We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
What does this mean on a person spec?
Comments
-
It is. Where it work they use it as a filter as the initial applications aren't read by the people doing the hiring or the actual interviewing, so the first stage is literally a box-ticking exercise - does the application mention 'x', 'y' and 'z'? If it does it's through, if it doesn't it's out.
I fell foul of this myself when my manager encouraged me to apply for an internal role. My application was rejected at the 'filter' stage and when I asked for feedback I was told that the only reason I didn't get through to interview was because I hadn't said that I had experience of 'x'. It didn't matter that I had used a number of other words that meant exactly the same thing. I hadn't written 'x' so they couldn't tick the 'x' box and so my application was rejected.
Bl00dy ridiculous isn't it - same at interview stage too! It's like one of those afternoon gameshows.0 -
Bl00dy ridiculous isn't it - same at interview stage too! It's like one of those afternoon gameshows.
I'm not good at interviews but am learning to play the game. At my last interview I was asked about confidentiality and I used Data Protection and Safeguarding in my answer. I threw ethics in too. I knew I had ticked the boxes for that answer at least.
I got really good feedback from that interview although sadly I didn't get the job. The feedback from the interview prior to that was that I 'wasn't human' and 'had no sense of humour'.:eek: I'll leave the Wonder Woman outfit at home next time and remember to crack some jokes! :rotfl:
My son advised me on my application forms - otherwise I would never have got to interview stage - and he advised me to mirror the language used in the person spec. I get interviews for most of the jobs I apply for, so it obviously works.3 stone down, 3 more to go0 -
I've just come across A, I, Q, W as codes for how person spec requirements will be assessed.
I think that's Application, Interview, Qualification (ie the bit of paper) but wonder about W and whether it is Witness (ie reference).
The W was placed against requirements (eg use of Word) which could be tested and also against qualities (eg tact).
Anyone with other ideas on this?0 -
noelphobic wrote: »I'm not good at interviews but am learning to play the game. At my last interview I was asked about confidentiality and I used Data Protection and Safeguarding in my answer. I threw ethics in too. I knew I had ticked the boxes for that answer at least.
I got really good feedback from that interview although sadly I didn't get the job. The feedback from the interview prior to that was that I 'wasn't human' and 'had no sense of humour'.:eek: I'll leave the Wonder Woman outfit at home next time and remember to crack some jokes! :rotfl:
My son advised me on my application forms - otherwise I would never have got to interview stage - and he advised me to mirror the language used in the person spec. I get interviews for most of the jobs I apply for, so it obviously works.
Just demonstrates how stupid feedback sometimes is really, doesn't it?
Using the words that an employer likes you to use is hardly demonstrating you are human, is it?
Not blaming you at all by the way - I'm just making a general observation.0 -
anamenottaken wrote: »I've just come across A, I, Q, W as codes for how person spec requirements will be assessed.
I think that's Application, Interview, Qualification (ie the bit of paper) but wonder about W and whether it is Witness (ie reference).
The W was placed against requirements (eg use of Word) which could be tested and also against qualities (eg tact).
Anyone with other ideas on this?
Work test?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 258.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards