My experience of recruiting new staff

Wozzie

Gavin83 wrote: »

I'm not sure what school you attend makes a huge difference, you either have the ability as a student or you don't. I think it's more to do with general maturity as you grow and a greater appreciation for education.

Oh believe me it makes a difference.

I had to switch schools due to domestic issues at home but because it was so late no schools would accept me, I was forced into a dirty little secret called Project 16 which was sold to me as a place which is very hands off where I'd be able to finish all my GCSEs.

Whilst true it was very hands off what they neglected to mention was that this was a prototype scheme for what would eventually become known as "Pupil Referal Units", most people now understand what these place are and the kind of kids who get sent to them but back then it was a zoo.

I was a good student, I was only there because of circumstances between my mum and my step-dad had gotten so out of hand that him following me home from school was a serious problem.

Nobody told me that my class mates would include kids who had seriously assulated other children and teachers, pregnant girls, a schizophrenic racist girl who had a penchant for spitting at people and drug addicts.

There were a couple of kids who simply didn't like going to school, but for the most part it was the kids nobody else could deal with and education was less of a priority. Keeping stabbings and rapes to a bare minimum is all they really cared about.

It !!!!es me off to no end that people look at me suspect because I have no GCSEs and a first class degree.

Edwood_Woodwood

poorlittlefish wrote: »

Is my experience of being a recruiter being repeated all over the country or was I just unlucky?!

Advise your company to perhaps pay a better wage to attract a better candidate because I can bet that the wage offered for this "generic admin/customer service role" was peanuts.

What do they expect?

Dr_Teeth

Wozzie wrote: »

Nobody told me that my class mates would include kids who had seriously assulated other children and teachers, pregnant girls, a schizophrenic racist girl who had a penchant for spitting at people and drug addicts.

Why have you included pregnant girls in your list of undesirables? How do they affect your learning?

Acc72

Missme wrote: »

We have generations of kids, who received a sub-standard education who then go on to teach other kids.

I completely agree with the above.


Also, re: GCSE grades - I don't want to join the exam bashing brigade, however I have met young people with excellent GCSE grades (eg. 8 A's and B's) who were really poor at the basics of spelling and punctuation etc.

Gavin83

Wozzie wrote: »

Oh believe me it makes a difference.

I had to switch schools due to domestic issues at home but because it was so late no schools would accept me, I was forced into a dirty little secret called Project 16 which was sold to me as a place which is very hands off where I'd be able to could finish all my GCSEs.

Whilst true it was very hands off what they neglected to mention was that this was a prototype scheme for what would eventually become known as "Pupil Referal Units", most people now understand what these place are and the kind of kids who get sent to them but back then it was a zoo.

I was a good student, I was only there because of circumstances between my mum and my step-dad had gotten so out of hand that him following me home from school was a serious problem.

Nobody told me that my class mates would include kids who had seriously assulated other children and teachers, pregnant girls, a schizophrenic racist girl who had a penchant for spitting at people and drug addicts.

There were a couple of kids who simply didn't like going to school, but for the most part it was the kids nobody else could deal with and education was less of a priority. Keeping stabbings and rapes to a bare minimum is all they really cared about.

It !!!!es me off to no end that people look at me suspect because I have no GCSEs and a first class degree.

This is kind of an extreme example though, not many people attend these sort of establishments without reason. I was referring more to regular schools.

Besides I'm on your side here, I don't see anything suspicious about poor GCSE's but a good degree.

TBagpuss

I wouldn't see an issue with poor GCSE's and a good degree. It can reflect someone who was at a poor school, had other issues such as bullying to contend with, was bored - any number of things. I have to say that my question would be more along the lines of why anyone's GCSEs are relevant once they have A Levels, and why their A levels are relevant once they have a degree. It may be that there is a generic application form which requires them all, but on a CV I would simply expect to see something such as "12 GCSEs of C grade or above" or "10 GCSEs including Maths and English"

While I agree that there will be some applications by people who don't want the job but who feel they have to apply, I do think that there are a lot of people who have no idea how to make an appropriate application.

I remember interviewing someone for a job which they clearly, desperately wanted to get. Their application was not very good, but the post was a junior one where training would be given, and the application made it clear that the candidate *wanted* the job, and seemed willing to work, so we decided to invite them or an interview.

the person did not get the job in the end, and although in the letter we sent telling them they had not been successful we did offer to provide feedback the offer wasn't taken up, so we did not have the opportunity to let them know about the problems with their application, but it certainly wasn't down to not wanting the job.

(the application had poor spelling and grammar, the letter was handwritten on lined paper, there were some basic errors in the CV etc) I also had a work shadowing candidate (in their 2nd year of University) whose CV and application was terrible - again, fairly basic errors. On that case, I was able to explain to them at the end of their placement with me that had she been applying for a job, rather than requesting a work shadowing placement, her application would have been rejected at the first opportunity. I did give her some fairly detailed feedback. It was fairly obvious that she had been given little if any advice or recommendations from her school, or university. She was grateful for the feedback, and having had her in the office for a week at the time I spoke to her, I was also in a position to tell her that she presented far better in person, and had far more potential, than it would appear from her CV and letter.

When what I get is just a crappy application for a job I don't usually have the ime, or the relationship with the person, to be able to provide that kind of feedback, but I do feel sorry fr people who are applying and getting no-where, and who don't know why. I don't think it is a new thing, either. I know when I was applying for my first professional job, I was fortunate to be able to get feedback from my parents - my dad's job meant he was involved in some selection procedures. I don't recall having been given, or offered, any useful advice form any other source (and I was the kind of anxious student who did actually go to the careers office at University, voluntarily!)

And of course older job seekers may not realize how things have changed - I am sure that there are still people out there recommending sending a hand-written covering letter and a typed CV, to take just one basic example, or including marital status and date of birth on CVs.

Stephb1986_2

I've got qualifications in business administration and make sure before applying for a job that I'm actually able to do it and that my spelling is correct.

When going to an interview I dress smartly in black trousers a nice top and a black cardigan.

For some reason I'm currently finding it hard to get an interview it might be because there are so many applicants? I was offered two jobs a few months ago took one of them because it was more money, which was a big mistake as one of my colleagues started to bully me and I complained to my manager about it they sacked me instead of the person who was bullying me.

So now I'm back on the job market searching for the right job. The other job I was offered is still available but wasn't sure about calling the chap who interviewed me to see if it was possible for me to re-apply for the vacancy.

bugslet

I'd re-apply if I were you, what have you got to lose. Just say that the job you took up, was not as described rather than colleague bullying.

And not a criticism, but instead of a cardigan, try a jacket, just looks a bit smarter. I've even had drivers turn up in jacket and tie when applying for a job, it all helps.

Good luck.

dave4545454

bristol_pilot wrote: »

I have totally the opposite experience, I'm constantly amazed by the high quality of applicants. They ALL have a string of A/A* at GCSE, 4-5 A-grade A-levels, a first from a top university (often a PhD), a string of awards and prizes and well-prepared answers to competency-type questions. OP, I suggest you are simply not paying enough to attract good candidates and are just getting those seeking to avoid JSA sanctions.

Same here, they say there's a skills shortage in this country when the reality is the opposite and there are a lot of unemployed skilled and skilled people doing low skills jobs due to the total lack of jobs.

SBOSlayer

poorlittlefish wrote: »

I have recently had to advertise for a new member of staff and was shocked at the applications that I received:


- One-word answers to competency-based questions
- Spelling mistakes in almost every application ("proffesional" being a favourite)
- Sentences that made no sense whatsoever
- Lowercase letters used throughout
- Words abbreviated as if they were being used in a text message rather than a job application
- "Glamour" photos on CVs
- Failing to apply by the stated method

It really does depend on the level you are recruiting for.... some don't have academic qualifications. Although my University now states that it's a good idea to include a photo at the top of the page.. especially if it's a PR based job (discrimination anyone?), but yeah they have been indicating that is the best way to go.

The rest of it is surprising, but possibly they just haven't had the right help? I think a few spelling errors can be overlooked if the candidate is of excellent quality otherwise and performs well in the interview. Assuming the job doesn't require complete written competency.

Moreover, there maybe an issue with your particular recruitment processes/people just want to avoid JSA sanctions and/or those particular individuals have no experience with such questions. University teaches you how to learn and adapt to new environments. What it's not good at is putting it into practice. Not so great highers/GCSE's can be improved later on in life and I think it's bad that some companies use this as a benchmark; especially when the potential employee has degrees - some kids just don't enjoy school.

Soft skills is what it's all about now... Business Transformation in the Organisation... it's called. Communication, negotiation, persuasion, team-working... this is what employers are after when they refer to the shortage of skills in the UK. It's what i'm being taught just now as I wrap up my Masters.