Requesting feedback if not shortlisted for interview

Margaret_Skinner

bap98189 wrote: »

Was the job a medical secretary or something similar? From my experience a lot of consultants still dictate notes, which are typed up by someone else later, so audio typing would be an important skill.

Yes it was and it was a 24 hour unit so it makes sense that audio would be a large part of the work but it still doesn't correlate that I got an interview for a very similar job around a month ago which also needed audio and it was virtually the same set of skills and experience I was presenting with. I think there must just have been a high volume of applications therefore they needed to be very strict with the criteria perhaps.

pandora205

As someone who shortlists candidates and conducts interviews, just to mention that the way we do this is using the Person Specification for the job. We sort applications initially by those meeting the essential criteria, followed by the desirable criteria. If we have quite a few we don't even read the content until we've done this.

So... if audio typing (or proficiency with Excel or whatever) is in the Person Spec it is expected that candidates will have it and mention this. Some aspects of the Person Spec can only be ascertained at interview, and these are the ones that interviews are designed to elicit.

The best applications have letters that address each point in the Person Spec in turn (ideally in the order on the form), giving examples. Qualifications are non-negotiable in many fields, so that is the first starting point.

Also be prepared to explain any gaps in your application or cv. Ig you spent a year travelling/caring for your grandmother/volunteering don't forget to say so!

Margaret_Skinner

pandora205 wrote: »

As someone who shortlists candidates and conducts interviews, just to mention that the way we do this is using the Person Specification for the job. We sort applications initially by those meeting the essential criteria, followed by the desirable criteria. If we have quite a few we don't even read the content until we've done this.

So... if audio typing (or proficiency with Excel or whatever) is in the Person Spec it is expected that candidates will have it and mention this. Some aspects of the Person Spec can only be ascertained at interview, and these are the ones that interviews are designed to elicit.

The best applications have letters that address each point in the Person Spec in turn (ideally in the order on the form), giving examples. Qualifications are non-negotiable in many fields, so that is the first starting point.

Also be prepared to explain any gaps in your application or cv. Ig you spent a year travelling/caring for your grandmother/volunteering don't forget to say so!

Thank you - that's really helpful.