Unsucessful at shortlisting stage would like feedback

74jax

A lot of people who fill out online forms at our work must do so on an iPad or phone as we get lots with no capitals so postcodes are xy12 3ab. I don't put them forward. The name of my company is easily spelt wrong. Again I don't put forward any not correct. We get so many applications we have to shortlist on anything we can. I also don't look at CVS. So if the application form says 'see cv' I don't shortlist. With a 100 forms, I want the information there and then.

bouicca21

Next time take the job spec and person description together with your application and get a friend to look over it.

You need to tailor your application to the requirements specified. It's useful to the sifters if you go through point by point, and probably not in essay style. Write in standard English and make sure you use correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. The sifters will look for a match for each item in the person description and will score applicants accordingly.

Of course if you get to interview you will have to have more up your sleeve - examples of real life situations that back up your claims ...

Savvy_Sue

bouicca21 wrote: »

Of course if you get to interview you will have to have more up your sleeve - examples of real life situations that back up your claims ...

Better yet, get some real life examples into your application ...

For example, "I have 2 years' retail experience" is not as strong as "I have 2 years' retail experience, including stock control and some window display, and preparing floats and tills for the start of each day". Just as an example, it's been a long time since my Saturday job at the Coop ... but the staff at our local Waitrose were all assembling Christmas decorations after hours tonight!

pandora205

Any tips on how to structure application supporting statement
I wrote essay style, but will try and work a version with headings based on person spec so what I have is clearly demonstrated[/QUOTE]

Use headings and write in paragraphs to match the Job Description/Person Spec. It makes it much easier for the short-listers and also for interview, as often the questions are structured to tap into each of these. Include examples from your previous experience and/or studies to support each point. Do your homework on the organisation to be sure you understand how the job fits in to the broader remit.

Proof read the application very carefully before sending. Be very picky with grammar and spelling, e.g. caution in use of acronyms and technical vocabulary, no split infinitives or sentences ending in prepositions, etc.

bb69

pandora205 wrote: »

Any tips on how to structure application supporting statement
I wrote essay style, but will try and work a version with headings based on person spec so what I have is clearly demonstrated

Use headings and write in paragraphs to match the Job Description/Person Spec. It makes it much easier for the short-listers and also for interview, as often the questions are structured to tap into each of these. Include examples from your previous experience and/or studies to support each point. Do your homework on the organisation to be sure you understand how the job fits in to the broader remit.

Proof read the application very carefully before sending. Be very picky with grammar and spelling, e.g. caution in use of acronyms and technical vocabulary, no split infinitives or sentences ending in prepositions, etc.[/QUOTE]

Thanks - I wrote in paragraphs but didn't use headings - I gave lots of examples too but will definitely make a start on redoing it

Savvy_Sue

bb69 wrote: »

Thanks - I wrote in paragraphs but didn't use headings - I gave lots of examples too but will definitely make a start on redoing it

I'm starting to hear alarm bells ringing of applications which are Just Too Long ...

I know, it's a fine balance, and I'd hate to have to start making applications now. No more than ONE example for each point you're trying to cover (which may be what you did), and keep it brief. Make it really easy for the shortlisting team to tick the boxes on their grid! Educational qualifications: tick. 2 years' experience in an office / shop / pub: tick. 1 year's experience managing a staff team: tick. Able to use your own initiative: example in 2 short sentences, tick.

A CV, I was always told, should be no more than 2 sides of A4 (although how I'd do that I'm not quite sure, not if you want a full employment history from me), but we used to get applications where the 'tell us anything else you want to' space would go on for 6 or more pages trying to cover all the bases.

I know not everyone does it this way, but we've started customising our application forms for each vacancy, and we give a word limit for each 'free' question. So, 150 words on why you'd like to work for us as our Chief Bottle Washer. 200 words on what skills you'd bring to our team as Chief Bottle Washer to help our customers feel loved and cherished and wanting to come again. 300 words on what you'd do if the Deputy Chief Bottle Washer forcefully asked the Trainee Bottle Washer to re-do some bottles, and the TBW told the DCBW to bottle off in a customer's hearing. It's made our shortlisting MUCH easier!

bouicca21

The sifters don't want to spend all day reading the application. As Savvy Sue says they just want to go through quickly and tick off the criteria, especially if it is the sort of job that attracts lots of applicants. Almost any job will have some requirement for communication skills, if your cv/application is rambling, long and boring then it pretty well demonstrates a lack of those skills. Reject pile straightaway.

Besides with examples you need something in reserve for the interview. A classic in any customer facing job is customer service. On the cv/application you naturally write something about dealing with the public and In what capacity. Interview questions will explore that further, probably asking for a time when you dealt with a difficult customer. Have a good story ready ...

TBagpuss

I se you have already sent a request to the company so it is now a moot point, but for future reference I'd say few employers are going to be in a position to provide feedback if you don't reach interview stage.

If you are interviewed but not offered the job then you are more likely to get a response if you ask for feedback, as they will have fewer people reaching that stage, and will be more likely to have taken notes and have specifc records of why they reached their decision.

I agree with the previous poster who said that a CV should not normally be more than 2 sides of A4 and should be laid out so that you make it as easy as possible for the employer to see the information relevant to the applciation you are actually making.

detectivebox

Sounds very much like how the Civil Service deal with applicants - lots of posts available, lots of applicants, and they won't provide feedback unless it's post-interview. It's usually because they have so many applicants and aren't just dealing with that vacancy but other vacancies too.

I've been in exactly the same position as you - applied for jobs that were perfect for me, that I was fully qualified for and had plenty of experience for, but didn't even get an interview. It's tough, and it's very frustrating.

My advice would be, don't copy in the boss, ask HR for feedback - if they provide you with it then great, if not, just move on and don't dwell on it. There will be other jobs and vacancies that come up, it's part of the process.

But, I feel for you - it is frustrating.

Fireflyaway

I guess its as simple as the other candidates were better in thier eyes but its just too time consuming to expect a recruiter to explain why. Check your CV, get someone to check over your future applications etc but move on.
Another thing..... Not nice but some applications might not be shortlisted due to the recruiting officers own prejudice! I have seen people not be short listed due to age, foreign sounding names etc. Yes that's illegal but it happens and they will never admit it!