What's the right question to ask?

Yazmina

There's a job I've seen advertised twice. I applied both times and didn't get through the sift, so no feedback. The third time the job was advertised I didn’t apply. It's now online again for the fourth time. Originally the advert was for three vacancies, then two, then one. It's now gone back up to two.
I want to contact the hiring manager to ask what it is they're looking for, but they'll probably say ‘what’s in the job advert’.


The hirer clearly has a problem but what’s the right question to ask to find out what was missing from my application and what they are obviously struggling to find?

KatrinaWaves

Go through the job spec and make sure your application explicitly states that you meet all the essential criteria and as much desirable as you can. Use examples of how you meet them wherever possible rather than just saying you meet it. Don’t leave anything as implied such as ‘they will know I can use word as this application is word processed. My A in maths GCSE will show I have good calculation skills’ Spell it out. Sifting is very often just box ticking.

Soot2006

Depending on the company/business there will be different answers to this.



I've had repeat applications though with open and honest cover letters. Many times a strong cover letter has encouraged me to call someone in for an interview to them a chance to explain their position. Usually I'll do this if the other candidates are weak and this person seems interesting and worth out time. We tend to have at least one "wildcard" per interview cycle. Once they're in the room, it's all matrix box ticking ...

Savvy_Sue

It could be worth a phone call to the hiring manager, but bear in mind where I work that you could put repeat applications in and the managers would never see your name: we remove the personal information and they sift on what's left.

So if you decide to do this, think carefully about what you want to ask and politely see if they can give you some time because you are very keen to work for them (or something similar).

BTW, have you covered the basics: spelling and presentation? Your first post doesn't indicate any problems in that area, but if it's a hand-written application how is your handwriting, for example?

Yazmina

Gosh, I've not been back to this because I've got two interviews next week for two other jobs I went for! 😀😀

Anyway the job I referred to in the original post closes on Weds. If I can find the time I'll reapply (it's one of those long winded civil service ones). The applications are anonymised, so who knows if the hiring manager will recognise my examples from a few months ago! It's an online application, so no problems with presentation etc.

Thanks.