Job application forms

[paulears]

I've got three totally different styles of CV on the go for different uses. What makes me smile is that some of the firms I do work for want them updated each year, as some kind of policy. One insist their self employed people must show evidence of continual professional development, yet they changed their policy on providing training themselves to not doing it at all. They are very waspy about you working for competitors, but many of the younger people include the competitor's name as the training provider. Think about a St. John ambulance member getting trained by Red Cross! Last year I told the truth and named my training provider, and in the last year have done one job for them. Sometimes CVs perhaps need sanitising for certain jobs!

[adam2]

To add to the points already made, I consider it likely that some of the poorly written or incomplete job applications may be from people who don't really want the job, or know that they are unlikely to be suitable.

 

Those claiming jobseekers allowance are often expected to apply for a certain number of jobs each week, even if there are no or very few suitable positions available. Being able to state that "I have sent my CV to 10 potential employers this week" ticks the box and allows continued benefit payment.

 

 

 

 

 

[andyb_work]

I know this post is 10 years old but I guess it holds true these day as well, but, have you ever considered what those people have to go through filling in several application forms a day?

 

Here's the other side of the coin for you.

 

I read through your job description which is perfect for me and find that I need to send my CV toyou@acompany. A CV I have painstakingly itemised my career in the industry and concisely produced onto two A4 pages.

 

Severaldays later through snail mail, an envelope arrives which you@acompanyhas addressed to me using my name and address you got from my CV.

 

I open the envelope to find an application form and cover letter starting with "Dear Sir/Madam". Dear Sir/Madam? You wrote my name on the envelope you got from the CV you requested.

 

I read on to find you've copied and pasted all the information about the advertised job I've already read on the job description you posted on-line. You also instruct me not to copy and paste from my CV and to write it all down on your application form.

 

On to the application form itself, and the first question is "Name"My name was on my CV, you wrote it on the envelope remember.

 

The second question is "Address"Again my address was on my CV, you wrote that on the envelope too,with my name, remember.

 

The role specific, show how and expanding on questions are the important ones which need to be filled in, but then comes listing all the previous experience, previous companies worked for, qualifications, schools and colleges attended,grades achieved, all with dates and references.

 

Did you actually read past the name and address bit on my CV? because all that information on my CV which I have painstakingly itemised my career in the industry and concisely produced onto two A4 pages for YOUR benefit, and YOU requested it in the first place.

 

As this is just an application form for an interview for a job, why do you need at this stage to know my nationality, national insurance number, bank details, next of kin, gender, sexual orientation,marital status and ethnic origin. They are all questions for your HR department AFTER I have accepted the job role.

 

And finally, in some cases I have been told that the role is subject to a CRB check at my expense regardless of success. Firstly, unless I would be working with children or vulnerable adults, requesting a CRB check is illegal, and secondly, you want a CRB check, you pay for it.

 

If you don't want to use a candidates CV as part of their application process, don't request it. And if you can't use anon-line application process incorporating their CV, don't advertise on-line. Why in this day and age are we still reverting to paper application forms and snail mail.

 

So please spare a thought for the poor sods trying to get work, having to fill in up to 20 application forms per week, repeating the same information over and over and over again in a multitude of formats and platforms, and 99% of the time, never getting a simple "Thanks but no thanks".

 

Rant over.

Edited April 10, 2016 by andyb_work

[david.elsbury]

I open the envelope to find an application form and cover letter starting with "Dear Sir/Madam". Dear Sir/Madam? You wrote my name on the envelope you got from the CV you requested.

To be fair unless your CV stated your gender in this day and age it's not really reasonable to make assumptions, because you'll just **** someone off by getting it wrong.

[djw1981]

But if you have given them your name then they could start 'Dear David'

[david.elsbury]

True, good point :)

[andyb_work]

I open the envelope to find an application form and cover letter starting with "Dear Sir/Madam". Dear Sir/Madam? You wrote my name on the envelope you got from the CV you requested.

To be fair unless your CV stated your gender in this day and age it's not really reasonable to make assumptions, because you'll just **** someone off by getting it wrong.

 

I've never met a woman called David. Have you, Miss Elsbury!!!

[david.elsbury]

I open the envelope to find an application form and cover letter starting with "Dear Sir/Madam". Dear Sir/Madam? You wrote my name on the envelope you got from the CV you requested.

To be fair unless your CV stated your gender in this day and age it's not really reasonable to make assumptions, because you'll just **** someone off by getting it wrong.

 

I've never met a woman called David. Have you, Miss Elsbury!!!

No, but since you seem intent on being a smarta**e, there are gender neutral names like Sam, and it's easier just to not assume.

 

...

[alistermorton]

Quite - what gender could you assume for the names Robin and Kim, for example?

[kerry davies]

Oi, you lot. Are you having a go? Even people I have spoken to on the phone have then written to me as Ms.

[alistermorton]

I'm sorry, I have a cold.

[kitlane]

I'm sorry, I have a cold.

 

I wish to make a complaint.

 

'Kit' confuses people as well.

[MarkPAman]

Anybody care to speculate on my sister-in-law's children Charlie & Freddie?

[alistermorton]

Charlie is often a contraction of Charlotte. Freddie could be Frederica?

[MarkPAman]

Indeed, and If I tell you that one is my niece & the other, my nephew, you've still only got 50% chance of being right http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif