Having recently spoken with an organisation looking to recruit some staff and the standard of applications received, I thought lets see what others think about how people apply for jobs.
The organisation I spoke with were looking for general staff, the advertisement was specific in what they were looking for; experience in the sector, a high of communication (written and oral), ability to be flexible in hours.
The applications the received were, without being too blunt – poor. Not the people, but the way in which the applications were written, many used what you’d expect in a text message on your phone “Hi, I c u r looking 4 staff …. ” and that was only the covering email/letter. Do people not read ads before applying for roles?
Then you get to the CV – they’re generally filled with “fluff” such as “I’m dependable, articulate and have a high standard of righting etc … ” (no that wasn’t a spelling mistake.)
Come on, if you can’t if you can’t even write proper like – how can you say you have a hight standard?
And, why do people want to show what they look like, photos are a waste of time – people want to know what you can do, what your experience is, not what you look like. And hey, ladies if you must include a photo, please – no cleavage shots, unless of course you going for a role that requires you to be busty. And, on that note, why does it only seem to be women who include a photo?
Employers want to know your experience, skills and what drives you, they don’t want to know that you’re a size 8 … that you know how to apply eyeliner – they want to know that what you have to offer fits the role.
What’s your experience when it comes to employing new staff?
Are you finding it a challenge to read applications? Getting distracted by photos and the endless waffle some seem to think might help them gain an interview?
I’m sure there are some organisations and recruiters out there who can shed some light on what applicants should and shouldn’t include when applying … would be great to hear your thoughts.
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