quimcunx
imprimeo, lamino, distribuo
Try a brixton library pod.
The job hunting support thread
- Thread starter Cloo
- Start date
Try a brixton library pod.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
I think there are some quiet corners upstairs in the Royal Festival Hall. Shouldn't be too busy during the day and it's a public building so no-one is going to move him on.
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
Also the National Theatre.
Skim
Well-Known Member
Depends on what the employer wants. Today, I sent over a CV for a job: they didn’t even want a covering letter/note. The day before, I did my first Civil Service application, which took hours, as I needed to provide a full supporting statement plus a very structured 250w example of “making effective decisions”.
I’ve applied for an average of one job a week over the past three months. Some have been easy, eg LinkedIn Quick Apply or flinging my CV to an agency. I now have a few decent supporting statements that I can edit depending on the job I’m applying for.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
hope it goes well. i have tried a few times but haven't really got the hang of the right form of BS for civil service. local authority i can do, but it seems to be a different language
newme
Giant in Pastyland now
STAR, because your ability to do your job is determined entirely by your ability to follow a preset format for how to talk about things in a panel interview. Regardless of how this is relatable to your actual job.
muscovyduck
Good IT skills and food hygiene competent
How long does it take for an enhanced DBS check to come through?
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
have a question. I’ve also asked this on the neurodiversity thread in N&S.
In a job description they have a list of essential or desirable requirements. Are they allowed to discriminate if your neurodivergence prevents you from fulfilling that requirement?
I’m guessing the answer is just ‘it depends’, so I’ll give you the exact issue here. One of the requirements of a job I’m applying for is ‘you will be adaptable and flexible to changes in workloads, locations and hours.’
I’m actually looking for a job which is just in one place and with either regular working hours (same hours and arrival/leaving time every time or flexitime, so I don’t have to be ‘on time’ as long as I do the the hours. But my organisation is skint and clearly wanting people who are flexible so they can push em around to fulfil several roles if necessary.
It might be just bumf that they have to put on the JD so they’ve covered everything (they are trying to fulfil 3 roles each of which seem to be performing different duties) and the flexibility may be negotiable. But it’s a bit disheartening when my habit of catastrophising means I think this clearly indicates that they don’t want people like me - neurodivergent and preferring to specialise rather than be Jack of all trades master of none.
So, is it ok to be so vague in job descriptions and when people like me need a clearer one?
In a job description they have a list of essential or desirable requirements. Are they allowed to discriminate if your neurodivergence prevents you from fulfilling that requirement?
I’m guessing the answer is just ‘it depends’, so I’ll give you the exact issue here. One of the requirements of a job I’m applying for is ‘you will be adaptable and flexible to changes in workloads, locations and hours.’
I’m actually looking for a job which is just in one place and with either regular working hours (same hours and arrival/leaving time every time or flexitime, so I don’t have to be ‘on time’ as long as I do the the hours. But my organisation is skint and clearly wanting people who are flexible so they can push em around to fulfil several roles if necessary.
It might be just bumf that they have to put on the JD so they’ve covered everything (they are trying to fulfil 3 roles each of which seem to be performing different duties) and the flexibility may be negotiable. But it’s a bit disheartening when my habit of catastrophising means I think this clearly indicates that they don’t want people like me - neurodivergent and preferring to specialise rather than be Jack of all trades master of none.
So, is it ok to be so vague in job descriptions and when people like me need a clearer one?
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
it's difficult to give a clear answer on that, as the requirement under the disability discrimination bits of the equalities act is 'reasonable adjustments', and it's a question of what, from a legal perspective is 'reasonable' and what are genuine requirements of the job.
and think there is case law that says an employer can only be expected to make adjustments if you've declared a disability / condition to them.
as an extreme (and from my line of country) if someone does not pass DVLA's eyesight requirements to hold a bus / coach driving licence, then there's no reasonable adjustment that a bus company could make to employ that person as a bus driver.
it's a while since i have been a union rep, and neurodiversity wasn't really something on the radar where i was / then.
is this the sort of situation where you're having to apply for a new role as part of a reorganisation / redundancy process, or a role you've seen advertised and are thinking of going for?
if the purpose of this role is to be a 'relief' sort of role that can go and fill gaps for holidays / sickness / unexpected peaks, then i guess that a degree of flexibility and mobility is probably a genuine requirement of the job, and maybe it's just that this particular job is not for you.
or is it that any job at this grade has that requirement? or are management just trying to push everyone on to a generic job description? then it might be questionable.
if it is part of a reorganisation / redundancy situation, then might be worth a word with the union (may be something for a disability officer at branch / region office rather than local rep, although think it would be courtesy to talk to local rep first)
my general stance where not sure whether to apply for a job or not is to keep your options open and apply - unless you're in the kind of organisation where it's going to be held against you, then is it that big a deal if you don't get it (or even decline it if offered it)?
Sapphireblue
Well-Known Member
it's worth noting that often a job description includes stuff that is absolutely not important to the actual job once you get it. so i wouldn't let that put you off applying in the first place.
then if you get an interview, assuming they don't bring it up themselves, when you get to the any questions bit at the end this is when you'd ask: 'so the job description included a bit about being adaptable and flexible to changes in workloads, locations and hours, is it likely that the job location or hours would change often?'
and then once you get your answer then it's time to consider whether or not this will be an issue and whether it's worth bringing up reasonable adjustments.
muscovyduck
Good IT skills and food hygiene competent
First job interview of this current search tomorrow. It's one that's kind of adjacent to what I'm doing already but a step up a different career ladder. Fingers crossed
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
hope it goes well
Skim
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I’ve done three applications now and quite enjoy writing in the STAR format, because it’s just a formula that can follow. Talking in STAR during an interview will be more of a challenge.
I’ve managed to get shortlisted for another job (not civil service but public sector). I need to give a ten-minute presentation, which will be the easy part because that’s one of my strengths. My weakness is going off-topic when responding to a question!
Artaxerxes
Look out, he's got a gnu!
Handed my notice in, it’s been a month of really tough anxiety doing so and “am I making the right choice” but I’ve done it.
My old boss from here basically shanghaied me into leaving by throwing money at me and telling me to just go work for him so the new jobs been basically guaranteed but my health my anxiety and general level of coziness doing what I can to avoid stress or responsibility has made it very hard to do so.
My old boss from here basically shanghaied me into leaving by throwing money at me and telling me to just go work for him so the new jobs been basically guaranteed but my health my anxiety and general level of coziness doing what I can to avoid stress or responsibility has made it very hard to do so.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
UPDATE:
I applied for this and have now been invited to the ‘next stage’.
Since then, a 37 hour job with the same job description has come up, so I’m also applying for that. Though the JD is the same, they’ve clearer about the actual position, which is an admin job in the library support service, doing the sort of thing that most people hate but I enjoy, so I’m going for that too.
Also, I had a stress risk assessment and was asked if I wanted to work at another site, instead of the three I currently work at. It’s ‘just’ a library, rather than a hub, which would suit me, and it’s a 7 mile cycle out of town, uphill a lot, which would be ideal for my fitness. Though it is in gammon country and is attached to a leisure centre, so has a slight whiff of chlorine and has the air of a secondary attraction rather than a proper community library, so am in two minds. Though if anything it’s made me more determined to get this newly advertised job.
Dunno if I should just use the same application as the one I just applied for as it’s the same JD. Will have a look and see if I can tweak it towards the more specific role.
But go me! Job opportunities are like buses etc
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I've been applying for jobs since November. My contract was abruptly terminated last December, just before Christmas, because the woman I worked was a bully. I've applied for lots of jobs, had quite a few interviews (including three interviews and a presentation for a start-up that decided I wasn't through to the next round). I've been contacted by recruiters who say I'm a good fit for a role but then the hiring manager decides I'm not.
I've tired of having my hope raised and then dashed. Jobhunting is exhausting.
I've tired of having my hope raised and then dashed. Jobhunting is exhausting.
weltweit
Well-Known Member
It certainly is, you just have to be relentless I am afraid.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
i'd say yes, if there's aspects of the job that are different and where you having experience of them / liking them might make the difference.
Job opportunities are like buses etc
hope there's good news soon.
and hope it doesn't end up with the situation where you've applied for more than one job, and the one that's your least preferred option offers first and wants a quick decision...
just wonder if your fairly short time in your last job - and what 'spin' you are putting on it - might just be part of it.
i was slightly surprised that i managed to escape a 'wrong' job a year or so back, and it can be a difficult situation to sell your way out of.
i'm not quite sure what you do, but is getting temporary work an option? then the last one could be hidden better among temporary jobs?
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Yes, I am starting to wonder that too. I've tweaked my LinkedIn a little bit to make it less obvious. I have been honest with why it's so short but ...i'd say yes, if there's aspects of the job that are different and where you having experience of them / liking them might make the difference.
hope there's good news soon.
and hope it doesn't end up with the situation where you've applied for more than one job, and the one that's your least preferred option offers first and wants a quick decision...
just wonder if your fairly short time in your last job - and what 'spin' you are putting on it - might just be part of it.
i was slightly surprised that i managed to escape a 'wrong' job a year or so back, and it can be a difficult situation to sell your way out of.
i'm not quite sure what you do, but is getting temporary work an option? then the last one could be hidden better among temporary jobs?
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
it's one of those situations where outright lying is not a good idea, but being completely honest also might not be
akin to a first date - even if your ex was a massive ratbag, saying so in too much detail is not a good idea...
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Puddy_Tat I have kept it simple so far saying something like 'the I was hired for wasn't the job I was expected to do' I have only told two recruiters about being bullied out of the job, both of whom have known me for some years.
If pressed for more information I have said that I made it clear throughout the hiring process that I didn't have X skillset, yet that was most of what the job entailed.
savoloysam
Pigman's pigman's ha ha charade you are..
Apply for both and go by your gut 
nst
I'm not a fan of LinkedIn at all. It has just as much potential for harm than it does good plus they were nothing but jobsite profile phishers when they got started.
nstI'm not a fan of LinkedIn at all. It has just as much potential for harm than it does good plus they were nothing but jobsite profile phishers when they got started.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
Don't get me wrong, it's definitely evolved over the 15 years I've been using it. First an old employer insisted we all have a profile because they were a new organisation, so I put the bare minimum. I don't post much, mainly keeping up with contacts and posting the occasional commentary on their posts and articles.Apply for both and go by your gut
I'm not a fan of LinkedIn at all. It has just as much potential for harm than it does good plus they were nothing but jobsite profile phishers when they got started.
There's also a trend more towards a Facebook style with lots of non-work posts popping up from time to time.
But I have gotten jobs through recruiters who have contacted me first. So it seems to be a necessary evil right now.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
I’m on it, but have bit found it useful - probs just cos of the sector I work in
ruffneck23
front left
Just applied for a job at the council (IT related) hopefully this one will come to something.
It's been months now and I'm actually someone who wants to work and is pretty good at what I do (imo) , it's so infuriating and it's affecting my confidence.
It's been months now and I'm actually someone who wants to work and is pretty good at what I do (imo) , it's so infuriating and it's affecting my confidence.
equationgirl
Respect my existence or expect my resistance
I hear that, have a solidarity fistbump.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
hope it goes well
are you used to the local authority style of applications / interviews? usually asking for examples of situations where you have done things that match the person specification. it can catch people out if they aren't used to it.
can go in to more detail if you want.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
in news here, the local but fixed term (2 years-ish) thing round here that i was seriously considering in the autumn when my job looked a bit insecure, got an e-mail from the manager involved this week saying they didn't manage to appoint (think they advertised it 3 times) and was i still looking.
hmm.
it's local authority so they would (probably) have to advertise again. but it's a grade or two higher than i'm on now.
the job i'm in is (on paper) permanent, although a particular current stream of government money (which is also funding the local job) is only certain until mid 2025, and there's going to be a general election before then so who knows what the situation will be by then.
if i was a bit younger and could risk another short term job on the CV, or a bit older and could embrace semi-retirement by then, i might do.
i'm inclined to stay put where i am (job-wise) and say no thanks.
meh.
hmm.
it's local authority so they would (probably) have to advertise again. but it's a grade or two higher than i'm on now.
the job i'm in is (on paper) permanent, although a particular current stream of government money (which is also funding the local job) is only certain until mid 2025, and there's going to be a general election before then so who knows what the situation will be by then.
if i was a bit younger and could risk another short term job on the CV, or a bit older and could embrace semi-retirement by then, i might do.
i'm inclined to stay put where i am (job-wise) and say no thanks.
meh.
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