The job hunting support thread

[Puddy_Tat]

I have just applied for a new job. They asked for name address Etc. and a few multi answer questions.
No questions about current role or qualifications, no CV or why I would be a good fit and I got rejected.

unusual.

I suspect I was declined to to either age or serious medical condition.

very

assuming we're talking UK law, they shouldn't be asking about age at all, and generally shouldn't be asking about health conditions etc at the application stage.

although suspicions about discrimination doesn't always translate to anything you can take action about...

 

[hash tag]

I've gone totally different and they ask date of birth and disability, ie do you have one. Technically yes, but it doesn't effect me doing anything.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I've gone totally different and they ask date of birth and disability, ie do you have one. Technically yes, but it doesn't effect me doing anything.

they should only ask at the pre-offer stage if you have any disabilities that mean you need any adjustments for the application / interview process.

with possible exceptions where a certain level of physical fitness where it's a genuine requirement of the job - for example if you're applying to be a train driver, think they ask at a fairly early stage if you're colour blind, as that's an absolute 'no'

and can't remember the last job application i did where a date of birth was asked for except possibly at the proof of identity (after offer), or joining the pension scheme, phase.

 

[Boudicca]

hash tag I got turned down for the census because I didn't pass the pschyographic questions. I think they were looking for blind obedience which I was unable to give them.

 

[Cloo]

I did say at the start of all this that if I hadn't found a job by about now I'd go for doing a marketing qualification but then I find myself thinking I don't really want to go in a marketing direction, it's just something that feels like a bit of a 'meh' area to be in and being an editor has more cachet ... but then if I stay on an editorial track I'm going to have difficulty ever earning much as much money as I've just been on as there isn't much that pays a whole load more, so I feel kind of torn.

 

[newme]

Was supposed to find out today about last job and have had nothing. They did put the interview back due to projects etc so I get it sort of but also come on.

 

[Cloo]

Was supposed to find out today about last job and have had nothing. They did put the interview back due to projects etc so I get it sort of but also come on.

Still no word from last week's final round I was supposed to hear about by end last week - at this rate it will be three final rounds that haven't been in touch to let me know I've not got it.

FFS, I get not replying to every application, but honestly once you've been to even one interview it's not going to take very long to tell people they're not being taken forward. And at final stage it's extra important as a candidate may have other offers on the table they may need to weigh up.

Been back in the breach applying for things today - got about 5 out though I think only 2 of them are really goers. Also just been going through the job pages of various businesses that might be in the right field which is kind of soul destroying. A lot of them do have email notification options but because I'm not looking at a core type role with a set title, like I'm not a Senior Surveyor or a HR executive or whatever, I don't necessarily know what keywords or job titles to put.

 

[newme]

Yeh some of mine ended up emailing me like a month after when I was in the last round. The last one they didn't even bother at all despite me being in the last 2.

I had a job title that was not recognised by any job site I found ever. Was a disaster trying to get into a role I was qualified but had no job title for. I had 3 different qualifications but my job history supported none of them since it was a basically gibberish title.

Job I wanted to apply to today rejected cvs on LinkedIn despite asking for them. Sent me to a dead link to apply. I fixed it and there was still no way to apply. Tried today and the entire website was offline Confirmed by isitdown or whatever its called. So much for levelling up projects. It was full remote and also based 8 miles away.

 

[a_chap]

I had a job title that was not recognised by any job site I found ever. Was a disaster trying to get into a role I was qualified but had no job title for. I had 3 different qualifications but my job history supported none of them since it was a basically gibberish title.

I also have a gibberish job title; one that means absolutely nothing to anyone outside the place I work in, so I simply made up a sensible job title in my CV instead.

And I realise that this may sound like heresy for all you 100% honest folk out there but CVs don't have to be completely accurate. In years gone by whole chunks of my CV were almost entirely fictional. It doesn't matter. The CV is simply to get you the interview. Make sure it matches as closely as possible to what they say they are looking for.

Companies never go back two or three jobs to check the veracity of what you put.

Edited to fix gibberish typos

 

[Cloo]

Yeh some of mine ended up emailing me like a month after when I was in the last round. The last one they didn't even bother at all despite me being in the last 2.

I had a job title that was not recognised by any job site I found ever. Was a disaster trying to get into a role I was qualified but had no job title for. I had 3 different qualifications but my job history supported none of them since it was a basically gibberish title.

Job I wanted to apply to today rejected cvs on LinkedIn despite asking for them. Sent me to a dead link to apply. I fixed it and there was still no way to apply. Tried today and the entire website was offline Confirmed by isitdown or whatever its called. So much for levelling up projects. It was full remote and also based 8 miles away.

I applied to one today that didn't have a proper job description because under 'Job' and 'Experience' both times it said 'Copy from Job Description' - ooops! But from the title it sounded apt and I pointed out in covering letter that they had left out the actual JD but I figured I might be of help to them. Maybe it was a test?!

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I applied to one today that didn't have a proper job description because under 'Job' and 'Experience' both times it said 'Copy from Job Description' - ooops! But from the title it sounded apt and I pointed out in covering letter that they had left out the actual JD but I figured I might be of help to them. Maybe it was a test?!

did they advert say anything about attention to detail being a key requirement?

Was supposed to find out today about last job and have had nothing. They did put the interview back due to projects etc so I get it sort of but also come on.

it always takes longer than they say it's going to.

except when they never get back to you at all...

Job I wanted to apply to today rejected cvs on LinkedIn despite asking for them. Sent me to a dead link to apply. I fixed it and there was still no way to apply. Tried today and the entire website was offline Confirmed by isitdown or whatever its called. So much for levelling up projects. It was full remote and also based 8 miles away.

at least that means no other bugger will have applied for it today - are you going to miss the closing date? even if so, may be worth trying to make contact and saying that it's been impossible to apply online

in other news, i'm contemplating something civil service - a grade higher than the last one (so nearer where i'm at now) and central london - it's do-able from here on 3 days a week basis (and short term might work to do 2 days a week together and stay at mum-tat's overnight between the two) but would make moving back to london practical.

just a bit meh about the whole thing.

thought the verbal test thing was bollocks and i'd buggered it up, but it said i'd done better than 97% of people who'd done it (so most of the answers were 'can't tell if it's true or false from the information provided')

 

[Artaxerxes]

Ugh

 

[Skim]

Got the job

I don’t think I’ve ever put as much prep into any application as much as I did for this one. Spent hours on the STAR stories, mapping them against the competencies for the grade I wanted to get promoted to. Lots of work, but it paid off. Very glad to be on the other side of the process. Now I can relax… until the reality of new responsibilities and back-to-back meetings hits

 

[RubyToogood]

Got the job

I don’t think I’ve ever put as much prep into any application as much as I did for this one. Spent hours on the STAR stories, mapping them against the competencies for the grade I wanted to get promoted to. Lots of work, but it paid off. Very glad to be on the other side of the process. Now I can relax… until the reality of new responsibilities and back-to-back meetings hits

I'm really pleased it worked for you.

I've got to say I don't think I could have predicted any of the STAR questions I've been asked from the job/person spec etc in any of my interviews. They all seemed to be from nowhere.

 

[Cloo]

I also gibberish job title; one that means absolutely nothing to anyone outside the place I work in, so I simply made up a sensible job title in my CV instead.

And I realise that this may sound like heresy for all you 100% honest folk out there but CVs don't have to be completely accurate. In years gone by whole chunks of my CV were almost entirely fictional. It doesn't matter. The CV is simply to get you the interview. Make sure it matches as closely as possible to what they say they are looking for.

Companies never go back two or three jobs to check the veracity of what you put.

I'm definitely going to have to embellish my management experience from 2020-22 somewhat for my interview next week, so I am transposing some issues that I did deal with even though I wasn't a line manager of person in question. But person in question is a good example of 'difficult colleague'. Basically I managed two people, one who was just amazing at everything and frankly I am still in awe of even though she's 10 years younger than me; the other a guy I'm sure was on autism spectrum so presented challenges of getting out of comfort zone/reluctance about making decisions without checking with someone. I had a co-editor who I didn't manage but I did sort of outrank her on the publication we worked on and there were some tales of interpersonal conflict (not with me) that I can capitalise on.

I think I might make up some scenario about setting some amazing goal for really brilliant report if there's a question about 'stretching someone's goals' or effectively managing a person who is really good, which I can imagine being possible.

 

[Skim]

I'm really pleased it worked for you.

I've got to say I don't think I could have predicted any of the STAR questions I've been asked from the job/person spec etc in any of my interviews. They all seemed to be from nowhere.

I don’t know loads about civil service interviews, but I thought that they tell you before the interview that you will be interviewed on behaviours such as ‘delivering at pace’ or whatever?

I’ve never had a civil service interview, though: have only been through CS applications where I had to write about two of the behaviours from the Success Profiles in my supporting statement.

It would be so much easier if interviews gave candidates a general idea of the topics that will be covered in the interview. Or just send the questions beforehand. This happened to me when I applied for a charity job last year. It made preparation so much easier, even though I didn’t get the job in the end.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Ugh

assuming that wasn't a specific response to my previous post, i agree

 

[Artaxerxes]

assuming that wasn't a specific response to my previous post, i agree

No it’s just job hunting is getting to me a bit

 

[RubyToogood]

I don’t know loads about civil service interviews, but I thought that they tell you before the interview that you will be interviewed on behaviours such as ‘delivering at pace’ or whatever?

I’ve never had a civil service interview, though: have only been through CS applications where I had to write about two of the behaviours from the Success Profiles in my supporting statement.

It would be so much easier if interviews gave candidates a general idea of the topics that will be covered in the interview. Or just send the questions beforehand. This happened to me when I applied for a charity job last year. It made preparation so much easier, even though I didn’t get the job in the end.

I am going to ask for the questions beforehand next time. A colleague who got a CS job recently was given the questions in advance. What with meno-memory and being from a different context it's just a struggle to do all the recall and lateral thinking on the spot.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

i'm not sure i've ever encountered the concept of interview questions being put out in advance of the interview as a matter of routine. The only time i've known it happen was when a dodgy manager gave a copy of the interview questions in advance to a favoured candidate, who didn't realise it was dodgy and shared them with someone else and then the shit hit the fan...

they ought of course to bear some resemblance to skills / experience etc that they have asked for in the job description etc.

 

[cesare]

Got the job

I don’t think I’ve ever put as much prep into any application as much as I did for this one. Spent hours on the STAR stories, mapping them against the competencies for the grade I wanted to get promoted to. Lots of work, but it paid off. Very glad to be on the other side of the process. Now I can relax… until the reality of new responsibilities and back-to-back meetings hits

Ooo congrats

 

[newme]

I also have a gibberish job title; one that means absolutely nothing to anyone outside the place I work in, so I simply made up a sensible job title in my CV instead.

And I realise that this may sound like heresy for all you 100% honest folk out there but CVs don't have to be completely accurate. In years gone by whole chunks of my CV were almost entirely fictional. It doesn't matter. The CV is simply to get you the interview. Make sure it matches as closely as possible to what they say they are looking for.

Companies never go back two or three jobs to check the veracity of what you put.

Edited to fix gibberish typos

Mine was entirely unique, searching google for it just picks up my linkedin profile. Oddly enough if you search my actual name its not even on the first page so somehow my most identifying online footprint. Not actually all that niche a job, just an odd title choice to make one up.
My last job they absolutely did want to go back 2 jobs, to where I was for 5 years. Not only for a date check reference but my ex line manager from two jobs ago was asked to write a full one. Was like half a page of A4 which I was surprised they did since it was from a local council. Then that had to go to some board or other since they had been invested in by one of the stanley financial places, morgan or whatever the other one is. They also checked the job titles, tho I doubt they would ensure the responsibilities/skills/alleged achievements really as no one is getting paid for that.

 

[Cloo]

No it’s just job hunting is getting to me a bit

I sympathise, it's exactly where I am today

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Yeh some of mine ended up emailing me like a month after when I was in the last round. The last one they didn't even bother at all despite me being in the last 2.

I had a job title that was not recognised by any job site I found ever. Was a disaster trying to get into a role I was qualified but had no job title for. I had 3 different qualifications but my job history supported none of them since it was a basically gibberish title.

Job I wanted to apply to today rejected cvs on LinkedIn despite asking for them. Sent me to a dead link to apply. I fixed it and there was still no way to apply. Tried today and the entire website was offline Confirmed by isitdown or whatever its called. So much for levelling up projects. It was full remote and also based 8 miles away.

Is the office easily accessible by car/public transport? In that kind of scenario, with it being that close, I'd be tempted to hand-deliver a CV. (Providing I could get my printer to work! )

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Skim Congratulations!

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I think ghosting candidates after an actual job interview is awful. It would be a red flag as I wouldn't want to apply to or work for a company that did that to candidates.

But I suppose the snag is that if you're the successful candidate, you don't know how shittily they've treated the unsuccessful ones.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I think ghosting candidates after an actual job interview is awful. It would be a red flag as I wouldn't want to apply to a company who did that to candidates.

i think it's only happened to me once (must be about 5 years ago now), and it was quite a weird interview (think i've mentioned it before). i don't know if i misinterpreted it, or whether it's a particular approach to doing interviewing, or whether he was just a twat, but manager seemed pretty hostile from the off, two or three questions i answered, then he more or less said 'no, the right answer is [pretty much what i'd just said]' - some of it might be that he fairly obviously wasn't a native english speaker, so there might have been slight difficulties understanding each other, but hmm.

organisation in question seems to have been advertising frequently for people for that role since then as well. (not helped by making it essential / desirable that people have experience of using a particular specialist software that i don't think anyone else in the UK uses) - not that i have sought out work with them, just that i'm in a bit of a specialist niche so i've noticed it...

 

[newme]

Is the office easily accessible by car/public transport? In that kind of scenario, with it being that close, I'd be tempted to hand-deliver a CV. (Providing I could get my printer to work! )

I messaged them about it on linkedin, where I had already actually applied.... They sent me off to fill in 3 huge forms on their website then an address to email them too. Seems bizarre as you still can't actually see this email address anywhere on their website. Did see its actually a 5 year contract and while lower salary than some others was also only 30 hours a week. So thats me today filling in all that.

Still not heard anything from the one who were supposed to decide by Monday, can't think thats good news and why I sat there putting in more yesterday while waiting for an email or phone, certainly seen it where they don't let unsuccessful candidates know til quite some time after. Seems weird to me to not do it all at the same time when its just whoever got to interview left and a few clicks for send rejected template.

Finally managed to get into the council website, the job that was supposed to be advertised until the 23rd is now missing as are several others I looked at. Basically fuck all on it now as usual.

 

[Cloo]

Feeling a bit better as the 'trawling employers' websites' thing has turned up something good (and surprisingly well paid) at a built environment organisation I used to work next door to and know fairly well. I'd expect an interview from that one. Also, something interesting I thought I might annoyingly have missed due to being away last week and said it was closed for applications yesterday seems to be online again. It's on the senior side but worth a go so I'm about to do that one, then lunch, then starting to write up notes for next week's Epic Interview.

Have emailed job I'm leaving about returning equipment and to confirm I can expect all extra payments with this payroll - going to do that Monday week so it's by month end but also so I have the work laptop for the Epic Interview, as my home one is having a worrying habit of losing wifi connection and then literally not giving an option to even 'Turn on wifi' until you've turned the machine on and off several times and/or reset network settings and/or restarted the wifi, which I don't want happening during an interview. Also so I have access to LinkedIn training videos etc.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

certainly seen it where they don't let unsuccessful candidates know til quite some time after. Seems weird to me to not do it all at the same time

some employers will not do the 'no thanks' bit with some / all candidates until the first choice candidate has said yes / got through references etc, so that they can offer to second choice candidate without making it obvious, or having to re-advertise.