The job hunting support thread
- Thread starter Cloo
- Start date
do you start a formal letter to a Chris that could be of either gender?
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Dear Chris X,
I write attaching my CV to apply for the position of xyz as adverised in abc ...
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
weltweit
Well-Known Member
I think Dear Chris, would be too informal but Dear Chris X, would be fine for me.
I often address job application letters that way.
toggle
wobbly
I was told by someone who assists small businesses in graduate recruitment that Dear Chris was absolutely fine. it still wouldn't feel right to me though
weltweit
Well-Known Member
tbh while I do spend a moment or two considering how to address my covering letters, I do think it is the content that matters. I wouldn't worry too much if you used Dear Chris or Dear Chris X, I would just make sure that the rest of the letter rocks!
scifisam
feck! arse! girls! drink!
Applied for a stupid council job I have no hope of getting. Bloody long application form that can't be transfered to apps elsewhere. Grr.
I'm also on the govt jobmatch thing. So far they've suggested I apply to be a senior lecturer in midwifery and an office apprentice in Staines only available for under-25s.
I'm also on the govt jobmatch thing. So far they've suggested I apply to be a senior lecturer in midwifery and an office apprentice in Staines only available for under-25s.
Puddy_Tat
naturally fluffy
thanks - I'll go with "Dear Chris X" and hope for the best.
I'm also on the govt jobmatch thing. So far they've suggested I apply to be a senior lecturer in midwifery and an office apprentice in Staines only available for under-25s.
Bit of a glimmer in the dark, applied for a technicians post a couple of weeks ago, totally forgot about it - it's not great but better than nowt, part-time and less than a year (9 months) to cover maternity leave. I've been asked to interview next week and they need to fill the position quick so want to know if candidates can start sooner rather than later (yes in my case!)
Also received and email for an interview for a job I really would like, in my old place of work (same organisation and department but different section), would be working with people I have done in the past. I've re-trained for this sort of job and I have all the experience, qualifications and aptitude
Interview scheduled in a couple of weeks - this post has been re-advertised and the job description slightly re-jigged.
... fingers crossed!
Also received and email for an interview for a job I really would like, in my old place of work (same organisation and department but different section), would be working with people I have done in the past. I've re-trained for this sort of job and I have all the experience, qualifications and aptitude
Interview scheduled in a couple of weeks - this post has been re-advertised and the job description slightly re-jigged. ... fingers crossed!
Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
I got a job today after being unemployed for about a month. I don't feel very happy about it. It is a contact centre for a local council. My job is to listen to people complaining about their bins. I don't want to work in a contact centre again. But I don't want to be unemployed either.
What are some real skills you can learn to get into better jobs? I have a load of money saved up so I could potentially afford to do some courses or something.
I have talked for years and years about doing CELTA and going abroad but I don't think it will happen. I have put the money aside for it and everything but I am a bit cowardly. I want to leave here and do something better than answering the phone. I feel a bit doomed to fate.
*sigh*
What are some real skills you can learn to get into better jobs? I have a load of money saved up so I could potentially afford to do some courses or something.
I have talked for years and years about doing CELTA and going abroad but I don't think it will happen. I have put the money aside for it and everything but I am a bit cowardly. I want to leave here and do something better than answering the phone. I feel a bit doomed to fate.
*sigh*
kikiscrumbles
Well-Known Member
I can assure you with total honesty that a number of my friends [in dreary jobs & unhappy London lives] have thanked their stars for gumption-ing up & taking the terrifying step into Celta - in truth I should do it myself also. Budapest International House seems to be the cheapest [and no, I'm not paid to recommend, it's just my friends' experience when they sought the cheapest option out]. Anyway, whatever you choose to do, v good luck.
More closing dates have come and gone. Nothing.
Nothing to apply for at the moment either.
*shrugs and sighs*
hope things go OK for you next week ...
oh just meant hope you have more luck on the job hunting front next week - I tend to look at time as week-to-week, this week I will be doing X, applying for Y jobs etc etc.
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
oh just meant hope you have more luck on the job hunting front next week - I tend to look at time as week-to-week, this week I will be doing X, applying for Y jobs etc etc.
Oh. Thanks!
Though, frankly, I'm on the verge of giving up.
Looby
Well-Known Member
I've found a job I really want. I want it so much I want to vomit I'm that excited.
I suspect there will be several people in my region that I know that'll also be applying and it's for a trade union.
The issue I have is, there are two roles one of which is a trainee role.
Now, I don't think I have quite enough experience for the higher salaried position but the description for the trainee job indicates I may be taught stuff I already know and can do.
My husband thinks I should do an application for both jobs as whilst I would love the higher post (and the 10-12k payrise!) I would be chuffed to bits with the trainee role and it's a slight cash increase for me.
I'm happy to apply for both but is this frowned upon?
Does it look like I don't have confidence in my experience or the self awareness to judge where my experience and knowledge is pitched?
Or will it look like I really want the job and am happy to launch straight in or to get experience and training first.
I suspect there will be several people in my region that I know that'll also be applying and it's for a trade union.
The issue I have is, there are two roles one of which is a trainee role.
Now, I don't think I have quite enough experience for the higher salaried position but the description for the trainee job indicates I may be taught stuff I already know and can do.
My husband thinks I should do an application for both jobs as whilst I would love the higher post (and the 10-12k payrise!) I would be chuffed to bits with the trainee role and it's a slight cash increase for me.
I'm happy to apply for both but is this frowned upon?
Does it look like I don't have confidence in my experience or the self awareness to judge where my experience and knowledge is pitched?
Or will it look like I really want the job and am happy to launch straight in or to get experience and training first.
purenarcotic
Conveniently Pocket Sized
Plenty of folk I know go for two positions at the same place, I'd go for it.
Looby
Well-Known Member
Plenty of folk I know go for two positions at the same place, I'd go for it.
Yeah, you're probably right but this is for the same job. That's the bit that worries me, it's not two similar positions in the organisation.
I hate job applications which is probably why I've only done 3 in the past 9 years.
: D
barney_pig
Po-cha-na-quar-hip
I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that I have made myself unemployable.
When I took redundancy from the railway and went back to school six years ago, My main motivation was the the opportunity to learn, but I always assumed hat a degree would open a few doors to new careers.
Now I find hat my BA and masters are actually the modern equivalent of a lepers bell. Despite applying for over 150 different vacancies over the past 6 months I have had only one positivel reply, and that only got me to the second interview.
All my work experience is blue collar, and my CV full of work experiences ( even with their 'competency' style skills attached) simply draws the potential employers attention to he fact hat I have been around far too long.
I cannot get manual work, as i am too qualified, nor be even considered for graduate roles as I am too old.
When I took redundancy from the railway and went back to school six years ago, My main motivation was the the opportunity to learn, but I always assumed hat a degree would open a few doors to new careers.
Now I find hat my BA and masters are actually the modern equivalent of a lepers bell. Despite applying for over 150 different vacancies over the past 6 months I have had only one positivel reply, and that only got me to the second interview.
All my work experience is blue collar, and my CV full of work experiences ( even with their 'competency' style skills attached) simply draws the potential employers attention to he fact hat I have been around far too long.
I cannot get manual work, as i am too qualified, nor be even considered for graduate roles as I am too old.
Cloo
Banana for scale
It sounds to me like you have some interesting experience and perhaps you don't have a CV that's making the most of it. Believe me, the way that things are phrased can make a massive difference, and perhaps, for example, a skills-based CV (one that puts things under sets of skills, not chronological order of jobs/study) might be the best thing in your case. Try to get advice about that. It helped me get my current role, even though it was quite different to my last.
When I was first applying last year, I made the mistake of having a chronological, responsibilities-based CV (My responsibilities included... ) which got no response at all, even for really relevant jobs, and when I improved that to one which said 'In my previous role I:' and listed things that might be counted achievements, even small ones, I got interviews for about a quarter of the roles I applied for, which wasn't bad going.
If you've not tried lots of different styles already, I'd suspect that could be the cause. Don't give up hope just yet!
When I was first applying last year, I made the mistake of having a chronological, responsibilities-based CV (My responsibilities included... ) which got no response at all, even for really relevant jobs, and when I improved that to one which said 'In my previous role I:' and listed things that might be counted achievements, even small ones, I got interviews for about a quarter of the roles I applied for, which wasn't bad going.
If you've not tried lots of different styles already, I'd suspect that could be the cause. Don't give up hope just yet!
weltweit
Well-Known Member
Hi barney_pig Sorry to hear about your situation. I too don't get put forward for more basic jobs because I am "too experienced" despite that I would like the job. And for more senior jobs the fact that I have been out of work for a while counts against me.
You say your CV "simply draws the potential employers attention to he fact hat I have been around far too long." but you know you don't have to list all of your past. Typically employers want to see the last ten years or so, any more than that might not be needed.
150 applications sounds like you are putting effort in. I am at 50 since Jan (three / four interviews so far).
You say your CV "simply draws the potential employers attention to he fact hat I have been around far too long." but you know you don't have to list all of your past. Typically employers want to see the last ten years or so, any more than that might not be needed.
150 applications sounds like you are putting effort in. I am at 50 since Jan (three / four interviews so far).
weltweit
Well-Known Member
BTW When you have phoned the agents or employers up to ask for feedback about why you were not selected for interview, what have they said?
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
It sounds to me like you have some interesting experience and perhaps you don't have a CV that's making the most of it. Believe me, the way that things are phrased can make a massive difference, and perhaps, for example, a skills-based CV (one that puts things under sets of skills, not chronological order of jobs/study) might be the best thing in your case. Try to get advice about that. It helped me get my current role, even though it was quite different to my last.
When I was first applying last year, I made the mistake of having a chronological, responsibilities-based CV (My responsibilities included...
If you've not tried lots of different styles already, I'd suspect that could be the cause. Don't give up hope just yet!
Any good resources for changing a chronlogical CV into a skills based one? A good book, website or something?
barney_pig
Po-cha-na-quar-hip
These are all great suggestions I will try them thank you.
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
chilango
Hypothetical Wanker
I picked up a couple of good books from the library. I was sceptical, but some good ideas to be found. Can't really summarise them neatly but worth an hour or two of your time. Key thing I've got so far is to omit anything that isn't going to help you get the job and isn't mandatory. So old work experience, irrelevant qualifications etc. the book puts it better than me mind.
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