Job Apps
 

Got an application form for a job & its a bit long winded 6 sheets of paper that my CV answers in 2 plus its modified specifically to the job & its applicable skills to the job in form too.

Is it a case i fill in the bits where i need to & apply the cv to the rest - in fact 4 sheets of paper would be saved - plus less writers cramp [thus proving im resourceful & time saving:D].

What do u think? Go for resourcefulness or go for the drawling templated application form:confused:

Advice appreciated:D

Re: Job Apps
 

Ring and ask the secretary/foreman/whoever :D

I would fill it in, as they wouldn't give out a 6 page application form if they didn't want it filling in.

Re: Job Apps
 

Depends what sort of Job it is.

In my game I would send CV.

If it was standard factory job where they might have hundreds of people doing same job I'd fill in their form.

I guess do you want to be seen as an awkward sod before you even start?

Re: Job Apps
 

They probably scan through the form to weed candidates before going through CVs. If you miss bits out, your form is more likely to end up in the WPB (Waste Paper Bin).

Good luck with the application.

Re: Job Apps
 

Its to work in a school so its one of them long winded standard LCC non specific job app forms, personally WPB [like that westender lol] after trying to scan one of them things for key points of skills etc, whereas my cv is more specific to the job & to the point of interest to the employer, which is why i get more success with cover letter & cv rather than standard app forms as they all look the same.

Re: Job Apps
 

Though it's a pain sounds like your best bet is to fill in the form and send your CV as well.

Re: Job Apps
 

Erm yes why lie :rofl38: Sounds like u got me sussed:o

Back to reading 'how to conform' or aka just do as im told & say nowt - its a very short book hehehe:D.

Re: Job Apps
 

Ah well so its a no, I shall fill in the darn blasted form as i have time to waste:rolleyes:

Thanks people, for the advice :thumbsup:

Re: Job Apps
 

Double check the notes on the application form - some LCC forms state NOT to attach a CV as it will not be considered and will be removed from your application. So if you haven't filled in the details on the form you probably won't meet the minimum criteria for interview.

Re: Job Apps
 

Cheers Nikkival, yep it does tho had a recheck online to find that out, typical of LCC to be really awkward & picky - cant see a difference between cv & form but im doing as im told even tho i hate filling them in hehehehe.

Re: Job Apps
 

I know - personally I prefer a CV as it gives you an idea of desktop publishing skills, it's easier to pick out key skills and there is a lot less rambling to get through!

Re: Job Apps
 

LOL, especially when ICT skills are necessary for the job lol, most places do prefer it but seems lcc arn't, im a straight to the point person & hate warballing about the same thing with the repetative questions plus not enough space for the important stuff & my professional cv is going to waste here lol......ah well any tips for writers cramp?? :D

Re: Job Apps
 

Is the form available on-line in PDF? - If so you type the details in or could copy & paste bits from your CV over to the form, then just print it off.

Re: Job Apps
 

It's so that everything is laid out exactly the same for each person and they can compare each person and treat them equally. CVs are laid out differently and there are no direct comparisons.

Fill out the form, add as much information as you possibly can, work through the job specification points one-by-one and list how and why you're suitable for the job. Nowadays getting a good job is ultra competitive and you have to really respond to their needs and forms. Throw your CV away and stick to their form and their job and person specs totally. Always write more than you need to as well.

Re: Job Apps
 

As somebody who works in HR for LCC, I can confirm that Gayle is spot on, its much more convienient to compare like with like than having to trawl through a CV trying to find evidence.

LCC is about to launch a new recruitment service whereby once you've registered you will be able to submit an online application and if wish to apply for a further post you can resubmit your application and add to your application. I understand it launches next Monday but i don't think initially it will apply to posts in schools

Good luck with your application what type of post are you applying for?

Re: Job Apps
 

sounds stupid but dont fold the application... make sure the envelope is the right size, i know a head that throws them straight out if you cant be bothered to get the right sized envelope...

Re: Job Apps
 

That explains it cheers for the clarification thats been really helpful, i take it they prefer it handwritten rather than typed ??:D

Re: Job Apps
 

It costs more in postage to do that nowadays tho as near to it, have to keep my costs down especially if im unsuccessful.

Re: Job Apps
 

probably best to hand deliver it then... if there's a lot of apps for the same job they use strange ways to cut down the numbers..

Re: Job Apps
 

It's the same at our place Mel, we only accept the form for the reasons Gayle and hedman have said. Little tip, when asking if you have had experience in whatever, don't say yes I have give good clear examples and don't worry about waffling on for some reason them seem to like that with app forms

GOOD LUCK :D

Re: Job Apps
 

Always go into detail and give examples. If they say, as a really simple exampe 'have you ever worked with children' go into as much detail with as many examples as possible.

Type or write incredibly neatly. Like has been said, they can throw applications out for very simple reasons.

Re: Job Apps
 

out of interest, what job are you applying for?

Re: Job Apps
 

Re: Job Apps
 

I'd be interested to know about the headteacher who throws away applications if they don't apply in the right envelope, sounds like an urban myth to me

re handwritten or typed, it is acceptable for applications to be either however if handwritten ensure it is neat and presentable. Your letter should preferably be typed on no more than 2 pages of A4

If you are applying for a number of posts sure that you personalise the application to that school it's amazing how many applications start "I wish to apply for your post St Paul's School" but the final para will have the name of a different school because that was the last post they applied for.

In terms of working with children even if you haven't been employed working with children highlight voluntary work you may have done ie Brownie Leader, Sports Coach, Sunday School Teacher etc. Contact local schools and see if they want some assistance listening to children read etc

Do not apply for posts if you don't meet the essential criteria, your wasting your time and the schools ie if it says you need a qualification and you dont have it your application will go in the WPB (not really because schools have to keep them for 12 months incase there's an equal opportunities complaint)

Re: Job Apps
 

it was my last employer....

Re: Job Apps
 

I was a governor at a local primary school and have seen applications rejected by the head for lots of silly reasons the most memorable being for a deputy head -
Applicant from Kent - not willing to pay for travelling & accomodation expenses!
Another applicant had taken a year off work to care for a terminally ill relative - deemed as being out of touch and unreliable!
Staff member who applied for the position and was actually acting deputy head - has only ever worked at one school and needs to expand her horizons!

I'm sure that this is not the case in all schools but it obviously does happen in some.

Re: Job Apps
 

One of my funniest is when I worked for Accenture. We had a young lad in as a contractor. Very clever, very technical, knew his stuff and was excellent at the job. The bosses decided to ask him if he would like to go permie. As he'd only gone contracting due to being made redundant from his last job he thought about it and decided to accept. Oh, you need to just go through the formalities with HR they said.

So a 2 hour telephone interview later where they didn't even ask him a single technical Q they told him he wasn't suitable! As it was HR there was nothing our bosses could do.

Re: Job Apps
 

This wouldn't be legal now, though I'm sure it still happens, but a friend of mine used to work as secretary in a large company in Warrington. When they had jobs on offer she used to scan the initial application forms and her brief was to go to the last page and look at the year of birth of the applicant without bothering to read the rest. This was in 1995 and if the birth year was before 1960 the application went straight in the bin.

Re: Job Apps
 

Following the advice of putting in as much detail as possible reflecting experience/skills to fit criteria - ermmmm im really worried now that its too long as going to a 3 page long just on that alone, that they wont be arsed with it & bin it anyway for being too long - yet trying to cover as much of the criteria as possible [yes i have a lot of key skills], im sure i was told in a connextions session that to keep to the point & short as possible as long ones will get binned...ok that was cv rather than application form but again dont want to lower my chances either way too short or too long plus not missing vital information neccessary to my application as this 3 page has covered everything neccessary.

Help:confused:

Re: Job Apps
 

I advise you to get someone else to read it. Also I am guessing there is a person spec with it, if so - relate to each section of the person spec on the app form. It is only necessary to give one example for each section unless specifies otherwise

Re: Job Apps
 

The job person specification is 1 1/2 pages long lol, i can take half a page out & condense that to a find out more bit at interview stage but enough to wept the appetite :D

My arm aches so will leave it [as weekend] a bit before resuming to re-read thro fresher eyes:D might work.

Re: Job Apps
 

Thanks for everyones help, seems my application wasn't good enough & ended up filed in the WPB, finished date had elasped & interviews are scheduled for tommoz & heard nowt:(, so only one conclusion................stick with cv only apps in future:D