having a debate - on sending CVs etc

[joko]

just chatting with a pal about a job advertised as the head of a department on a big, longstanding soap.

she thinks i should apply... i dont think i am quite at that level ...but she says 'you gotta be in it to win it'...and although she and i both believe i could actually do the job, my CV would probably not meet the level they are looking for...quite simply most of my experience is in other very similar areas (films) with tranferrable skills, and not exactly what they have asked for...(tv)

part of me thinks 'what the hell, send it, they can only say no'... but then would it actually irritate them?...thinking that i must know i wont get it, and that i am wasting their time...

if it wasnt the HOD i would certainly apply, no question...

what do you think?

thanks

[joko]

thanks maidup - problem is my CV is already 3 pages... quite normal in this industry, as films are only a few months long... but i cannot add more text to it really.

theres also no need to explain each job, as theyre pretty standard so they know the job... unless theres something unusual or an award or something....
i also may not get to interview stage so i must include all i need to in the letter really...
i need to check incase its an online form...they do often want a lot of writing in those for some reason

at the moment its a full A4... 424 words - that includes sign off but not space for an address at the top - i will likely email it so that shouldnt be a problem...but i do need to trim it more...

[naomi24]

I'd go for it - but I definitely would NOT write in a covering letter that I'm working towards the levels of skill required for the job. They're looking for a leader - not a learner. As an employer I would see that as negative and wanting - and you need to be 100% positive. If you don't blow your own trumpet in this situation, no one else is going to blow it for you. They'll read your CV and if it irritates them, which I doubt, so what? You've lost nothing. Go for it - and show confidence! Good luck!

[naomi24]

Oh, and keep your CV as short and as precise as possible. Don't waffle. Relevant facts only - and beautifully presented. ;o)

[joko]

cheers naomi...CV has no waffle at all - it is just a list of companies dates and my role

i only mention any awards or unusual jobs as they are pretty standard and they know the roles and what you will have done... its still 3 pages though...and thats edited as much as i can! ... but they expect that.

thats why i need to put whatver i need to say in the letter.

the usual 'rules' of CVs differ sligtly for this sort of industry, as keeping it brief would mean cutting out most of your jobs and would just make you look inexperienced.

cheers everyone