applying for a job

[gerry]

I just wanted to ask what you guys and girls thought about this i'm already in full time work and like many of us i decided to look for something better and more money.The job i was applying for was really no different to the job i have just now it was a few more duties and more money.This morning i got a letter back from them telling me i had been unsuccessful. The problem i have with that is i didn't even get asked for an interview.How can they judge someone by just a covering letter also what would be the chance of me getting a reply from them if i wrote a letter to them asking them why i had been unsuccessful.

[strozzi]

There could be many reasons why they have not chosen you for the position. The company may have found someone ideal for the job already; they may have wanted someone to start immediately; there may have been something in the way that you applied that they didn't like etc. etc. Some companies will receive hundreds of applications for a single job. It is not usually a practical proposition for them to interview all of them so they will have to preselect. There is no harm in writing to them to ask why you were unsuccessful. Whether or not you get a reply will depend on the company resources and how helpful the HR dept is (if they have one). A small company, with no HR staff, that has been swamped with job applications, may not take the trouble to respond to you. Another reason why some companies won't reply is that in these days of ever increasing litigation they are frightened of saying the slightest thing that might end in a claim against them. You could try a brief and polite telephone call direct to the person who was responsible for the selection process.

[comloulou]

I am having a very similar problem, compounded by the fact that when I do get an interview it always comes down to me and one other and the other always gets it. Ive found that a brief covering letter with your CV/apps form helps. If you send a CV always tailor it to the job youre applying for and remember that experience is more impressive than academic experience these days Im afraid. Ps if you were applying for something very similar to your present job its possible the they were concerned you'd become bored or want to move on again too soon.

[woodpam]

Tough luck Gerry. At the moment there are lots of applicants for each job so companies have to turn down the majority of people without interviews. They may not have turned you down just because of a covering letter, but things that would have put them off would have been, a lack of attention to detail in spelling or grammar, and content. The letter may not have contained the information they were looking for or the c.v. or application form may not have made enough of your experience. The best way to approach an application form is to link your experience to the tasks and qualities they are looking for. If there is no relevant space on the form, include (briefly) in the letter the reasons why you would like the job. It's important that you look at this from the employer's point of view, what they will be looking for is someone who can do the job and really wants to work for them. The other key thing is that you will fit in with their organisation and so any judgemental comments won't help - I saw a cv once with "love all dancing and would try anything except line dancing" listed under hobbies. Guess what the prospective employer's hobby was? It may well be that your application was fine, but there were others that were slightly stronger. Most employers will be happy to give you feedback on your application and this could be very useful, a friendly phone call from you (not a complaining one!) should get their helpful comments. There are some excellent books on applying for jobs both in your local library and careers centre. Your question demonstrates that you are literate, thoughtful, employable and willing to change and improve. Some employer will snap you up before too long!

[rinkytink]

Here is a link to an excellent site full of career resources:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/CareerBytes
/Archives.htm

[Annie]

One common problem is people do not sell themselves enough on application forms or CV's. You really need to see yourself as a commodity and sell all the skills and qualities that you have. On a CV, these should be one of the first things an employer will read, it is common to put your name and address at the top, but really does your address sell you??? telling an employer what you can offer them is far more valuable.

[KARL]

There is one perspective which none of the replies so far have touched on: There are those who will be put off by a job application which bristles with buzz-words and psychobabble on top of oozing engratiation if not smarmy wording - some will be put off by the slightest hint of these, it all depends on your line of work and location of the new employer's office. If at all possible, it may be a good start to try and contact the employer's people who are offering the job (best of all those who will do the actual selection) and try to ascertain precisely what they are looking for (you may have to filter out waffle, interpret jargon and read between lines) in addition to getting a feel for the atmosphere at the employer's and the attitude of key individuals (although there will be a deliberate and possibly artificial attempt to sound upbeat and inviting) - you may even decide against dumping your current job ! There are no magic solutions or simple formulae, both parties are required to make a leap of faith in almost every case - face-to-face is best, phone-to-phone a runner up (but for some a disadvantge if they do not come over well). Best of luck.