Employers - common application mistakes???

Okay, I have been job hunting for ages, and am still unemployed.

I guess I am doing something wrong.

Could you let me know what the most common mistakes people make when writing CVs and in the interview are?

Watch the fish4jobs sponcer bit when scrubs is on E4.


Well you can't now, since they think they all we want to watch now is big brother & hollyoaks

Don't swear in my thread

Depends what type of job you are looking for as to what the CV should contain.

Im sorry i spoke of the evil word.

I have about four different ones,

But what is essential - I think mine are pretty good, but I could be very wrong!

I know, the summer is the death of good tv on E4

Just wondering ?ber-Minister, there are several stages to the job hunt. There's generally the written application, then there's the first interview with the HR department or the employment agent, then there's the second interview with the hiring manager.

My question is, are you having problems with:
a. Your applications turning into first interviews.
b. Your first interviews turning into second interviews.
c. Your second interviews turning into job offers?

If you can identify which stage your are having a poor conversion ratio (I'd suggest a 1:3 ratio at each level, but varies depending on your industry and local conditions, etc). If you can identify that and advise in this thread we could perhaps hone in on the underlying issue.

Cheers.

Wubble.

Since I have been on both sides of the fence I may be abel to help you. You have to have something to sell somrthing that an employer needs. Do some research on the company your approaching and find their needs and then adjust yourself to fill them. On the interview take it over and tell them just how your skills can help them make money. Remember only you know your abilities not the interviewer.
I've been there and done that. It tales a little effort on your part.
Good luck to you
wfarr

I've also been on both sides of the fence. When I was hiring, we went with the person who logically clicked with the position. We were in a somewhat specialized field and we were looking for someone who had all of the buzz words and the right [government/research] agencies. If someone was tantalized by the job description, but was really coming from a different field, they didn't make the cut. We just really wanted someone "in our field" or "in our community" broadly speaking. [This is sort of bad news for me today, but it makes sense].

For the administrative assistant position, we looked for a strong cover letter, and a solid, well composed CV (somehow the presentation of the CV - not style, but the way in which positions were described with strong detail and a strong skill base) was quite key.

Have you asked those who rejected you for any feedback? This might be helpful as you apply for other jobs in your sector.