Succeeding at job applications

[andrewsmith]

I'm having trouble completing a couple of job application forms atm, and specifically the loathed: "Why do you want to work for us?"
question.

Anyone got any half decent tips/ hints as most of the stuff on the interweb is sh**e.


Thanks in advance

andy

I normally do a bit of research on the company, pick some things out that will show I have done a bit of reading about them and bring it up in the application, i.e. leading the field in a certain technology/product whatever, good reputation for promoting from within, excellent customer satisfaction record etc etc.

I normally answer these questions by saying something about the company, i.e seen there work, been recomended by friend of friend or old acquaintance, then go on to demonstrate how my experiences and skills could benifit the company.....

or some shizle like that

[andrewsmith]

Cheers

This one would most people a giggle

Tell us about an issue that affects the xxxx industry. Explain in full its impact upon the industry and why it is of particular interest to you.
(250 words max)

I'm trying not to write what I am presently thinking as I may have the police knocking at my door in a week or so

Appliation forms like that keep a copy for yourself and learn your answer, they are likely to be the questions they will ask in an interview too.
Otherwise i agree with Benji106, find a few items of news that show them ina positive light (read the annual report) and stated about recomendations etc.

[Viney]

I'd write

'Because i have photos of you and that rent boy i saw you picking up. Failing that, because i need a job and your office seems nice and warm, and you have cookies'

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Viney

I'd write

'Because i have photos of you and that rent boy i saw you picking up. Failing that, because i need a job and your office seems nice and warm, and you have cookies'

that type of response did cross my mind

I sat in on an interview for the first time recently, for a desirable job, and it was quite an eye opener, it also made me want to work hard so I never have to be on the other side again!

From 100 applicants, at least half shot themselves in the foot immediately with terrible grammar and spelling, when you've got that many applicants, why waste time on someone who can't write properly? They might be amazing but it's a poor place to start from. Quite a few had template cv's with all the classic 'team player' 'self motivated' stuff, nothing that showed any character or passion. A few were just plain scary, really full on serial killer stuff, pages long.

Research is great and if you get second interviews bring something new instead of just turning up again. The guy who got the job had been on google earth before his second interview and trouble shooted our problems from above and had prepared a plan to sort them out, that was brilliant. His CV was quite short too, just the basics and showing a willingness to get things done.

If you're filling in something online, just be human and direct. CV-type flowery language is such a turn-off, it's tiring to read and everyone knows it's not real.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by arenalife

I sat in on an interview for the first time recently, for a desirable job, and it was quite an eye opener, it also made me want to work hard so I never have to be on the other side again!

From 100 applicants, at least half shot themselves in the foot immediately with terrible grammar and spelling, when you've got that many applicants, why waste time on someone who can't write properly? They might be amazing but it's a poor place to start from. Quite a few had template cv's with all the classic 'team player' 'self motivated' stuff, nothing that showed any character or passion. A few were just plain scary, really full on serial killer stuff, pages long.

Research is great and if you get second interviews bring something new instead of just turning up again. The guy who got the job had been on google earth before his second interview and trouble shooted our problems from above and had prepared a plan to sort them out, that was brilliant. His CV was quite short too, just the basics and showing a willingness to get things done.

If you're filling in something online, just be human and direct. CV-type flowery language is such a turn-off, it's tiring to read and everyone knows it's not real.

Listen to that advice! A CV should be short, clear and concise. It should be laid out so that the information is easily extracted and it also allows you to answer questions about your work history and experience in person when you can explain it fully. Nothing is worse than trying to explain something in writing when it can so easily be misinterpreted and lead to your CV going on the "no" pile.

Get yourself registered to google alerts for that company and scour their website and corporate site if they have one. Try and find their mission statement and give answers that reflect what they themselves want for the company. Research the competitors as well and you can say, "I want to work for your company ahead of (insert competitor names here) because I've learned that you are due to launch the new XYZ software soon and I believe that this sets you above the competition. I want to work for the market leader. You need to find something specific that this company is doing that the others either aren't, or don't do very well.

The best thing about researching competitors is that it shows that you are thinking about the company as a whole and how it performs, not just how you'll get the job and what you'll get paid.

PM me if you need any more in depth help.

You do also need to believe everything you say. Any examples you give etc need to be genuine as you will be questioned more than once on the important issues and if you are not genuine and honest, they will see through it in no time.

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by arenalife

Research is great and if you get second interviews bring something new instead of just turning up again. The guy who got the job had been on google earth before his second interview and trouble shooted our problems from above and had prepared a plan to sort them out, that was brilliant. His CV was quite short too, just the basics and showing a willingness to get things done.

If you're filling in something online, just be human and direct. CV-type flowery language is such a turn-off, it's tiring to read and everyone knows it's not real.

I've seen hundreds of cv's, and done hundreds of interviews.

Do the research but try and identify something from that research and expand on it - research their main competitor too. Don't quote from the Google page you've printed off, as I had done to me yesterday - totally unimpressed but at least he proved he could read

Flowery language in a cv just isn't the real person, and everyone knows it. Yes, make it clear, concise and interesting - you need to grab the reader before they fall asleep, or you won't get past the papersift. And if you are going beyond two pages it better be good.

A good interviewer will Google the company you work for. They will also Google your interests. Don't tell the interviewer you are a mad keen xxxx just in case they are too - that was another one yesterday, and he was clueless.

Good luck.