Applying for tough jobs

G - they haven't poached you. You applied. Why should you be discriminated against?

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Ed

G - they haven't poached you. You applied. Why should you be discriminated against?

Agree 100%

[Fallout]

Well, seems like most people think it's fair to go for em, and that makes 3 jobs I've applied for in the last 3 days, none of which I am really qualified for (different skill sets, rather than me just being a pleb). Would be nice to get to a few interviews, and it'd be nice to start earning some proper money, so I can afford to eat again, rather than fighting the crows for worms from the back garden.

[G]

Originally Posted by Ed

G - they haven't poached you. You applied. Why should you be discriminated against?

I'm not sure about the legal aspect...

I would be working on the same project that I currently work on, but for the client instead of the contractor, meaning I have access to intellectual property, and there are other conflicts of interest.

There are clauses in my contract of employment, and within the supply agreement between the client and my current employer that apparently prevent me from being allowed to do this within a 6 month period of leaving my existing employer.

Are these not legally enforceable?

There is probably expensive business relationships at stake too.

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by L3nny

Problem is with applying for jobs is that you first have to go through an agency, they will receive hundreds of CVs and maybe forward 5 to the employer. They will just read the first page of your CV and if you aren't already doing a similar job it will be filed in the bin.

That's my experience anyway.

Mine too....which is why, these jobsites etc are great - but......the agencies are dealing with a faceless piece of paper.

The best way to do this kind of thing is face to face at the agency. Call them up, show your interest, make an appointment. They may well state, "we think the company are looking for someone with more experience etc". However, I have in the past responded with, "well I would be looking at a lower salary band am looking to forge a long term career with a company such as this. Could you discuss with them whether they would be interested at recruiting at a lower level - or if not, retaining my CV on record should anything else arise."

I have had some interviews for jobs above my grade in the past purely because I showed this kind of attitude - agencies respect people being open, honest and prepared to work from the ground up etc. They will therefore "sell" you better. I got my first job in exactly this manner, by selling myself as a future prospect. It resulted in them getting someone capable of doing the job, for far less money etc.

So in answer, go for it, but get down to agencies etc and properly sell yourself. The websites are merely there to point out who has vacancies currently.

[Fallout]

Phoning them is definitely the way forward. I applied for another job which required a different skill set and I know I would've been ignored if I just clicked Apply, but instead I phoned up the agency guy. I think as soon as they hear you speak, justify why you're applying, and basically humanize your CV, you stand a better chance. Same thing for the interview, I think. I'm doing my utmost to get them to invite me for an interview, and from there I can make them love me and want my babies (male or female). ahem

Jobsites are definitely a double edged sword.

good luck mate, just got for it.

agencies are sometimes quite fickle and if they cant find you any work at first, phone them up every morning and again at 4pm every day. they soon get annoyed and find you work just to shut you up =]

[Fallout]

Cheers man. I'm really fickle myself though. Had too many jobs that have bored me within an inch of my life, so I'm only applying for ones I know will keep me interested. It just means they're probably in high demand. I'll get there though, then the drinks are on me!

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Bibio

that sentence sums up a major part of the working population of the UK and one of the reasons everything is going to pot. people doing jobs that they are not capable of doing and making a mess.

i'm sorry but some people work hard and study to get higher up the ladder.

how would you feel if you had worked and studied hard to get where you are and someone came along with less qualifications and got the job.

I've got to disagree with you on that.

It's a free for all world, if someone wants to take a risk with their money and employ someone who doesn't have all the bits of paper it's entirely their business.

Reason everything is going to pot is nothing to do with people without qualifications. Qualifications mean bugger all, there are lads who did better in the Engineering degree than me whom I wouldn't trust to design a paperclip. I say reason everything is going to pot is too much trust in bits of paper!

If someone gets a job because someone thinks they're worth the risk, that their personality and attitude would be an asset: Good! We have plenty drones to fill in tickboxes.

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I've got to disagree with you on that.

It's a free for all world, if someone wants to take a risk with their money and employ someone who doesn't have all the bits of paper it's entirely their business.

Reason everything is going to pot is nothing to do with people without qualifications. Qualifications mean bugger all, there are lads who did better in the Engineering degree than me whom I wouldn't trust to design a paperclip. I say reason everything is going to pot is too much trust in bits of paper!

If someone gets a job because someone thinks they're worth the risk, that their personality and attitude would be an asset: Good! We have plenty drones to fill in tickboxes.

+1......there are too many grads here who have business & finance degrees, coupled with masters in Economics or Business etc.......and nearly all cases I would never contemplate hiring.

The most crucial part of any job process is the interview.....the rest of it just gets you through the door. It is about understanding their personality and how they come across. Common sense is the biggest thing missing from most "qualified" CV's / people I see. When you ask questions aimed at generating "common sense" answers, you then can really see if they will adapt etc.

All of this is IMHO and based on personally recruiting graduates & experienced employees into the business.