Why don't companies reply to job applications!!?

I agree with the bit about not getting responses from online applications, it takes all of 2 minutes for someone to press 'reply' in their email program, even if they just copy & paste a standard response, at least you know they have received your application.

Oh and a note about SAE's - I was inclined to agree with Ed which is why I included one with all the CVs & covering letters I sent to various companies on spec, but I still only got 2 replies from nearly 50 companies that I sent CVs to (all companies that I have industry-specific experience for).

Degrees mean you can read books and apply knowledge to paper.

It doesn't build common sense and work knowledge.

I knew many solicitors who were very clever, but had as much common sense as a pile of poop.

[gruntygiggles]

+1 to El Saxo (miss you hun) and Daimo

You should always put your work history at the beginning of your CV and your education/qualifications later on as employers want to know what skills you have, not that you can complete a degree. It is important to add details of any degree you have though.

Regarding SAE's, honestly, I wouldn't bother. As Saxo said, it is only going to encourage the few decent emloyers to reply, the rest will just discard your paid for envelope and stamp as they do your CV. I actually knew of a company that used the stamps and threw the envelopes in the bin!

It's a lovely gesture and has all good intentions, but I think it is a waste of money. Just make sure the employer has your phone/email and chase them up a few days after you've sent the CV to confirm that it has been recieved.

I've heard finding a job can be hard at the min so it might be an idea to start applying for graduate intakes for the following year (summer 2010). My company does an annual intake of roughly 50-150 grads per year. Doesn't help you at the min, but it might be wise to forward plan a bit more than everyone else probably is.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

as I'm getting loads of requests at the mo,

oops I'll hold off then.

What's the general advice on switching to a seemingly sound company during the economic downturn we are experiencing?
out of interest....

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

oops I'll hold off then.

What's the general advice on switching to a seemingly sound company during the economic downturn we are experiencing?
out of interest....

Nah....go ahead, I've PM'd you!

[keith_d]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

oops I'll hold off then.

What's the general advice on switching to a seemingly sound company during the economic downturn we are experiencing?
out of interest....

Hmm.... I work in a seemingly sound company and we've lost six people from a team of thirty.

So, I'm not sure there's any more job security in "seemingly sound" companies than elsewhere.

[Dave20046]

Was it really due to the recession though? I currently work for a seemingly sound company almost the same size and they laid off 2 at the start of the year....then took on 3.
Point taken though.