What frustrates you most as a jobseeker?

joxer1988

Karbolt wrote:

What industry are you working in?

Finance. 100s of near identical applicants for the same job - I found that networking gave me the edge.

Gael23

How long after applications close can you expect to get a response?

starlit

joxer1988 wrote: »

I realised quickly enough that online applications are mostly a waste of time. Bit the bullet and started networking, a tough slog but landed me the much fabled "dream job".

Networking shouldn't really be confused with nepotism, which in theory doesn't exist in the private sector.

If you're the owner of a business, wouldn't you rather hire someone on recommendation from someone who you rate rather than based on a short interview? Who cares if it's a recommendation through family connections.

Ability to do a job trumps qualifications on your CV all day, that's why connections get you the job.

Yes, its definitely who you know that can be key to getting a job. If you know someone who can recommend you or refer you on can be a good thing.

starlit

Gael23 wrote: »

How long after applications close can you expect to get a response?

The shortest I've waited for is a day to a week and the longest I've waited for is a 11 months!

I8A4RE

Just did an online aptitude test. Is there anywhere that has them all or somewhere that explains them or even the fact that you cant get the results and find out where you went wrong annoys me.

starlit

Have you looked at Saville or shl aptitude tests?

Gael23

Is there anything to be gained from cold calling business to see if they are recruiting?

starlit

I'd say just send out a speculative cv and keep note of any place locally looking for staff, let people know you are job hunting, networking is worthwhile. If a company is hiring, if advertised on radio or through social media or word of mouth be worth applying for. Sometimes if they happen to be in the media on the news/in newspapers usually people are often already hired or slow influx of jobs that might only be available over a period of time. I be concerned with companies that have a high turn over of staff.

SPM1959

Gael23 wrote: »

Is there anything to be gained from cold calling business to see if they are recruiting?

Yes. Nothing to lose anyway.

Gael23

SPM1959 wrote: »

Yes. Nothing to lose anyway.

I can offer an employer a little sweetner if they hire me but they don't seem to be grabbing it the way I expected

sellasheep

Gael23 wrote: »

I can offer an employer a little sweetner if they hire me but they don't seem to be grabbing it the way I expected

What kind of "sweetner" ?

Gael23

sellasheep wrote: »

What kind of "sweetner" ?

I have a slight disability so I'm eligible for a scheme where they get a subsidy of €10k a year towards my wage

MrWalsh

Gael23 wrote: »

I have a slight disability so I'm eligible for a scheme where they get a subsidy of €10k a year towards my wage

So you think that they can offer you less money because of it - surely that in itself would be discriminatory and they would be leaving themselves wide open to a case if they offered you a different salary based on your disability?

junipergreen

MrWalsh wrote: »

So you think that they can offer you less money because of it - surely that in itself would be discriminatory and they would be leaving themselves wide open to a case if they offered you a different salary based on your disability?

I assume the money would go direct to the employer, like the revenue job assist programme did (or does, no idea if it's still running).

Gael23

MrWalsh wrote: »

So you think that they can offer you less money because of it - surely that in itself would be discriminatory and they would be leaving themselves wide open to a case if they offered you a different salary based on your disability?

No, they pay me as they would anyone else and then they receive the subsidy towards it.

MrWalsh

Gael23 wrote: »

No, they pay me as they would anyone else and then they receive the subsidy towards it.

Fair enough, its hardly something you tell them at interview though is it?

I just mean, how would you offer it as a "sweetner" at interview level? Unless your disability is visible and they also have a HR person who is aware of the scheme - is it not more something that they would find out about AFTER they had made the job offer in the first place?

Gael23

MrWalsh wrote: »

Fair enough, its hardly something you tell them at interview though is it?

I just mean, how would you offer it as a "sweetner" at interview level? Unless your disability is visible and they also have a HR person who is aware of the scheme - is it not more something that they would find out about AFTER they had made the job offer in the first place?

Well its an incentive for them to make me an offer. At least thats how I see it

MrWalsh

Gael23 wrote: »

Well tisane incentive for them to make me an offer. At least thats how I see it

Yeah but how would they know about it? Surely its something that after the offer is made you would tell them that, btw, there is a subsidy available for hiring me?

Or do you mention it upfront at interview, before an offer is made?

I just wonder how an employer would be aware of it and that may be why they are not jumping at it as you expected.

Gael23

MrWalsh wrote: »

Yeah but how would they know about it? Surely its something that after the offer is made you would tell them that, btw, there is a subsidy available for hiring me?

Or do you mention it upfront at interview, before an offer is made?

I just wonder how an employer would be aware of it and that may be why they are not jumping at it as you expected.

So far I have been mentioning it at application stage. I think its something they need to know as early as possible, but maybe wrong on that

MrWalsh

Gael23 wrote: »

So far I have been mentioning it at application stage. I think its something they need to know as early as possible, but maybe wrong on that

Really? Id find that off putting as an employer. Id like to see all applications on the merits of the ability to do the job.

It could be viewed as (very mild) bribery.

Of course I dont know your personal circumstance, perhaps its vital to be upfront about your disability at such an early stage and it leads in naturally to mentioning the subsidy, but I would think you need to get some good advice on that as I think its one of those things that could take away your edge rather than give you one.

Gael23

MrWalsh wrote: »

Really? Id find that off putting as an employer. Id like to see all applications on the merits of the ability to do the job.

It could be viewed as (very mild) bribery.

Of course I dont know your personal circumstance, perhaps its vital to be upfront about your disability at such an early stage and it leads in naturally to mentioning the subsidy, but I would think you need to get some good advice on that as I think its one of those things that could take away your edge rather than give you one.

Didn't think of it that way. I suppose I thought that an employer knowing they could hire me at low cost would give me an advantage. An employer will never know about my condition unless I tell them, which makes it more tricky on my part because then I have to decide what and when to say

MrWalsh

Gael23 wrote: »

Didn't think of it that way. I suppose I thought that an employer knowing they could hire me at low cost would give me an advantage. An employer will never know about my condition unless I tell them, which makes it more tricky on my part because then I have to decide what and when to say

You could be right and I could be totally wrong but at least I can provide you with an alternate point of view.

Outside of my ability to do the job based on education/experience I wouldnt tend to bring up anything else at application or interview stage.

One example is that although I am a woman in her 40s I dont and wont have children - that could make me a more attractive prospect than an applicant for whom everything is the same except she has 4 children, because she will possibly miss more time or be less flexible because of her responsibilities. Now employers cant ask questions that could be seen as discriminatory so it would never come up unless I said it. But Id fear by saying it they would think that perhaps I was trying to gain an unfair advantage over the person with the same abilities but different personal circumstances. Then again maybe theyd think it was great - but I wouldnt feel great myself to use it as a selling point.

doc11

Gael23 wrote: »

Well its an incentive for them to make me an offer. At least thats how I see it

The wages won't be coming out of the hiring managers or HR's pocket so your wages are irrelevant to them, subsidized or not.

What perhaps could be off putting is having a "disabled" less productive member of a team which they'll have to carry, and perhaps burden/slow down an existing team.

If it was solely about money a company could just hire a job bridge intern

WoollyRedHat

Lack of feedback.

veganrun

Pushy recruitment agents. I was dealing with one recently and I wasn't that interested in a particular job but he kept banging on about it even though I said more than once that I wasn't going to proceed. So much so that I completely avoid that agency now/other jobs he's the contact for.

Just difficult recruitment agents in general, ones who don't respond or who are difficult to deal with.

SureYWouldntYa

Would it be a little too pushy to apply for a jobridge but saying I'd only be interesting in the position if it was a proper paid position ? The same ad has been placed before and renewed so they obviously cant find anyone for free

Gael23

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

Would it be a little too pushy to apply for a jobridge but saying I'd only be interesting in the position if it was a proper paid position ? The same ad has been placed before and renewed so they obviously cant find anyone for free

If there's one way to put a black mark against you, that's it. Never do it

the_syco

Lack of "why" I didn't get the job, after doing an interview. Someone else being overqualified is on par, but only one company in the last year has said to me that I need X. Which is great, as I'm now trying to get it.

Now, those who don't get a job and no interview, fair enough, don't tell them, but if you liked my CV enough to bring me in for an interview (and let the agent know that you were happy with the interview), at least let me know what I lacked.

the_syco

SureYWouldntYa wrote: »

The same ad has been placed before and renewed so they obviously cant find anyone for free

To me, this means that they have filled it before, and are now going to fill it again.

Tar.Aldarion

I can't imagine how annoying jobbridge must be for people, it's ridiculous.
Things that annoyed me were not stating ballbark salary on job descriptions, naming every technology they can think of as requirements, never replying, not saying why it was no even if you ask they won't say, even if it was after 4 rounds of interviews and just two people left! Offering really low salaries because you were a grad.
Testing me in things got nothing to do with the job and so on. In 2008 I'd say i looked for a whole year and didn't even get an interview (even with a good degree), that's how bad it was then.
But the rest holds for when times had improved, nobody ever replies to you was very annoying. Then when you start working recruiters plague you as they all have the info gathered from you finding a job in the first place.

Gongoozler

Yeah the lack of even a range of a salary on offer is a major issue. Often they'll say salary negotiable, but without an idea of what they're even thinking for salary, well I wouldn't be wasting my time applying.

_Kaiser_

timetogo wrote: »

Putting negotiable can also mean we want to pay SFA. I've frequently contacted companies that didn't specify a rate to only find out their rate was 20% - 30% less than what I'm on now. I'm sure they'll get somebody but if the person is any good they'd be moving on as soon as somebody offers the proper rate.

And yet one of the first questions you'll get asked is "what salary are you on now/what are your expectations?"

Personally I can't stand that one as immediately you're negotiating from a position of weakness (either because they have no intention of paying you that, or because they were prepared to pay more). I usually fudge a little and say I'd expect a salary in-line with current industry norms for the role and the usual benefits for it.

Arbiter of Good Taste

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

And yet one of the first questions you'll get asked is "what salary are you on now/what are your expectations?"

Personally I can't stand that one as immediately you're negotiating from a position of weakness (either because they have no intention of paying you that, or because they were prepared to pay more). I usually fudge a little and say I'd expect a salary in-line with current industry norms for the role and the usual benefits for it.

No way would I give them my current salary. I will give them my "salary expectations" and a reasonable range.

MrWalsh

Gongoozler wrote: »

Yeah the lack of even a range of a salary on offer is a major issue. Often they'll say salary negotiable, but without an idea of what they're even thinking for salary, well I wouldn't be wasting my time applying.

Ridiculous, like money is a dirty word.

I remember one place put my hubby through 2 interviews and was moving onto aptitude tests and he insisted they give a ballpark figure of what was on offer. Turned out it was half what he would have worked for - they were prepared to waste his time, their time, everyones time - all could have been avoided if theyd been upfront. Just silly.

Tar.Aldarion

The only way I knew my salary ballpark when interviewing was they had it written down on the page during the interview in front of them
It's a bit of a joke, you have no idea. I was looking at grad roles and there was 15k difference in some of the wages...you'd find out after one or two interviews.

threebagsfull

Yes it is serious time-wasting when they won't say. And when it's 30-35 or whatever, I always feel like I don't have what it takes to convince them to pay the 35. It'll always be the lowest amount they've stated. It's adding more stress to an already stressful situation.

DIYalot

Gael23 wrote:

So far I have been mentioning it at application stage. I think its something they need to know as early as possible, but maybe wrong on that

as someone who has had the responsibility of reviewing, filtering and vetting cv 's and then interviewing candidates I would suggest you do not disclose this until AFTER you have a solid offer, in writing.

Companies want people who can give 100% and earn their salary. If you think that by hiring you that they will be benefitting then you are wrong. As devils advocate, What potentially could happen is you may use that against them in the sense that if you know they receive a 'sweetner' then why should you work as hard as someone in a similar role?

Get interviews, highlight your merits, get an offer in writing,start working, then pass your probation period and show them the 'sweetner '

Gael23

DIYalot wrote: »

as someone who has had the responsibility of reviewing, filtering and vetting cv 's and then interviewing candidates I would suggest you do not disclose this until AFTER you have a solid offer, in writing.

Companies want people who can give 100% and earn their salary. If you think that by hiring you that they will be benefitting then you are wrong. As devils advocate, What potentially could happen is you may use that against them in the sense that if you know they receive a 'sweetner' then why should you work as hard as someone in a similar role?

Get interviews, highlight your merits, get an offer in writing,start working, then pass your probation period and show them the 'sweetner '

Starting to think that way alright. Its designed to incentivise employment of people with a disability, probably much more severe than me but nevertheless, so i thought that the economy being the way it is, business would be looking for their money to go as far as possible

cloudatlas

Being told I'm under/over qualified for sure.

On two occasions after interview I've had employers say - 'we were afraid that you would take the job and then leave as soon as you got something better' and 'you do know this is not a professional position and you are a professional'.

All that information is on my C.V. they don't seem to understand that you invite people to interview because you have read their C.V. and you base your reasoning on how they preform at the interview and what they tell you about their experience you don't turn round and tell someone after an interview that you have a problem with experience on their C.V. that could have been solved by not inviting the candidate to interview.

I've been told I'm under qualified as well which is frustrating because they talk about training in the interview and on the job description but they don't want to do that because they can't be arsed.

MrWalsh

Gael23 wrote: »

Starting to think that way alright. Its designed to incentivise employment of people with a disability, probably much more severe than me but nevertheless, so i thought that the economy being the way it is, business would be looking for their money to go as far as possible

I think it would be a great assist in keeping in you in a role when cutbacks have to be made elsewhere - so it offers you better job security, once you get into a job.

I know in my last place they went straight for the highest salaries for redundancies, low hanging fruit.

Idjit

cloudatlas wrote: »

Being told I'm under/over qualified for sure.
All that information is on my C.V. they don't seem to understand that you invite people to interview because you have read their C.V. and you base your reasoning on how they preform at the interview and what they tell you about their experience you don't turn round and tell someone after an interview that you have a problem with experience on their C.V. that could have been solved by not inviting the candidate to interview.

You hit the nail on the head there. One of my pet hates as well, employers wasting our time and energy by not reading our CV first. I want to be called to interview because my CV matches what they are looking for, not so they can tell me face-to-face that they aren't going to hire me anyway!

cloudatlas

Jade182 wrote: »

You hit the nail on the head there. One of my pet hates as well, employers wasting our time and energy by not reading our CV first. I want to be called to interview because my CV matches what they are looking for, not so they can tell me face-to-face that they aren't going to hire me anyway!

Exactly. On another occasion I was told that I was qualified and had the right experience but I didn't get the job because I wasn't accredited by a specific organisation in their country. I couldn't be accredited because they don't accredit my qualification outside of their own country, nothing wrong with the actual qualification though which they acknowledged. I ended up complaining to the head of h.r. and I got my travel expenses back and an apology but that was after I spent two days traveling and attending the interview. Again they could have checked all this before but what are human resources for?

Pie and Mash

No response, no feedback even after interview. I am trying to return to work having taken time out for family reasons and explaining the gap is not difficult as I had to do extra work with my Son. I could really do with any input employers have on my prospects and I ask at interview if they could do that .......but they don't.

starlit

Pie and Mash wrote: »

No response, no feedback even after interview. I am trying to return to work having taken time out for family reasons and explaining the gap is not difficult as I had to do extra work with my Son. I could really do with any input employers have on my prospects and I ask at interview if they could do that .......but they don't.

Even when you ask for feedback? Depends on company policy some are obliged to do so. Some do it anyway and others you might need to ask if they offer it. Some will respond some won't.

Pie and Mash

Yes Doovdela it's unfortunate as I could do with the feedback .....onwards and upwards eh.

cloudatlas

Was just looking at a recruitment site and they have the same job description but pasted into different adverts available in 17 cities hmmmm.... smelling a big stinking rat there.

Pie and Mash

Most likely cold calling,charity of some description or pyramid scheme, all commission based Cloudatlas.

Crooked Jack

By far the worst thing is companies advertising jobs when in reality they know exactly who they are going to hire. A person has all but been promised the job yet the go through the motions of advertising it anyway to fulfill whatever equality obligations or whatever they have. Then you spend a few days making the perfect application and awaiting a response only for it to be dumped in the bin without a second glance or worse, you get called the other side of the country for some sham interview

starlit

This is what I can't get, companies let people go or cut jobs and then hire again and may end up being jobbridges?

Same applies for jobs advertised and those that go for interviews when the job doesn't exist its disheartening.

MiaG

Nothing, I have been so lucky. Since moving to Ireland 15 years ago I haven't been unemployed for a day and I have found new job every time I felt the need to move in within weeks.

I realise that my luck may not last forever.