Appealing Degree with Public Jobs

Hal3000

Hi all, dream job came up recently. Submitted form with over 10 years proven experience in technical role. Public Jobs staff ruled me ineligible to compete for the job based on my degree. I have one, but it's not the one they require, although closely related. Can I appeal? Should I even bother? My experience would have me easily qualified for the role. I'm not going into specifics just looking for some advice on whether I should appeal their decision? It's a middle management role in civil service. .

November Golf

Hal3000 wrote: »

Hi all, dream job came up recently. Submitted form with over 10 years proven experience in technical role. Public Jobs staff ruled me ineligible to compete for the job based on my degree. I have one, but it's not the one they require, although closely related. Can I appeal? Should I even bother? My experience would have me easily qualified for the role. I'm not going into specifics just looking for some advice on whether I should appeal their decision? It's a middle management role in civil service. .

They are very strict about meeting the qualification requirements of a role and if your qualification is too far out, they have the right to refuse eligibility.

However, how close is your qualification to what they asked for.

Can you make a compelling argument (in three short paragraphs) that your qualification meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the information booklet?

If so, definitely appeal... people make assumption and sometimes they are wrong. You can over turn a decision, if they used bad judgement.

P.S: If they asked for level 8, and you have level 7, unfortunately you are out of luck with that one.

OMM 0000

Your odds of success are higher if you appeal (vs. not appealing), so you should appeal...

Hal3000

Thanks. It's a level 8 and they've asked for a level 8 so I'm OK on that front. The funny thing is years ago they had the requirment of a degree and then they would have "or" experience. Seems now they just want the degree over the experience before you can proceed further. Would it be worth appealing by phone or sending a mail?

Thanks again

rock22

In some cases there are specifics requirements laid down by relevant minister. This especially in health and related sectors. If this is the case an appeal is unlikely to succeed.

Hal3000

rock22 wrote: »

In some cases there are specifics requirements laid down by relevant minister. This especially in health and related sectors. If this is the case an appeal is unlikely to succeed.

Sorry it's for a communications position so nothing overly technical.

Dav010

Hal3000 wrote: »

Sorry it's for a communications position so nothing overly technical.

Is there likely to be a lot of interest in the position? Minimum criteria for applying is often a necessary way of filtering applications to reduce number for consideration.

Hal3000

Dav010 wrote: »

Is there likely to be a lot of interest in the position? Minimum criteria for applying is often a necessary way of filtering applications to reduce number for consideration.

I doubt there would be a huge amount of applications as significant communications experience is required. There was 8 questions outlining experience and none on the degree or qualifications. I got a mail back saying I was not put forward due to not reaching the degree criteria.

Hal3000

Mail sent today. I doubt anything will come of it but wait and hope. I don't know why they didn't have Degree "or" Proven Experience like they used to do. Will post here when I get news.

November Golf

Hal3000 wrote: »

Thanks. It's a level 8 and they've asked for a level 8 so I'm OK on that front. The funny thing is years ago they had the requirment of a degree and then they would have "or" experience. Seems now they just want the degree over the experience before you can proceed further. Would it be worth appealing by phone or sending a mail?

Thanks again

Hal3000 wrote: »

Mail sent today. I doubt anything will come of it but wait and hope. I don't know why they didn't have Degree "or" Proven Experience like they used to do. Will post here when I get news.

Always in writing.

I would image they are just filtering down applications but sometimes they do split hairs (this happened to me on a different comp).

Once you appeal they have to look again and justify the decision. Again, if the justification is flawed - go again

Mrs OBumble

Hal3000 wrote: »

Appealed the degree and was still not accepted. Does anyone know the next steps I can take?

Get the right degree and hope it comes up again.

November Golf

I persume they just sent you the "as per the information booklet" minimum requirements and stated "it does not appear that you meet the above requirements"

Am I right?

November Golf

Ok, is this the communications specialist panel (HEO level) with the civil service.

I don't have the information booklet, which is really annoying but a guy on boards with a similar problem to you said

"They looked for a level 8 in journalism, communications/media, marketing or PR."

Is that right? what your award title?

November Golf

Hal3000 wrote: »

Social Science. I can kind of see their point. This is backed up by 10 years comms experience.

Unfortunately I think your out of luck this time. It really is down to shortlisting - If they can get a candidate with both relevant degree and experience, they will go for that.

I would imagine this comp will come up again in the next two years, if not the general civil service, some departments like revenue may run their own campaigns. You could consider doing a one year higher diploma conversion course in one of the required fields.

Lux23

I think this is ridiculous, I work in Communications and my qualifications are in PR, Digital Comms and Journalism, but you learn everything about our industry on the job and experience counts for so much more.

Whatsit all about

I've entered numerous competitions and only recently was told that the staff vet the application for qualifications and only the applications with the right level degree goes to the shortlisting board to look at experience....