So for context, I have been working for over 16 years at 4 employments, so an average of a job move every 4 years, but this is the first time in ages I've used online applications. Previous jobs have been earned via either word of mouth, ex-employees or ex-customers rather than through recruitment agencies and websites but I thought “hey, it's the modern era, I'll use job websites instead”.
In short, I don't know how you all manage to stay sane looking for jobs online. This is just a few of the things I have noticed that just seem bizarre:
- Companies asking for CVs and cover letters, nothing too unusual there, but then also requesting that same information being put into an online form. I'm duplicating up on work, and I really can't fathom why they approach it this way.
- After submitting my CV and cover letter, one company sent me an automatic reply email requesting that I complete a 6 minute pre-recorded call for me to answer some interview questions which I could call “at my convenience”. So basically it's an interview before the interview?
- Hardly any of the posts have anything concrete about consideration both financial (i.e. salary!) and non-financial (holiday entitlement). In some instances, even location was omitted (the town I live in is large, so I need a postcode or zip code to see how far I would need to commute). How can I make an informed decision when the largest metrics as to whether I can even consider this position is withheld?
- I had one person call me to “talk about the position”, but all it was them saying was asking me questions I had already answered in the CV and the cover letter – why I wanted the job, was it commutable (which was hilarious as this particular job was literally a 10 minute walk from my home and my address was on both documents they already had in their position).
- I had another (non-recruiter) email me about a completely different position I hadn't even applied for, saying they had put me forward as they saw I was looking at a different job at the same company. The position looked awful, was not ideal for my skill set or experience and was for less money!
- Some of the positions have unusual demands, I notice similar jobs having wildly different requirements, sometimes boarding on the absurd, for previous experience or knowledge. This was true for even trainee positions. I saw one that said “this would be perfect for someone looking to make their first step into X side of the profession”, but then having a minimum of 3 years of experience in said profession as a hard requirement. I mean which is it?!?
- Of the many applications I have made, few have replied to me directly about the position I actually was interested in, whether to say I was successful or if they found someone else for the position. It's a bit like being in limbo waiting!
I'm just losing confidence in the whole approach honestly. How do you all manage to keep sane whilst doing this? Do you think there should be some sort of standard that job roles and descriptions must adhere to as a minimum, and perhaps something regarding how to inform applicants whether they have been successful or not? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?