4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[redfrock]

Cheeky I know!

 

I am applying for a new job, having decided on a career change. The right job has finally come up that allows me to transfer my skills, and use my law degree more, while not having to take too huge a pay cut, although enough to still hurt. I have met with someone who has been in the role 20 years and discussed the job in detail and they think i stand a very good chance (only time will tell).

 

The problem is that the application form is just a complete nightmare. I have to complete a section on my 'skills', a section on my 'experience', and then three different sections on 'competencies'. To be honest these all seem to me to overlap so I am really worried that I will simply end up repeating myself.

 

Can someone please enlighten me as to how I should approach these?

[Treekeeper]

Skills = qualifications

 

Experience=where you have been and what you did

 

 

 

Competencies = What necessary skill or knowledge do you have to do the job successfully? man management, time management for example any innovations.

[Willow]

This may be very obvious so forgive me if it is.

 

Rather than detail all skills and competencies in chronological order it would be better if you thought about the new role and what they would be looking for and make sure you emphasise the skills, experience and competencies that you have that match what they would be looking for the job.

[redfrock]

This may be very obvious so forgive me if it is.

 

Rather than detail all skills and competencies in chronological order it would be better if you thought about the new role and what they would be looking for and make sure you emphasise the skills, experience and competencies that you have that match what they would be looking for the job.

 

no I really appreciate all the input. This is how I am doing it at the moment. However the actual application form is broken down into sections / boxes with those headings, which I then have to complete.

 

TK - I have already had to put my qualifications in a different box! See what I mean about it all seeming to overlap!

[jackiepoppies]

When I worked for the civil service, they always liked to have actual [provable] examples of how you could demonstrate the various competencies. Tell a story and emphasise your part in it.

 

Good luck

 

Jackiex

[Snowy]

The way I would interpret it would be:

Skills: your own particular strengths, ie time management, communication, leadership, motivator, accuracy.

Experience: the tangible evidence of skills ie successfully managed a team of x for y years; implemented policies on absence; run successful training courses etc.

Competencies: these are specific to the job/profession, so in my case report writing; case management; rehabilitation planning.

 

Hope this helps

[chocchick]

When I worked for the civil service, they always liked to have actual [provable] examples of how you could demonstrate the various competencies. Tell a story and emphasise your part in it.

 

Good luck

 

Jackiex

Are the sections very open, or are there specific questions under each section we can look at on the forum?

 

You have to be able to demonstrate things so that they can go through a tick list and say that what you have done matches what they want. Using the right language is important e.g. use the exact words from the job description like "project management" when you say you have these skills.

 

You could try just going through each part of the person specification listing examples next to each point before you tackle the form and then choose what goes best where.

 

If you are really lost you could contact the employer to ask if it is OK to use the same examples or if they'd prefer different examples where there is overlap. It sounds like they would overlap. I'd say skills=communication through meeting clients, experience=worked at x ompany for y years meeting clients and competency=when I met with clients on a specific project I had to communicate....and reflecting on this the result was.....

[greenchicken000]

Hi there,

I don't know if this will help I sometimes interview people at work and when looking at application forms prior to anybody even getting to interview is to see if they have read the job application, for instance.

 

The job application may state that you will have to have good IT skills

 

Application form:

 

In previous jobs / roles I have to use a wide range of well known software packages and really enjoy useing computers in my spare time.

 

You have got across the basic point they are looking for, I list in bullet points the main keypoints from the job decriptionand ensure I use these in the context.

Let us all know how you get on!

[Looney]

Have you been given Competency headings? E.g. Working together, Management, Analysis and Use of Evidence etc? If so, it will be easier to put down specific examples of what you have done that proves to the employer that you will be capable of doing the job in question. Usually a single work example per competency is the way forward....what was the task/objective, how (and why) did you decide on a course of action, how (and why) did you carry out the task, how did you tackle any difficulties, what was the end result and lasting impact.

 

For the skills section, I would be tempted to give a brief overview of relevant skills e.g. experience of line management, experience of databases etc etc and leave the heavy detail to the competency section.

 

Experience....previous work history????

 

Good luck, I hate application forms

[redfrock]

Thanks everybody . Your input has been great.

 

I am normally very good at these things but I think it is because I want the job so much that I am panicking

 

I always do as many of you have suggested and give examples of how I meet their criteria, and if I don't have the exact experience, something that shows I have the potential.

 

I went and had some fresh air and played with the chooks and then returned to the form and it flowed much better.

 

I will definitely keep you all posted, however I some knowledge of their recruiting system because somebody I know has been through it and it could be 6 months between initial application and actual start date . I am sure this one will be the same because they ask if there are any dates I can't make for interview over the next 3 months!!! I simply said I can't make Tuesdays (that is always my court day)

 

Now I wonder how I can incorporate my love of chooks into the application form

Edited July 10, 2008 by Guest

[Basset]

This is a well timed message for me too as I've just spent the last two evenings completing an application for a job that I would absolutely love to get! I can't believe the amount of information required. I just hope that my application is considered.

[MedusA]

Usually (within the NHS anyway, so that's all I can comment on), the Job Description and Personal Spec are broken down under these types of headings. Just make sure you get across that you meet ALL the "Essential" critera and as much of the "Desired" criteria as you can. It sounds as if you are well on your way to doing a great application.

 

Most job applications are assessed using a tickbox type matrix anyway these days. As long as your application "ticks the boxes", you should get an interview. THAT is where you can then focus your energies on doing really well.

 

Edited to add: Good Luck!!!!!