Well this is quite the cumbersome job application

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/30/2015 at 12:02 • Filed to: None

There’s this job that I want. I want it bad. I want it so bad because I would be so good at it, and that would be so, so good. The only problem is the application. It is, to say the least, extremely detailed. Here’s the “exam” I have to take with it:

1. As the Director of Talent, Recruitment and Engagement, this position provides strategic leadership, policy direction and management of staff. In your response, describe your experience performing the following:

Providing strategic and day-to-day direction to staff to ensure a high-performing unit

Establishing performance expectations/standards

Participating in on-boarding processes to acclimate new staff

Reviewing staff work products and providing feedback

Participating in attracting and hiring staff to build and promote a diverse workforce

Leading individuals in a specific program area, (e.g., recruitment, engagement, communication, etc.).

Be specific as to:

Your specific role, (e.g., supervisor, team leader, project leader, team member, etc.) in the above tasks to provide raters a complete picture of the nature and scope of your experience.

Type and size of organization, (e.g., public sector, government, post-secondary institution, private business, etc.; [1000+people, 501-999 people; under 500 people]).

2. This position serves as the campus subject matter expert on recruitment. Describe your experience and/or education related to the development and management of employee recruitment. Include the following in your response:

Serving as a subject matter expert on recruitment policies and procedures

Evaluating recruitment practices and making recommendations for improvements

Leading and designing effective systems for recruitment

Providing guidance and direction of contemporary recruitment strategies to managers and staff

Deploying recruitment strategies to attract diverse, high-quality applicants

Be specific as to:

Your level of independence/responsibility (e.g. independent, team member, etc.) in the above tasks to provide raters a complete picture of the nature and scope of your experience.

Type and size of organization, (e.g., public sector, government, post-secondary institution, private business, etc.); [1000+people, 501-999 people; under 500 people].

3. This position serves as the campus subject matter expert on employee engagement. Describe your experience and/or education related to the development and management of employee engagement. Include the following in your response:

Serving as a subject matter expert on employee engagement policies and procedures

Evaluating engagement practices and making recommendations for improvements, including whether the recommendation(s) were implemented.

Overseeing the management of resources and tools related to employee engagement

Be specific as to:

Your level of independence/responsibility (e.g. independent, team member, etc.) in the above tasks to provide raters a complete picture of the nature and scope of your experience.

Type, (e.g., public sector, government, post-secondary institution, private business, etc.) and size of organization, (1000+people, 501-999 people; under 500 people).

4. Describe your experience and/or education related to professional communication and collaboration. Include the following in your response:

Collaborating with groups to re-engineer efforts to develop efficient processes to satisfy organizational goals and objectives

Promoting collaboration with stakeholders to analyze processes and inefficiencies

Facilitating discussions with individuals/groups with differing perspectives

Demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to change

Maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders

Be specific as to:

Your level of responsibility (e.g. independent, team member, etc.)

Type, (e.g., public sector, government, post-secondary institution, private business, etc.) and size of organization, (1000+people, 501-999 people; under 500 people).

Yeah, they weren’t kidding when they called it an exam. My only hope is that because I’m such a patient guy and I’ll actually take the time to write out responses to all this crap, and that I’m so much more patient than other people, that not many other people will bother to apply.

Then again, being patient is one of the things that has gotten me to the point where I’m actually qualified for this job, so it could stand to reason that there are other similarly qualified and patient people as me out there, and then I’ll have some competition.

Time to go waste a couple hours this weekend writing out my term paper!

DISCUSSION (11)

Mattbob > Textured Soy Protein
04/30/2015 at 12:06

I think taking the time to write responses to all of the questions in detail is part of the exam itself. It shows attention to detail and work ethic.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein
04/30/2015 at 12:07

Just remember, after you send in your application/resume, the most important thing is to follow up.

By “follow up” I mean bug the shit out of them until they give you the job. haha

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
04/30/2015 at 12:08

Maybe if today was Opposite Day.

uofime > Textured Soy Protein
04/30/2015 at 12:12

yeah, that does look like a massive pain in the butt, you're going to have to channel some serious BS to knock that one out!

Textured Soy Protein > uofime
04/30/2015 at 12:15

Actually the only one that I’m going to have to BS anything for is #4 because communication styles are pretty vague. The first 3 are things I’ve done plenty of.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Textured Soy Protein
04/30/2015 at 12:16

Ok, I obviously didn’t mean annoy them with follow ups. (Someone really needs to invent a sarcasm font) But if you don’t express your interest again after the initial contact your chances of getting the job are going to drop. Give them a little bit of time to get back to you, but if it’s taking a bit don’t just sit around waiting for them to respond. I’m not saying to email or call the next day, but if it’s been about 1 business week and you haven’t heard back; give them a call or send an email expressing your desire for the position and inquiring about the status of your application.

I got my current job after about a year of routine contact with an HR department at the company. Eventually they realized that I really wanted to work there and that I have something to offer, so they flew me out for an interview and ended up creating a position for me. Showing ambition and continued interest in the job is a lot more likely to land you the position than sending in the app and just waiting for them to realize how awesome you’d be for it.

uofime > Textured Soy Protein
04/30/2015 at 12:23

Awesome! When I say BS in the context of interview type questions I of course don't mean lie, just exaggerate somewhat, apply greater meaning to actions that you've done than you normally would have.

I've always found it funny when filling these sort of things out, because I start thinking" wow, I've done some really great sounding things!"

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
04/30/2015 at 12:32

Seconded. It’s always good to follow up that day or the next with just a quick e-mail of “Hey thanks again for taking the time to interview me. Hope to hear from you soon.” And like you said, then in about a week give a call and say “Hey, was wondering if you have made a decision or when I can expect to hear from you. I’m still really interested. kthnxby”

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/30/2015 at 12:33

Exactly.

Textured Soy Protein > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
04/30/2015 at 12:34

Yes I know you’re being sarcastic. So was I.

But on a serious note, your experience is very much outside the norm. I say this as someone who has nearly a decade of staffing, HR and career services experience.

Your current company’s HR department is one that understands proactive recruiting and keeping in contact with candidates. They probably also understand why it’s good to provide a good candidate experience.

While companies like yours do exist, and those are exactly the kind of recruiting best practices that I preach, there are way more companies out there who stick with the more old-school philosophy that they need to keep a wall up between the company and candidates.

Sure, following up makes sense, but the reality is that more often than not the most interaction you’ll ever get is you sending a thank-you email to your interviewer the next day, then waiting a while to maybe send a request for an update on the status of your application, and then hearing back,

“Thank you for taking the time to apply for the ___ position. While your skills and experience are impressive, we have selected another candidate.”

Frank Grimes > Textured Soy Protein
04/30/2015 at 13:16

I couldnt get past the first 8 words before I let out a legit groan of terror and frustration. who writes these things?!!!!