[Snowie]

It's some-thing I feel pretty strongly about I beleave its the one way you can stand out from the crowd positivily.
I rremember hearing on news talk about getting jobs and interveiws I can't remember who the guys name is. But he said some really true things..
About Irish people as hole in regards to selling them selves that its looked down on or we as a nation don't do it enough and really project self beleif in to things like a covering letter and that genrally said that we tend to stick to a very robotic, manor.

I thaught that was some of the best advise I've ever heard as it made me see that to apply to jobs you really have to make an effot. And show that you have the Intelegence, to relate to the job through past experence.

The other day, I receaved a letter for a collage course I'm applying for saying that I had to come in for a comprehension test... as I'm a mature student. I'm pretty anxed up about it, not to mention I can barely use a pen and worse still Im dyslexic, Ive grown so used to the keyboard that writing, with a pen or pencil just turns into the worst parinoia/anxirty/onfussion and leads me down a not so nice experence. And just totally loose it.

Its left me thinking that maybe, I should adress the collage with a letter syaing why I really want to do the course and why ive chosen it and give some solid back ground proof to why I beleave I can do the course pass and gain employment. it isnt required but I feel uneasy about doing this comprehension test. I dont see why it wouldnt help tip the ballance in my favour some what and into todays climate with the amount of unemployed people applying for collage its dog eat dog allmost...

But its also left me wondering, if you really wanted somthing and beleaved that you could ace it. Would you fight that little bit harder. Knowing full well youve got bucket loads of experence with in the industry ?


Itd be great for some other opinions, thanks..

[Khannie]

Originally Posted by Snow-Monkey

But its also left me wondering, if you really wanted somthing and beleaved that you could ace it. Would you fight that little bit harder. Knowing full well youve got bucket loads of experence with in the industry ?

Well.....would I fight that little bit harder? Probably, but it depends. I honestly believe that sometimes that can be counter-productive. That you can be OTT and that can be off-putting / make you look desperate.

When there's a job that I want will I structure my CV in such a way that it'll get me in front of someone because I think that's where I'm gonna nail it. I mean, I've got a good CV; I've been in my industry for a long time, I'm technically competent, good at what I do and I work hard to earn my wage, but I don't think that's necessarily what gets me a job at interview time. I think it's walking in like I've got a pair and answering questions like I've got a pair.

Having said that....I've previously interviewed a guy (who we subsequently hired) who was *really* shy though. I mean really *seriously* shy. I was in a corporate at the time and being a "team player" and having "good communication skills" was considered important, but the guy was very good technically. Better than other candidates who were team players and had good communication skills.

Anyway, we hired the guy and it was a really smart move. He was good at his job and worked hard.

I guess the moral of the story is....I dunno.

[CDfm]

Or you could try and find out if the college has a policy on dyslexics. I mean you get blind guys going to college etc.

The worst thing is thinking you are the only person.

Try finding out discreetly at first - see the link below and it lists colleges and support services. Also dont be afraid to phone up the Students Union Office at the College and ask them can they find out for you.

Edit : here is a link I have found which may be of some use

http://www.dyslexia.ie/third.htm

[Scarlett68]

Hi Snow-monkey, as someone who works in a third level institution I think its imperative to say firstly that dyslexia is not perceived as an issue. In fact there are several support mechanisms in place in all institutions to cater for this and many many other disabilities. (things like laptops, voice recognition software, quiet rooms for study, your own room in exams, extra time, extra tuition, readers, writers, mentors etc.....too vast to list everything)

I dont know what they have said to you in relation to the "comprehension" test but I know that where I work it is strictly to assess a few things: 1) that you indeed know whats involved in the course and that you are aware of the levels of effort you are expected to give 2) that you have picked the best course for you and 3) to assure themselves that your level of English is adequate - this is very important to colleges these days because of the number of foreign students. They do see having to teach a student English as not being part of their remit, and if the course is technical in nature this requires a whole other vocabulary and can prove a major stumbling block to a lot of foreign students.

Additionally, I would say that unless there a limited number of places on the course (which limits the number of mature places pro rata) they will in all likelyhood offer you a place. A letter written by you may end up just being filed by admissions and may never be seen by the staff in your department, so while it cant hurt it may not achieve anything either (just be aware of that).

As a final parting shot I would like to reassure you that every assistance will be offered to you to help you cope with your dyslexia; it is not an impediment and is not looked on by an institution as being a negative. The only thing the college will want from you is to show your commitment.

Best of luck and if you want to ask me anything else you can always PM me.