Job application by post only?

Fittle

I'm applying for some jobs - I have come across a job I really want to apply for - it's with the Citizens Information Centre, who I would have assumed were 'techy' in that they use the internet alot to get information for their customers, and they have a great, up to date website.

The job application says they won't accept applications by email. It has to be by post, or by hand. Also, there is a phone number to ring to get the job spec.

I'm not complaining, and will probably apply for the job, although I don't have a printer and seldom have credit on my phone to make phonecalls!

I would have thought that in this day and age, and particularly with an organisation like this, they would accept a job application by email, and send a job spec by email. I wonder what other's thoughts on this are and if I should contact them asking the reason they won't accept email applications?

ElleEm

Fittle wrote: »

I'm applying for some jobs - I have come across a job I really want to apply for - it's with the Citizens Information Centre, who I would have assumed were 'techy' in that they use the internet alot to get information for their customers, and they have a great, up to date website.

The job application says they won't accept applications by email. It has to be by post, or by hand. Also, there is a phone number to ring to get the job spec.

I'm not complaining, and will probably apply for the job, although I don't have a printer and seldom have credit on my phone to make phonecalls!

I would have thought that in this day and age, and particularly with an organisation like this, they would accept a job application by email, and send a job spec by email. I wonder what other's thoughts on this are and if I should contact them asking the reason they won't accept email applications?

You could email and ask for the job spec by email, i can't imagine that would be a problem. I would wonder is the application by post to save on cost for them. As far as I remember, the application is quite a few pages. They would have to print at least one copy themselves. Maybe it's easier to organise and shortlist from post.

phormium

That's definitely to save themselves the hassle of printing out what is a very long application form three times, one for each member of the interview panel. I applied for a job with them some time back and had to actually send 3 copies myself, lot of printing!

Fittle

Thanks -the ad specifically says they won't send job specs by email - hadn't thought of it being a paper-saving exercise on their part - yep, three applications also...very odd in this day I age!

bootybouncer

Fittle wrote: »

Thanks -the ad specifically says they won't send job specs by email - hadn't thought of it being a paper-saving exercise on their part - yep, three applications also...very odd in this day I age!

No its not.....................you would want to calm down with the negatives and dont start going into the interview with this day age nonsense.............remember you are providing a service to the public and alot of people you will potentially deal with will not be of the interweb age

Fittle

I'm sorry 'calm down with the negatives'?. The job is advertised online (it's on at least five websites that I have seen) , which means those that are applying, would see the job online, which in turn means they are proficient in the use of the internet?

I have applied for about 50 jobs and this is the first one I have come across where they won't accept an application online, or indeed communicate online - their website is one of the best out there, I just find it strange that they won't accept online applications!

phormium

After your first post I had a little look at the CIB vacancies online, the spec is there and the application form and it actually says you must send 4 copies of application on their own site. Was thinking of applying but it's a bit far from me

stevenmu

It seems a bit bizarre to me. I don't see why they can't email it around internally rather than printing it off. And when it comes to the interview, it would be standard practice for the candidate to bring a few copies of their CV so they can give one to everyone there.

phormium

They don't want the CV at interview, each interviewer will have a copy of the application form in front of them and it's a fairly long one so they are simply saving the cost and time of printing them off themselves if applications were emailed in.

Mrs OBumble

I really don't see what you are finding difficult to understand: they are saving their money and time by making you print off the paperwork that they need to manage an interview process. Effecitvely shifting some of the cost of recruitment onto you, the applicant.

Quite common in organisations that focus on getting the most value from their funding.

Perhaps it is a way of reducing the number of applications or filtering out those that send on generic CVs to any job that comes up?

I can only imagine they would get hundreds of applications online - restricting it to paper probably reduces this significantly.

Mr. Loverman

Look at it as a good thing. Apply by post probably means fewer applicants.

tatli_lokma

As Mrs Obumble says what's the big deal? The recruiter has specified quite clearly how they want to receive applications. You either follow those instructions and be in with a chance of you don't and have your application dismissed outright. There are probably cost saving reasons for the application format but also I would say it is to see who can follow instructions and provide the information asked in the manner requested.

Where I work we have a very set format of how applications must be received. We specifically ask applicants to apply in that format. We give all the information required to apply and yet any time we have listed a job we get emails asking questions and requesting if they can do something other than what is specified despite it being very clear what the application process is. We also get applications which totally dismiss half the instructions listed on the application. Needless to say none of aforementioned applicants get through the initial screening since they cannot even follow the instructions in the advert.

Fittle

There is no big deal.

I was merely pointing out that I thought it was unusual that any company would only accept applications via post.

In my company, we receive approx 80 applications by email for every position we advertise.

However, we accept all of them by email and only print off the ones that make it to interview (usually 6), having circulated the emails internally - there is no need for us to print all 80 applications off. I would have thought this was the norm.

We also have a set format, and insist that all applicants apply via application form (rather than CV), and those that don't, don't get further than their first email.

tatli_lokma

Fittle wrote: »

There is no big deal.

I was merely pointing out that I thought it was unusual that any company would only accept applications via post.

In my company, we receive approx 80 applications by email for every position we advertise.

However, we accept all of them by email and only print off the ones that make it to interview (usually 6), having circulated the emails internally - there is no need for us to print all 80 applications off. I would have thought this was the norm.

We also have a set format, and insist that all applicants apply via application form (rather than CV), and those that don't, don't get further than their first email.

No, it's not the 'norm' because there is no norm in these things. For every company there is potentially a different procedure. Where I work all applications must be printed in hard copy and have a rating sheet attached and even unsuccessful applications are held in hard copy for 12 months. A lot of public sector or semi-private sector roles would be the same I imagine.

Cushie Butterfield

Fittle wrote: »

I'm applying for some jobs - I have come across a job I really want to apply for - it's with the Citizens Information Centre, who I would have assumed were 'techy' in that they use the internet alot to get information for their customers, and they have a great, up to date website.

The job application says they won't accept applications by email. It has to be by post, or by hand. Also, there is a phone number to ring to get the job spec.

I'm not complaining, and will probably apply for the job, although I don't have a printer and seldom have credit on my phone to make phonecalls!

I would have thought that in this day and age, and particularly with an organisation like this, they would accept a job application by email, and send a job spec by email. I wonder what other's thoughts on this are and if I should contact them asking the reason they won't accept email applications?

Back in the days before on-line job applications were the norm, jobseekers were able to go into a FÁS office during certain hours & make phone calls to prospective employers. Free access to printers & photocopiers was also available.

I know this is a once off situation & that you'll probably sort things out, but if I was in your position I'd pay a visit to my local employment services office & ask them for access to a phone & a printer/pc to assist your efforts in finding a job. It doesn't seem like an unreasonable request. Failing that you could ask a family member or friend that can make calls to 076 numbers as part of their call package to let you use their phone, & you could also email your CV to someone that has access to a printer & ask them to print out three copies. It's not ideal, but sometimes if needs must etc.

confuseddotcom

Would have looked on it as a way for them to make Applicant's personalize and tweak their individual Application's by posting or handing it in rather than emailing in a CV that may be the expect same bar the Company name for other job's you would also have applied for. I don't think it's a cost-saving exercise to be honest. If ya do apply best of luck.

pow wow

It's becoming more and more common not, particular in non-profit and funded organisations and is really about cost saving, although the added benefit of not having everyone on the planet email in a CV/app form helps. I got interviews from every hard copy application I've submitted, and given how many PFOs I would have gotten in the past I definitely think the paper application puts a lot of people off (ultimately working in your favour!). If you have a local Job Club they usually have free access to printers, envelopes, stamps etc. for hard copy applications. Public libraries have reasonably priced access to computers/printers too.

MouseTail

Fittle wrote: »

In my company, we receive approx 80 applications by email for every position we advertise.
However, we accept all of them by email and only print off the ones that make it to interview (usually 6), having circulated the emails internally - there is no need for us to print all 80 applications off. I would have thought this was the norm.

As has been stated, there is no norm, where I work has a similar system to the CIC. A hard copy of each application is given to each member of the shortlisting panel, which is then scored against the job spec. HR do not shortlist. A panel does, not all of whom are internal people. Hence the need for 4 copies.