Thanks for all the fish

[j4]

Right. Thank you very much for all the useful hints and tips. (Nobody actually sent me any fish.) You're all fab.

Anyway, I've sent the bloody thing in now on the basis that something is better than nothing, and while I could keep refining and revising it for the rest of my life I wouldn't actually be any closer to getting a job...

Wonder if the temp agency will come up with anything. They didn't sound very hopeful about getting me part-time work. :-(

Comments

Re: Misc, etc

[rmc28]

Ok, these 'essential skills' are rather woolly in phrasing, but here's my take on it:

'Understanding of Internet technologies e.g. IP, http, html' gives no indication of how much - if you have working knowledge then you can tick that one. Ditto for 'Database experience' - if you can speak SQL that's more than adequate. As you so rightly say, 'environment of confidentiality' is hardly difficult to grasp.

So you're left with one thing you don't actually have experience of, and they also highlight 'ability to learn new skills fast' which you do have and pretty much cancels that out.

A technical manager friend always says you should look at the job they want you to do rather than the buzzword bingo. If you think you can do the job, you should apply, even if you can't tick all the boxes.

It worked for me when I got my current job. Now, the job market was different then, and my department wasn't exactly swamped with candidates, but I got the job because I was convinced I could do it, and managed to convince them too (and proved myself right as time went on too).

The experience in your CV is fantastic - it shows a broad range of skills, very high intelligence, the ability to learn fast in many different areas and the ability to communicate very well. Best of luck :)