h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey Ben, I wonder if there's any chance you could have a read of the rest of the page I've written? I won't mind at all if you'd rather not, but you've always had a brilliant head and I'd appreciate your input.

No sweat. Put it here or email it to agirlcalledben at yahoo dot co dot uk. There's a challenge email from Spam Arrest to check you aren't a bot, but you'll only have to reply to that once.

Lanza's clearly experienced in this area too.

Ben

I've nabbed lanza already 30 secs, I'll post it here. Trying to hit the Personal Specs listed in the further particulars here http://www3.open.ac.uk/employment/job-details.asp?id=5029&ref=ext (it's in a table else I'd paste 'em here).

Currently I am working in the Examinations Department of the Open University, primarily involved in enabling students to take their exams overseas.

From July 2009 till January 2010 I was employed on a temporary basis at the Student Registration & Enquiry Service here at the OU. When my calls were reviewed not long after training, the report particularly mentioned that they were "excellent", and that I am "very helpful and knowledgeable regarding the processes and procedures".

As you may note from my previous training, I received 2 Distinctions for keyboard skills. While studying for my first NVQs, I completed the 3 months full time training in just 2, which is unlikely to have been possible were my English and Maths skills not far higher than my academic record would suggest. Some years ago I also spent time working as a Course Secretary for the Health & Social Care course team at the OU. Again this role required the same level of skill as that required of an SRS Assistant, which I am able to provide.

My time spent spent in retail is something I value greatly for teaching me customer service. It led to being able to deal with any customer situation I have encountered, including a telephone position where 90 percent of the customers were irate due to the service they had received before I took over the role. During my temping period, I worked for Merchants; a call centre service company, where I was consistently amongst the top achievers, without resorting to using any 'pushy' sales tactics. I have worked as Front of House staff for various companies, from high profile business to a local Health Centre. All of this experience, along with some very interesting bar work at Milton Keynes Theatre, means that I can always present a calm, friendly and professional approach as the voice, or face, of the Open University.

Working at DHL on behalf of Cadbury is extremely pressurised in the run up to Christmas and Easter. Frequently unadvised stock would arrive from across Europe which I would have to fit in to the already tight schedule, whilst calmly dealing with non-english speaking drivers angry at any possibility of being delayed further after having travelled for days. New instructions would frequently arrive from large supermarket customers which again would involve absorbing extra work. Maintaining a high accuracy of work was extremely important at these times, and was delivered.

I believe that each individual of a team should be valued, if only because people think in different ways, and what is blindingly apparent to one may be completely missed by another. It is important that team members feel valued and therefore confident in bringing forward new ideas to improve the team work and business as a whole.

One of the interesting things about working in a 24 hour business environment has been working with people from many cultures and backgrounds, and I have always encouraged any colleague to apply for roles to which I believe they would flourish.

One of the things which impresses me most about the Open University is the commitment to Equal Opportunities. The ethos carries through from drawing up the OU Equality Scheme, to the day to day physical changes that have been made, such as braille signs, automatic doors and ramps which make the workplace immediately accessible. This continues via the variety of alternative formats and methods of making studying available to as many students as possible. The Open University embodies inclusivity.

>> When my calls were reviewed not long after training, the report particularly mentioned that they were "excellent", and that I am "very helpful and knowledgeable regarding the processes and procedures".

The review of my calls not long after training stated that they were ...


>> As you may note from my previous training, I received 2 Distinctions for keyboard skills. While studying for my first NVQs, I completed the 3 months full time training in just 2, which is unlikely to have been possible were my English and Maths skills not far higher than my academic record would suggest.

I obtained 2 Distinctions for my keyboard skills in my [level / subject / qualification] training. My English and Maths skills have improved during my working life since I took my GCSEs, as evidenced by the fact I completed the 3 months full-time training in just 2.


>> Some years ago I also spent time working as a Course Secretary for the Health & Social Care course team at the OU. Again this role required the same level of skill as that required of an SRS Assistant, which I am able to provide

Kick off this section with this sentence, and remove "also" and "again".


>> I worked for Merchants; a call centre service company, where I was consistently amongst the top achievers, without resorting to using any 'pushy' sales tactics.

... top sales achievers ... (I assume it was sales?) - how did you achieve this? ... listening to the customer requirements ... making sure I fully understood what the customer needed ... taking care to understand what the customer wanted ...


>> Maintaining a high accuracy of work was extremely important at these times, and was delivered.

... I maintained the high accuracy of work which was ...


>> I believe that each individual of a team should be valued, if only because people think in different ways, and what is blindingly apparent to one may be completely missed by another.

Loose the second comma, and maybe the first.


>> One of the things which impresses me most about the Open University is the commitment to Equal Opportunities.

I have always been impressed by the Open University's commitment to diversity.


Then say something about your response to the fact that the OU embodies inclusivity. "I have been proud to be part of an organisation which...." YOu might use the word "values" (your values, their values) in thsi section.




Ben

Thank you so very much, and I was just thinking about how to finish off along the lines of being proud to work for an organisation which shares my values! Good to know I was heading in the right direction.

Difficult because my English and Maths have always been fairly good, and my lack of GCSEs was more due to not turning up to school, than lack of ability.

Thanks again.

Well, fairly good for working in warehouses!

It might be worth either doing those two again at some point, or doing an English A Level which would trump the GCSE.

Good luck with it. I'd certainly interview based on that application, but the ways of employers are inscrutable, and not to be understood.

Cheers

Ben

Any news?

Interested wierdos want to know.

No! I've been waiting to give thanks to you and lanza for helping getting me to interview, but haven't been told yet!

Interviews start on Monday so if I haven't heard anything by the end of the day tomorrow it's not looking good.

I was sure I'd at least get an interview. After a chat with my Team Leader from my last stint there, I'd expanded on each Personal Attribute point a bit more clearly. Was even pleased with my covering letter, where you had to note how you met each personal specification, again.
It was a good application, I did a good job there before, and have the support of my old Team Leader, so hopefully they're keeping all the applicants waiting about interviews and haven't just ditched me without letting me know!

Meh. How rude and thoughtless of them. It always amazes me what a one way street this game is, and how no-body seems to think that's not ok.



Ben

I got an interview!

Got the letter over the weekend. It's on Thursday morning. Have had a chat with a recent interviewee to get some pointers, and have got a meeting with my old Team Leader tomorrow for some more tips.
Eating lots of carrots to try and help it all stay in my head!

OOohhh!

The best advice I can give for interviews is remember to breathe!

It's perfectly ok to buy time by saing "I am sorry - I really want this job so I'm very nervous - can you repeat the question" or "let me think about my answer for a few moments" or even "can we come back to that later - I want to think about it for a while".

Fingers toes legs and eyes all crossed for you!

Ben

Didn't get the job. Instead they've recommended me for appointment on the fixed-term contract positions that'll be open later on in the year. I'm hoping that means I won't have to interview again!
Could work out well; turns out the job I was going for involves a lot less customer facing work, and a lot more record checking tedium, and if I get the fixed term contract I'll still be able to apply for more jobs at the OU, so more doors open.

Thanks again for all your help, was very much appreciated.

Oooohhhh. I'm not sure what to make of that. I guess it means that if you don't like the fixed term contract you can stick it out till it ends and you know when that will be - no anguish of indecision about leaving, or problems explaining it on your application form.

So when are the fixed term jobs starting, and are they recommending you apply, recommending you are considered, or recommending you are appointed?

Also - did they give any feedback or say what the person they offered had that you didn't? You are absolutely ok to ask for feedback on why they didn't appoint you.

Thanks for letting me know. I've been wondering.

Ben

Oh I know I'll like the fixed term contract, as that would be exactly what I was doing before - i.e. more customer facing.

They're starting in July, and they've recommended me for appointment, and said they'll let me know a bit more in a few weeks.

I haven't asked for feedback, thanks for the reminder. Not sure quite the best way to ask, I'll be googling that tomorrow

Dear HR Person / Interviewer

This is just a quick note firstly to say thank you for the [noun - eg professionalism / interview / support / quick response]. It [nice phrase - eg confirmed my impressions of the OU as a good employer / explained the nature of the position more clearly / is good to know that I have the OU's support for the fixed term contract].

I do have one request - I'd appreciate feedback on the interview, the areas where [good things - eg I came across well / have suitable skills / which are my strengths] and the areas [bad things - eg which are development areas / where I was not such a good fit for the post / where I was not as strong as the appointee]. It would be [random cliche eg good to get an outside view / useful to see myself as others see me / helpful in my professional development].

Once again, thank you all for your [noun or phrase - eg time / professionalism / courtesy / help in this matter / support throughout the process]

Love and kisses

Queeglesproggit