I must admit I thought that Vincent Granville's first posting was a
wind-up, and that he was just having a pop at all the ways in which
stats is abused for profit. Now, having read his second posting, I
realise with surprise that he was serious!
I suppose the issue it highlights is whether a job is chosen for job
satisfaction or simply to make money. Well, it takes all sorts.
I'd just like to wish Vanessa well and encourage her to keep plugging
away. Many of the suggestions made by others about interview technique
are very helpful.
Tempting though it is, I think it can be a mistake to make lots of
applications. Better to choose carefully those jobs which you feel well
suited to, and which you believe you would enjoy doing. As an occasional
interviewer I am most impressed by candidates who have obviously thought
about the particular job they are applying for, and have tailored their
application to that post. What is required is a convincing answer to the
question "What is it that attracts you to this job?" (with the emphasis
on THIS JOB). There is a sense of relief on an interview panel when they
see the first candidate on the shortlist who is appointable, by which I
mean they satisfy the requirements of the job but also that they will
accept the job if offered and they appear keenly interested in doing so.
With regard to the comments Vanessa quotes, her lack of experience
should be obvious from her application, so it is surprising that it has
come up at interview - if she were too inexperienced to be considered
you would expect she would be screened at shortlisting time.
Trevor Lambert
Views or opinions expressed are personal.
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: A UK-based worldwide e-mail broadcast system mailing list
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Vanessa Narayanassamy
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 6:21 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: no experience, no jobs
> >
> > I have made lots of application for the post of statisticians
(around
> 90-
> > 95) and I had 56 interviews. I have attended all these interviews
and
> I
> > could see myself getting a job. I have asked for feedbacks for all
> these
> > interviews I have been attending. I will give some examples of the
> > feedbacks:
> >
> > For example the interview I have attended at UCL:
> >
> > She said to me that I was very impressed by you as a good
interviewee,
> > unfortunately we cannot proceed your application further.
> >
> > An interview I attended at the University of Bristol:
> >
> > We were very impressed by you as a good interviewee, but
unfortunately
> you
> > have been beaten up by somebody who have got the experience.
> >
> > The interview I attended at Roche as a Safety Data Analyst:
> >
> > She said that thare is something to do with the personality and
that
> one
> > of
> > the person who interviewed me would not be able to get on with me
and
> > obviously you will not be able to get on with us. When I asked
what's
> > wrong
> > with my personality, she said that she will not be able to tell me
> more
> > about it. She even said to me to re-apply for jobs at Roche
whenever
> there
> > are any advertisement. But I do not feel like applying for jobs at
> this
> > company again.
> >
> > The interview I had at Smith & Nephew said that I had all the
skills
> but
> > somebody had the experience.
> >
> > Today I had another rejection at NIBSC and thay said that they
would
> not
> > be
> > able to take my application any further.
> >
> > I had an interview at The University of Cambridge and I am still
> waiting
> > for their response. I do not know what the response will be.
> >
> > I will not be able to mention all the feedbacks. Actually the
> feedbacks
> > were approximately the same. Actually, I do not know where is the
> exact
> > cause. I do not even know if the employers are being honest with
me.
> Or
> > they do not want me to work with them just because of my ethnic
> minority.
> > I
> > feel that I do have all the necessary qualifications and skills and
if
> > they
> > do not take give me the chance where I am going to get the
experience.
> I
> > feel that I have been wasting a lot of money and time to study for
> these
> > qualifications and gaining all these skills and in the end I feel
> there is
> > no jobs for me.
> >
> > Vanessa
>
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