Job Application Help

[A J]

I've been looking for work for the last 4-6 months, since graduating. Very little has got back to me, but a nearly perfect position (Police constable) has just started recruiting, with an application form to initially send in. I've done all the usual fill in the blank bits, but at the end there are a series of questions, which have me slightly stumped as to exactly what they want to hear, I will contact careers advice at my old Uni but thought I might run some past you guys on here first.

• Please describe a specific situation when you have communicated ideas or information effectively to another

  person or group of people.

   

  This one is especially difficult to think about, the only thing that does spring to mind, is doing a few presentations at University, would this be good enough though?

   

• Please describe a specific situation when you have persevered or have had to put in extra effort in order to

  complete a task.

   

  Not as difficult as the first, but not entirely sure what the perfect answer might be to this, I never seem to have to persevere to complete tasks, again only situations that have happened in education, like ensuring a 10,000 word report is handed in on time come to mind.

   

• Please describe a specific example of a time when you have found yourself in a difficult or

  challenging situation.

   

  Ok another question similar to the last, I'm going to be tempted into telling a little lie for this, any suggestions or is that a terrible idea. Maybe I could just exaggerate something, i.e. the time I fell a few metres off a small cliff actually was a lot worse and I had to....

   

• Please describe a specific situation when you have been required to demonstrate sensitivity or have shown

  understanding of the needs/views of another person or group of people.

  In your response to this question you may draw on your past experience when you have dealt with others who

  are different from you in any way.

   

  - I have no idea what to put here, I seriously do not think I have ever been in that position. I'm sure I could demonstrate sensitivity, but never been given the chance.

Thanks for any advice or guidance, sorry if this should be posted elsewhere on the forum.

[K^2]

In each of these, you need to highlight a personal quality.

 

1) Communication and leadership.

 

2) Going the extra mile.

 

3) Working well under pressure.

 

4) Embracing diversity.

 

 

It's really more about how you write than the specific situation. Find anything that loosely fits, describe it in the way that highlights the required quality, and don't be worried if you have to boast a little bit. That's kind of the point here.

 

By the way, what did you major in?

[fgcarva1]

SInce I'm currently applying to a few universities, I get those type of questions. WHat I have learned is that rather than knowing about the "event", they really want to know about YOU and how your positive characteristics have helped you succeed those times. Your good traits and sh*t. My recommendation is make sure you point out how those events show your good skills that will lead you to help the company (Police?) succeed.

[wildstyle91]

I hate those sort of questions, you could also come up with all sorts of nonsense that you haven't even done. Surely a reference would be much more suitable than to ask these sorts of questions?

[A J]

To be honest I've done these kind of questions before and really struggled with them, I know they don't wish to know the in's and out's of an event, rather if you are capable of meeting those important characteristics, but the one question which does trouble me is "demonstrate sensitivity"... all the others I guess with a little boastfulness should be fine, but I can't think of a damn thing to put for this specific question.

 

I'm constantly thinking what I could put, that sounds believable and is close to the truth, but there is nothing at present, I don't want to go into the careers department, and say "let's just make something up for this bit"!

 

 

[K^2]

I hope you understand that they aren't looking for touchy-feely sensitivity here. It's the kind where you don't make inappropriate jokes when telling someone their relatives died. I'm hoping none of situations you can use as an example are anything nearly that drastic, but this is the sort of thing they're looking for.

[A J]

Thanks K2,

 

But I can't think of anything, even minor incidences. By the way I forgot to mention I achieved a 2:1 in Geography and Natural Hazard Management.

 

The questions have prompts like this

 

Why was it necessary to demonstrate sensitivity or show understanding?

 

How did you deal with the situation and how did you make sure that you demonstrated sensitivity or showed understanding?

 

What was particularly good or effective about how you dealt with the situation/people involved?

 

What did you consider when dealing with the situation?

 

What difficulties did you experience and how did you overcome them?

 

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This is not going to be fun or easy to do, and the worse thing, I don't have a lot of time to spare