Sep 152006
Number Two Son is applying for a weekend job at the local branch of a chain of clothing shops. One of the questions on the application form was that old chestnut: Please explain why you have an interest in working for this company? Why on earth do they bother to ask this, especially when the applicant is a student looking for weekend work!
I told him to say that he had an interest in fashion and retail and enjoyed working with the public. Yes, it’s a big fat lie, but saying ‘I’m only after the money’ wasn’t going to get him very far.
Oh, and if you ever wondered what your spammer name would be, now’s your chance to find out . . .
My spammer name is Embraceable W. Aficionado.
Technorati Tags: stupid+job+application+questions, what+is+your+spammer+name
Similar Posts:
Kate
Mum, blogger and editor based in the north of England; interests include fog knitting, cat herding and jelly juggling. If you want to get in touch for any reason you can find me on Twitter, LinkedIn or drop me a line via the contact page on my portfolio. Alternatively, you can follow this blog via it's Facebook page, or subscribe to the feed.
Jack Yan
We have the same question for our contract staff.
One answered “Because I am a technical writer and you want one”
I took him on!
Another favourite on application forms, although perhaps not for a retail assistant in a clothing shop, is “Please give and example of how you solved or overcame a problem”
These tend to be notoriously difficult to answer, but I did come up with one once, so if your son is ever faced with that question, point him to this post: Problem Solving
#2 son – welcome to the world of the interview!
And I am Rifleman P. Confiscate
My Spammer Name is: Prototype A. Exhaustive. (What’s your spammer name?)
lol
WBS – well, it just goes to show you can get ahead with a bit of cheek LOL
Kim – yes, I have encountered that question too, it is hard to come up with an answer. Your problem solving example is wonderful, one of those so simple it’s brilliant type things. And yes, I may borrow it should that situation ever arise again
Alternatively, I may use it should I ever find myself putting a tent up in Derbyshire weather again LOL
Beki aka Rifleman P. Confiscate – I think it was a big eye opener for him. He has a job in a pub at the moment but No: 1 Son got that for him, all he had to do was turn up. Fingers crossed he will find out if he has got it on Thursday.
Nixxie – Prototype A. Exhaustive: I’m sure I have been spammed by you in the past LOL
Baseman G. Defuse apparently.
Good luck with his application. Jack applied to Tesco the other week and put ‘ Can lift heavy things’ amongst his skills. I thought a CV with a light-hearted spin might help. Unfortunately, they’d taken on a whole load of staff the week before, or at least that’s what the rejection letter said.
Baseman G. Defuse, that sounds more like a trendy nightclub DJ LOL
Tell Jack he wouldn’t have wanted to work for Tesco. If they don’t appreciate a little humour in an application form then they are a bunch of po-faced wassocks who don’t deserve him.