u/throwawaysob1

▲ 23 r/ausjobs

They'll get the candidates they deserve

I've been applying seriously for about 3 months now in Melbourne, mainly for STEM research/research services positions and have had some "interesting" experiences.

I saw an advert at an institute where the attached position description didn't match the position, so I wasn't able to prepare my response to the selection criteria. I thought it was probably a mistake and will get updated soon with the correct PD and I'll send in my application. A couple of weeks passed and it was the same PD. I emailed the hiring manager (a professor) expressing my interest in the position, noting that the attached PD didn't seem to match the advert and I'd prepare my response to the KSC if they can share the PD. I also asked a couple of other questions about the project.
The next day, the correct PD gets uploaded to the advertisement - no reply to my email. For weeks, I don't know what applications they would have been getting.

More recently, at another institute, the same issue: incorrect PD attached. Not just that, but after I emailed the listed contact, the next day the listed contact changes to someone else! I received no reply to the one I emailed.

I'm applying for positions where I meet every essential criteria (and usually the preferred/desired ones). I'm tailoring my applications. I'm not using AI for any of this. I'm responding to the KSC carefully (I've had these looked over by career consultants who've told me they are very well written). I'm taking the initiative to request for the correct PD's so that I can actually do that - I don't even get a reply for that!

Honestly, I'm at the point where I think employers just want to hire a shit candidate.

reddit.com
u/throwawaysob1 — 21 hours ago

Response to Key Selection Criteria

I recently completed my PhD and also have industry experience in software engineering, including at a uni. I'm now applying to both research roles (postdoc, research associate/fellow, etc) and research support roles (e.g. research engineer, e-Research roles, etc). So far, nothing's worked out.

I was wondering if anyone knows how thoroughly hiring committees read responses to Key Selection Criteria? I'm worried mine are a bit detailed and long - some go to 3 pages long. Is that generally considered acceptable?

reddit.com
u/throwawaysob1 — 8 days ago