Hiring managers desk

[Woody27]

Hi all, I have applied for a pway operative post, and have once again got onto the hiring managers desk, how many applications do they normally get to see? to then decide who they would like to interview?

 

[C J Snarzell]

This question is like asking 'how long is a piece of string?'

It would entirely depend on the company and the role they are recruiting for.

In most cases Human Resources or Recruitment Teams will whittle the number of applicants down during the initial paper sift. If there are online tests involved, this will of course determine who gets through to the next stage.

HR will then forward the applications that pass the first sift/online tests to the Hiring Manager who will do their own sift and select a number of candidates for interview.

Hiring Managers are basically a senior member of staff who will be responsible for the successful candidate. For example if you apply for a Revenue Protection Officer role - the Hiring Manager would be the Revenue Protection Manager or Head of Revenue Protection.

What you have got to appreciate is that Hiring Managers have their 'day-to-day' responsibilities/duties to content with, so sifting through multiple applications and selecting people for interview isn't necessarily at the top of their priority list. This sometimes explains why the recruitment and selection process is not a quick turn around.

However, in other cases Hiring Managers are more 'hands on' with the recruitment process and can even sift all the applications.

Its very much a waiting game which can go on for weeks or months without an update.

CJ

 

[DarloRich]

Hi all, I have applied for a pway operative post, and have once again got onto the hiring managers desk, how many applications do they normally get to see? to then decide who they would like to interview?

Answer: think of a big number. Double it. Add some more. It will take as long as it takes to filter them. Longer if the hiring manager is on shifts. Then everything has to filter through the system and get back to you. it is maddening on both sides sometimes!

 

[Woody27]

Thanks CJ, appreciate your reply, I’ve been on the desk before! And know it takes awhile, Just curious as to the numbers !!!

 

[Ducatist4]

For signalling roles HR get it down to six candidates then send it on to the hiring manager (the LOM). He/she can ask to see others though if they don’t fancy any of the top six.

 

[Peterperfect]

For all roles they can interview between 3 and 6.

 

[Woody27]

So, after meeting all required criteria in my application, that the vacancy asked for, I have received the dreaded email, saying I did not meet the required criteria!! Gutted

 

[Peterperfect]

So, after meeting all required criteria in my application, that the vacancy asked for, I have received the dreaded email, saying I did not meet the required criteria!! Gutted

Do Pway have to do any tests before getting an interview or is it simply application and cv?

It could be the ones interviewed had competencies that you don't. Chin up mate and try try again.

 

[Woody27]

Do Pway have to do any tests before getting an interview or is it simply application and cv?

It could be the ones interviewed had competencies that you don't. Chin up mate and try try again.

Hi mate, it’s just application and cv, just don’t understand how you make the hiring managers desk, and then are told you don’t meet the required criteria! Still, waiting for the next opportunity

 

[Ducatist4]

Did you include a covering letter?

 

[Woody27]

Did you include a covering letter?

Hi Rockhopper, no, I didn’t include a covering letter! But the application form has changed, it now includes 3 questions where you basically get the opportunity to say everything you might have on a covering letter, that said, I’m gonna include one next time, not sure what else I can do.

 

[Ducatist4]

So basically you'll have scored well in the tests etc but the hiring manger didn't want to see you. So you've got to make your application stand out enough to make him interested enough to pick you above the others.

 

[Peterperfect]

Hi Rockhopper, no, I didn’t include a covering letter! But the application form has changed, it now includes 3 questions where you basically get the opportunity to say everything you might have on a covering letter, that said, I’m gonna include one next time, not sure what else I can do.

Thats where you go. Put in a covering letter. Make your CV stand out instead of blending with the rest.

 

[Woody27]

Thanks guys, appreciate it!

 

[C J Snarzell]

Woody27

I wouldn't too downhearted about the rejection. You might find you'll experience this a few times before you secure an interview. Then again you might nail it with your next application!!!!

If you managed to reach the Hiring Managers desk after the initial paper sift, that shows you are heading in the right direction which is something positive to reflect on.

By all means do a cover letter but don't get carried away that this will guarantee an interview next time round. Its fair to say, the volume of applicants for railway roles is immense and Hiring Managers do have to make some extremely difficult decisions when whittling down the candidates who will be invited to an interview.

Good luck though.

CJ

 

[Ducatist4]

They don’t because its HR who do that. HR get it down to six or so then the hiring manager picks the ones he wants to interview. He can interview all six, or only three. Make your application interesting and he’ll want to see you.
HR look at test results and check that you meet all the essential criteria.

 

[Woody27]

This is exactly my confusion, HR have decided that I do indeed meet the required criteria, but the email I received, from the Hiring Manager was to tell me, I didn’t meet the required criteria, if it was “a more suitable candidate was identified” which is what I’ve received before, not a nice email to receive, but something that I can understand, on to the next one.

 

[Ducatist4]

It’s just one possible reason they select from a drop down list. Don’t read too much into it. Just look at how the careers portal works, the whole system is fairly shambolic.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Woody27

From the various job rejections I have had in my time - HR's and Hiring Managers seem to use the same words and phrases in their correspondence to unsuccessful candidates.

''Unfortunately, there are other candidates who match the role more closely''

Thats always a favourite - I think all these recruitment teams & Hiring Managers use the same HR guide book when sending out generic e-mails!!!! As Rockhopper has said, don't read too much into it.

CJ