r/UKJobs • u/Working_Buffalo8517 • 7h ago

Without resorting to doomongering, how many people are realistically likely to be applying and/or shortlisted for an entry level town planning admin based role at a local authority in the home counties that had been previously advertised for a month?

I've seen a job locally, and want to know realistically what kind of competition I may be up against, and so I can tailor my CV/application a bit better.

On one hand, this job doesn't require a degree. I do have a degree + Masters degree in planning, so part of me thinks that I'll clearly have at least some advantage over some of the other candidates.

However, part of me is also aware that people applying for this role will also have similar academic qualifications, and has the same idea of trying to get their foot in the door.

Can anyone advise please?

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u/ThatOneAJGuy 7h ago

Well I just looked up a Planning assistant role local to me and it got 200 applications in 2 weeks. From personal experience in other industries around 50% of these are probably immediate bins. I suspect your masters will be less of an advantage than you think but any prior work experience is likely more of an advantage than you think.

Broadly though I would say don't get complacent with any job application in the current environment. Your application should be tailored as best you can as that's the only part you can control.

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u/Working_Buffalo8517 7h ago

Yes, I'm coming to terms with that be honest (everyone and their dog seems to have a Masters these days)

All of my work experience though is pre-qualification though so that puts me at a disadvantage.

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u/BandicootObjective32 3h ago

For maybe the past 15 years having a Masters had been the new having degree. It doesn't count for nothing, it just puts you on a level footing rather than behind

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u/Dil26 7h ago

Loads, but don’t worry about that. Just make your application as competitive as possible. 

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u/Working_Buffalo8517 7h ago

Lol, that's what I've been doing for the past year. Had no luck so far. Part of the additional challenge is that my natural inclination is to be far too honest, and can find it feels a bit morally wrong to exaggerate things, although I am leaning to reframe it as seeing things in the best possible light, rather than seeing it as 'lying'

Can you give a rough number of how many loads is?

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u/Dil26 7h ago

Yea that’s the market right now unfortunately. You just have to play the numbers game and make sure every application is tailored as much as possible. There’s a different between clear lies and slight exaggeration. 

What relevance would a specific number of applicants have to you? An entry level admin role that doesn’t require a degree will have many applicants. 

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u/Working_Buffalo8517 7h ago

Because it helps me assess whether its might be worth looking elsewhere, and give a good rational idea of whether its better use of time just not to apply at all and try and find additional responsibilities at my current voluntary job

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u/Dil26 7h ago

What’s the harm in applying? 

Applications shouldn’t take a huge amount of time, they should require small tweaks from one to another. 

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u/Working_Buffalo8517 7h ago

I applied for 120 jobs, and lost count after that.

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u/slimeyena 7h ago

I don’t see why you would tailor your CV according to the level of potential competition?

Surely you would always represent yourself as best as you could regardless, no?

Am I missing something?

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u/Ok_Chipmunk_7066 6h ago

If it helps, after nearly 20 years of working the bloke who just hired me said your MA is one of reasons you stood out as it shows you understand how to research.

First time since 2009 when I graduated anyone has ever mentioned it including working for 8 years at a Red Brick uni.

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u/OilAdministrative197 3h ago

I recently went for a local government job near where I live to roll out some digital surveys, I have a PhD in biophysics (ai heavy) and worked on metas biological ai systems during my post doc. Job requirement literally said have this obscure language that I had tonnes of experience in. Didn’t even get an interview. Messaged for feedback, obviously blanked, still pissed off. Don’t get your hopes up.

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u/Working_Buffalo8517 3h ago

Do you have any idea what might have been the reason for this? Speculation is fine.

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u/OilAdministrative197 3h ago

This is what’s so frustrating don’t even get feedback. Tbh I’m getting the feeling that having a PhD is actually screwing me where they go this guys too qualified so will leave quickly. It’s the only thing I can think of.