Firm gets 342 applications for one job

MORE than 340 people applied for just one job at a Colchester company.

Bunting and Sons advertised for a receptionist to cover maternity leave but in just ten days, the company received 342 applications.

Kate Bunting, partner at Bunting and Sons, said: “We think it is a sign of the economic climate.

“We have never seen anything like it, it is staggering.”

She added: “Usually, we expect about 60 applications, so this is a massive increase.

“From an employer’s point of view, it means you have to scrutinise the applicants you get a lot more than you would have to usually.”

The company interviewed ten people, after sifting through the CVs.

Comments(11)

Ritchie_Hicks says...
9:17am Thu 31 Jan 13

“From an employer’s point of view, it means you have to scrutinise the applicants you get a lot more than you would have to usually.”

What a terrible situation to find yourself in.........

Say It As It Is OK? says...
9:53am Thu 31 Jan 13

Not receiving, at least a reply, to your job application must be soul destroying so lets hope Kate Bunting acts as a responsible employer (so many don't these days) and she replies to everyone who made the effort to apply for the job.

rhetoric says...
11:01am Thu 31 Jan 13

I don't think this is a big surprise. Many, many firms must have this situation in the current jobs climate.
.
Just another bit of publicity for the Buntings?
.
What is it they used to say? "No publicity is bad publicity", or, "The only bad publicity is no publicity".
.
Is it part of Buntings' ploy to be seen as desirable employers and so possibly responsible developers?

Justice79 says...
11:27am Thu 31 Jan 13

I'd take it all with a pinch of salt the Buntings and accurate figures aren't two things that go hand in hand.

wardyt says...
1:13pm Thu 31 Jan 13

Am I correct in thinking these are the people responsible for the Stour Valley Visitor Centre at Horkesley Park !?

This is all to do with their planning application and the fact that it will create jobs.

Call me a cynic!

DoodleJoeyBug says...
1:37pm Thu 31 Jan 13

I applied for a job with this firm many years ago. I never heard a word from them, not even a 'thanks for applying etc',- I thought it was general business etiquette to acknowledge all applicants.

wellnow says...
2:05pm Thu 31 Jan 13

So much for that donkey cameron banging on about employment figures.

Red Tape 2 says...
4:50pm Thu 31 Jan 13

wellnow wrote:
So much for that donkey cameron banging on about employment figures.
Exactly! The official government figures and what is actually going on in the real world seem to be two totally different things.

wardyt says...
4:54pm Thu 31 Jan 13

Red Tape 2 wrote:
wellnow wrote: So much for that donkey cameron banging on about employment figures.
Exactly! The official government figures and what is actually going on in the real world seem to be two totally different things.
So you are happy to take Buntings figures over Official Government figures!

Ritchie_Hicks says...
7:29pm Thu 31 Jan 13

wardyt wrote:
Red Tape 2 wrote:
wellnow wrote: So much for that donkey cameron banging on about employment figures.
Exactly! The official government figures and what is actually going on in the real world seem to be two totally different things.
So you are happy to take Buntings figures over Official Government figures!
I would. The 2.5million unemployed figure is already manipulated and doesn't include the self employed people barely scraping a living.

jut1972 says...
8:08pm Thu 31 Jan 13

I remember a recruitment agent telling me there were 400 applicants on average per job. Its not that unusual but must depend on the industry I guess.

For all those who expect feedback on why they didnt get a response, thats wishful thinking. For many people they wont even read the CV. If you spot typos, no covering letter, or its obvious no effort has been put in, why would an employer bother to tell you that?

Have also heard tales of only reading every other application to save time. If you get 342 you know if you read through half of them you'll find someone good. Its hard bloody work looking for a job!

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