I am going for another job. I am not going to say exactly what it is but I would love to get it. I have put one of the questions and some of my response to the question below. I make a little joke in it. Can you guys see the joke? Is it funny? (Me and Jem laughed a lot). Do you think it might help me stand out if I’m just a wee bit funny or is it a no thing to try and be funny in a job application? The job will require me to run workshops with young people. Isn’t it good to be a little bit funny when you do that? Anyway see below. If anyone has some really clear advice would be good.
Are you able to liaise and negotiate with a wide range of people effectively and sensitively?
In regards to negotiating sensitively there have been many examples at Rough Edges where I have been conscious of needing to tread very sensitively. I have been involved with the Rough Edges Community Café over a span of ten years and in the last two years I have been a team leader. The centre opens its doors to members of the Kings Cross street community who live with a variety of complex needs ranging from homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction. I have been required to deal with violent and many potentially violent situations with a non-violent communication approach. I have both attended and taught non-violent communication workshops.
However, at the extreme end of the spectrum, I work in close relationship with our Minister, the assistant minister and the counsellors at Rough Edges and when we have ideas and visions we are required to negotiate and liaise with the Parish Council and the Board.
I wouldn’t. The person who reads your application may not have a sense of humour, and/or could read this as patronising the clients of Roughies. Give examples of when you have had to “liaise and negotiate” with the church administration (e.g. discussing funding and plans for Rough Edges with Parish Council and the Board who may have a different vision.), especially if it is an example that matches the requirements of the position. What was your role, what happened, what was the outcome?
It took me a while to find the joke so it’s probably alright.
Job interviews are the best place for jokes if you ask me.
However if you make jokes in your application and they like it then they’re the kind of people you want to work for.