13th July 2010, 08:19 AM
Speaking from a unit that has recently advertised site assistant posts on BAJR, the biggest factor for us is the sheer volume of applicants and each time we advertise it seems to get worse. Sometimes you are looking at 30-40 applicants pre job, on a site where 5 or 6 people are required. At least three quarters of these applicants will have the relevent qualifications and experience, so if decisions appear arbitary it is because sometimes they have to be.
One thing I note when wading through CVs, is how many could be edited for succinctness. Education and employment history could often be drastically cut down to what is relevent and supplemented with a summary of site skills etc. Don't just give facts, sell yourself. I don't think age is an overiding factor and we try to balance experienced hands with graduates. But at the moment the sheer number of trained and experienced archaeologists available for work is staggering.
One thing I note when wading through CVs, is how many could be edited for succinctness. Education and employment history could often be drastically cut down to what is relevent and supplemented with a summary of site skills etc. Don't just give facts, sell yourself. I don't think age is an overiding factor and we try to balance experienced hands with graduates. But at the moment the sheer number of trained and experienced archaeologists available for work is staggering.