correct use of words in job applications;
 

Boyshape and I had a heated discussion over whether or not it is correct to use the term 'qualifications' to describe overall attributes and not just 'educational achievements/awards' in job applications.

I feel that my experience in such industry for +5 yrs lends itself to now being allowed to sit in a collective of qualifications (as I feel the term describes attributes as well as awards) and it is thus okay to write this in my cover letter. Boyship insists that I cannot write that, because it is not a 'qualification'.

What is the general consensus on this?

I'm not asking if it makes me 'suitable' for the job, Im asking if it is okay to describe it as such..

If you were writing a cover letter, and you felt you had industry experience, would you consider it part of your qualifications for the job requirements?


I just want to know if I'm being a total girl about this. Because I really think I am correct..

make as many blunt sexual advances as possible when writing your resume

oh but I'm not asking how to say it.. ( I guess Im not writing very clearly at all)

I'm asking.. if the word 'qualifications' is allowed to be used to cover BOTH of the following items on a resume;

education
relevent on the job experience and skills

and not JUST 'education'

?


haha.. thank you for being so patient :P

haha.

no really I need a job now. :( If I didn't just file my tax return, I'd be eating dirt next week.

Qualification: A quality, ability, or accomplishment that makes a person suitable for a particular position or task.

Five year experience sounds like a qualification to me.

This Boyshape/ship guy sounds a bit out of touch if he seriously thinks qualifications are only academic.

"stuff that will make me sound more appealing"

Ah, context. Dear, dear context.

I've worked in IT for nearly 3 years now. What I'm formally qualified for and what my CV says I'm qualified for are two different things. I'm 'qualified' to work in IT because it's what I've been doing. If, however, I'd been working as a surgical nurse for 20 years that wouldn't mean I was qualified to perform surgery.

Something that always hacks me off about the world of work is that if you have done something, that qualifies you to continue doing it, regardless of the quality of the thing you have been doing. I work with some people who are paid in the region of twice what I am who are in genuinely incapable of doing large sections of their job (which more irritating because I can do them).

Which is to say that the purpose of the CV is to sell yourself. It's up to you to decide whether 'qualifiied' or 'experienced' is the more persuasive adjective.