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Below are some of the most common questions we get asked by candidates regarding the application process. If you have a question that hasn't been answered here, please contact us.
Application questions
'Will my details be kept on file?'
Yes, your details will be kept on file for current and future roles. For more information on how we process your personal data, please view our privacy policy.
'I believe I have all the relevant skills for the role, so why was my application rejected?'
Due to the high volume of applications we are currently receiving for each role, we regretfully do not have the capacity to be able to give individual feedback for each application.
However, some of the most common reasons applications get rejected are:
● Lack of experience in Professional Services.
Unlike some other agencies, we operate within a very niche sector. This means that the employers we work with have very specific requirements which any candidates we put forward to them need to meet.
For many of our roles, employers specifically ask for recent experience within a Professional Services firm.
● Your skills and experience don’t match the criteria of the role .
Whilst we understand this can be frustrating, please bear in mind that we can only put forward the candidates that most closely match the criteria of the clients we work with.
'I don’t have Professional Services experience, but I do have the skills required for the role, so can’t I still be put forward? '
We understand how frustrating this can be, but as we are such a specialist agency, our clients come to us because they are specifically looking for candidates with Professional Services experience, and this is what we have agreed to provide for them.
It is very rare that a client will agree to look at a CV from outside this sector.
There are many other recruitment agencies who work with a wide range of industries who will be better placed to assist you, if your experience is outside of the legal, practice, property or wider professional services sector.
We are very niche and very specialist so, regretfully, we can only work with candidates who have this experience in Professional Services.
'I have Professional Services experience, so why wasn’t I put forward for the role? '
It is worth bearing in mind that it is common for us to receive hundreds of applications for each role, and the clients we work for ask to see the top 2 or 3 candidates that match their requirements the most closely.
This means that if there are a high number of suitable applicants, there might have been someone that was a bit more closely suited to the client’s specific requirements.
We get new roles on all the time so would encourage you to register for job alerts and to keep applying for any other roles that come up that you might be suited to.
'Do you use automation software to process CVs? '
No, every single application we receive is reviewed by a (human) consultant.
However, we do send out automated emails to let unsuccessful applicants know that they have not been shortlisted.
We appreciate that this isn’t ideal, but we do this because we receive hundreds of applications on a daily basis and simply do not have the capacity to respond personally to every single application we receive.
Feedback from our candidates has told us that most people would prefer to know whether or not they have been successful, even if this means getting an automated message.
'I received a rejection email very soon after I applied for the role - did you even look at my CV?'
Yes, every CV is reviewed by a specialist consultant. For urgent roles, the consultant may receive an email alert as soon as someone applies.
The consultant reviews the application against the brief given to them by the client. Often, it is clear pretty quickly whether or not a candidate will be suitable for that particular role, which is why you might receive a response very quickly.
'I applied for a role and still haven’t heard back?'
We apologise for this - you should have heard back from us within a week of making your application. Sometimes it can take us a bit longer, especially if there have been a particularly large number of applications.
If more than 7 days has passed since you made your application and you would like to follow up, please email info@ambition.co.uk
Let us know your full name, the job title and reference number of the role you applied for, and we will get back to you.
'I have applied for a number of roles through your agency and keep getting rejection emails - why?'
Nobody likes to receive a rejection email. However, candidates have repeatedly told us that they would rather know where they are in the application process, even if this means receiving a rejection, than not to hear back from us at all.
For this reason, you may receive a large number of rejection emails if you have applied for multiple roles.
We understand this can be frustrating. However, it is worth bearing in mind that:
We are only able to work with candidates who have recent experience in Professional Services
We can only put forward a few CVs for each role out of what is usually a large number of applications.
'I have been shortlisted for a role but haven’t heard back from the consultant?'
We apologise for this, as the consultant should have got back to you. Please feel free to chase the consultant directly or alternatively call 020 7404 4004 or email info@ambition.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Can I submit an expression of interest for a position not currently advertised?
Yes, you can upload your CV by registering your details on our website. Alternatively you can email use directly at info@ambition.co.uk. Your details will be added to our database and you will be contacted if there is a relevant position that matches your skills and experience.
Once I have submitted an application, how long will it be before someone contacts me?
Depending on the recruitment process, the role and the number of applications, the time it takes to get back to you may vary. However we are committed to advising all unsuccessful candidates as soon as we are able to.
Can I receive feedback if my application is unsuccessful?
Yes, the recruitment consultant working on the particular role will be happy to provide feedback if requested.
Website questions
Why should I register online with Ambition?
Online registration takes under a minute and lets you set up personalised job searches and job alerts. You tell us about the jobs you’re interested in and we will email you with the latest jobs within your area of expertise and preferred locations. You can set up an account here.
I tried to create an account, but I got an error message saying the email address I was using had already been registered.
This email address is already in use. Try logging in again making sure you are using the correct email and password, or try creating a new account using a different email address.
I created an account on the website and now want to delete it, how can I do this?
Email info@ambition.co.uk giving your name and email address you used to create the account and we will delete the account for you.
If you have any other questions or feedback, please contact us: