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Topic: Now I sympathize with hiring managers!
| Author | Message |
| Lotus665 | Posted – 10/26/2007 1:08:30 PM | show profile People on this board often post about how hard it is to get a job, and how they never hear from a company after an interview. I've been very sympathetic, having shared their frustrations in the past. But recently I myself posted an ad for a very part-time, freelance position (as my assistant), and I've been absolutely deluged with resumes that make me sympathetic to the human resources folks. I'm an editor/writer seeking someone who lives locally and has clerical skills and a mastery of our language. Well, I've been getting resumes from people all over the country, whose cover emails contain gross grammar, spelling, and other errors, who are unbelievably overqualified for this little gig, whose background is way different from what I requested, who are clearly seeking a full-time job or a writing job (which my ad clearly stated this isn't), and/or who don't follow any of the requested application procedures! I could go on. I will never have time even to read most of these applications, much less acknowledge them. Fortunately, there were a few gems in there and I know I'll find someone good -- it just seems like people will apply to any job just to get SOMETHING, even if it is not a match. So I would suggest, especially to beginners, all the things that MB articles say you should do. They seem obvious, such as to proofread your application several times, and to apply only to positions that really are a good match. But they need to be repeated because they're not followed. As for hearing from the advertiser, you probably won't--because unless you are a great match, they just don't have time to respond to hundreds of applicants. Rant finished. |
| catlondon | Posted – 10/26/2007 1:15:05 PM | show profile Interestingly enough, a small-business owner I know (about 15 people employed) has stopped accepting e-mailed resumes for jobs. Only fax and snail mail. The drop off in response has been amazing and the quality of what comes through has gone up--for the most part only those truly interested in the job will go through the inconvenience of faxing or sending materials. |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 10/26/2007 2:42:23 PM | show profile Interesting experience...I found my assistants through personal contacts (a private school teacher found me a student; former J-school students, and some from this board.) You're brave to try the other approach but I am not surprised you've been deluged as I've heard this from many hiring managers. |
| TeuscherTruffe | Posted – 10/26/2007 10:33:54 PM | show profile | email poster I'm going through this now. I recently posted a position for a web content person, and I've been deluged with inappropriate replies from IT companies, offshore designers, and morons who can't write, spell, or customize a letter. I think it's the last one that's blowing me away. When I looked for work, I wrote letters that emphasized the things I could do for the potential employer. These people are all about what I can do for them! I'll give them experience, further their career, blah blah blah. Yes, a few gems are amidst the bunch, but as an employer, it's depressing and overwhelming to sort through the stacks. |
