From: douglash@meaddata.com (Douglas Holzworth)
Newsgroups: misc.jobs.misc
Subject: Re: Inappropriate responses to job posting
Date: 29 Dec 1992 22:13:12 GMT
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: valley.meaddata.com

In article <C01423.Bs9@world.std.com>, mgw@world.std.com (maryanne g wolf) writes:
|> In article <1992Dec29.041740.10191@netcom.com> marquis@netcom.com (Roger Marquis) writes:
|> >> mgw@world.std.com (maryanne g wolf) writes:
|> >>I am job-hunting, and I have also screened resumes.
|> >>I understand that it is annoying to get resumes you are not interested in.
|> >>I'd like the people who don't want inappropriate resumes
|> >>to propose an alternative.  I'm not convinced that there is one.
|> >>
|> 
     [Lines deleted]


|> Please don't misunderstand.  I *am* concerned.  I have been at the
|> receiving end of resumes too.  It is bothersome.  That is why I asked
|> for alternatives.  
|> 

Mary Anne,

     It may help to define "inappropriate resume" here.  What I view as a
     waste of time is a solicitation that isn't even in the ballpark (e.g.,
     a recent grad or career-change hopeful for a senior position).  IF the
     original post was clear in its requirements, then people who are clearly
     shy of those requirements are wasting everyone's time.  People who
     are in the ballpark are not a waste of time.  I've had resumes come
     to me for technical writer positions from people in the fast food
     industry (no additional training or preparation, just a desire to
     change careers).  I've had resumes for graphic artist positions from
     clerks (hey, I can draw!).  These people may have a burning need to
     find a job (or a new job), but that doesn't mean they spent their time
     well applying for the ones I posted.

     The sample cover letters you posted were perfect examples of what a
     candidate **should** provide, if they perceive themselves as meeting (or
     even coming close to) the stated requirements.

     Rather than just bitch about the situation, let me throw out some things
     I think might be helpful:

     * Employers: BE SPECIFIC about requirements.  Vague/ambiguous statements
       will have too many unqualified people responding.  YOU are wasting the
       time here.

     * Employers: DETERMINE what is really a REQUIREMENT for the job and what
       is DESIREABLE.  This makes the post reasonable and you won't weed out
       potential candidates by being too picky.  This also clarifies what
       the "must have" requirements are.  I got some excellent people because
       I realized some positions did NOT require huge amounts of experience 
       after all!

     * Candidates: Carefully evaluate the posting.  Identify the requirements.
       Honestly determine if you fit/are close.  We know you want a job, but
       you're not going to get one by applying for something you can't do.

       -- Stretch: If you think you meet enough of the requirements to grow
	  into the job (i.e., you are CLOSE), be up front in your cover letter.
	  This impresses me when I evaluate resumes; I may not pick them
	  for THIS job, but I'll have them in mind when a closer match comes up.
	  Allows me to prioritize attention (and let's face it, if someone
	  is a closer match, do you think they won't get the job anyway?).

      -- Interesting, but you don't meet reqs: Don't apply.  Spend a little
	 time looking into how you can make yourself a stronger candidate.
	 I've had people contact me to talk about what skills/experience
	 they'd need to acquire to get a certain position -- I am impressed
	 by their initiative and remember them when they come around again.

     * Candidates: Searching for a job is stressful.  But take a step back.
       Don't let the immediacy of the situation blind you.  You have two
       goals: obtain an appropriate job, make a good impression in case you
       are looking for a job in the future.

-- Doug Holzworth

Newsgroups: misc.jobs.misc