For the last couple of weeks we have been in the process of hiring a new program coordinator, I got the lucky job of screening all 67 applicants and recommending a handful of them for interview. In that light, this is all about what NOT to do when submitting an application for employment.
- When listing your “Special Skills” for a job that is NOT based on social media, please do not list ALL of the following: WordPress, Blogspot, Twitter, Pinterest, Etsy, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, MySpace. Saying “social media” would probably suffice. Now that I know you are specially skilled in MySpace and Pinterest, um, you probably won’t be hired for a position where you cannot spend hours per day on either of those (blocked) sites.
- It should go without saying that correct spelling and grammar are essential in resumes and cover letters. When you misspell a major company’s name, or our company’s name, you are showing you probably cannot be trusted for basic communications.
- When the only phone number you provide is your current work number and work email, do not get upset that I call you at work. In fact, the half-whispered half-angry “Why did you call this number?! I can’t talk about this right now!” does not make me feel great about you as a potential candidate.
- Most employers will not give you negative marks if you have served time as a missionary for a religious organization. In fact, many find that kind of humanitarian service commendable. However, do not list it in your employment history with a giant paragraph of responsibilities and under the salary portion state “blessing in heaven.”
- For the love, when you come to interview, please do not bring your pet chihuahua in a blinged out hot pink carrying case. Just don’t.
Did you learn anything spectacular this week? (Or last week?)
1. The missionary bit was encouraging, as I always wonder if I should mention it. (NOT the salary part! ;))
2. SOMEONE BROUGHT A NON-SERVICE DOG????!!!!!
3. I am in the process of applying for jobs, so all of this was very relevant/humorous.
1. Yes, mention a missionary experience. It helps account for a large gap in schooling or employment history, and most employers see it as a beneficial addition to your life experience. BUT DON’T MAKE IT OUT TO BE SOMETHING IT’S NOT!
2. I didn’t see anything about a service dog on the bag, which normally they do. It COULD have been, I guess (are chihuahua’s service dogs?) but if so it was definitely not clear, or mentioned when I scheduled the interview.
3. Check out this link, I saw it today and thought it had a lot of good info: http://lifehacker.com/tips-from-a-recruiter-dont-make-me-read-your-resume-1520083351
xox
Oh my goodness NUMBER THREE! And four! And five!
My lands.
Right!? I just….wow. W.O.W.
xox
I thought the salary/blessings in heaven thing was bad, but the dog? Wow.
Right!? I just…I died. And I tried SO HARD not to say anything about it. BUT OH MY HELL WHO DOES THAT?!?
xox
Great, Harriet. Now I need to completely redo my resume. And find a dog sitter. Maybe even in that order.
SorryNotSorry…? 🙂
xox
And, you’re welcome. Ha!
xox
So, I’ve got something to add from my personal experience… stupidly, I was the one who did something that should not be done.
Don’t apply for a job without finding out what the company does. 🙂
I quickly adapted a cover letter and whooooosh, the email was gone – I knew I was applying to help edit a New Zealand magazine…. unfortunately I had never seen the magazine in question and had no idea what it was about! Literally five minutes later I got the call – and had to admit I had no idea what I was talking about.
BAD LOOK!!!! I advise against it!!
We’ve got a few of those, but in my head it’s more forgivable somehow? I dunno. I get that people copy-paste often for cover letters, and sometimes they apply for something they absolutely don’t fit into or really get, and while I may roll my eyes at their lack of research, my eyes don’t bug out of my head because they listed “blessings in heaven” as their compensation. 😉
xox
Ahhhhh hahahaha. So awesome. Blessing in Heaven. Haaaaaa.
Right?!?! I mean, COME ON!
xox