Sign of the times?: A job search don’t

photo credit: Thorne Enterprises

Some sample Google searches:

“write a resume” – 289,000 results

“resume advice” – 103,000 results

“cover letter advice” – 13,800 results

There are thousands of sites providing advice on how to create an effective resume and cover letter. So much so that I think the topic gets too much focus – after all, your application documents are only STEP ONE. The true opportunities to differentiate yourself come through other avenues – networking, personal brand, and your job search strategy, for instance. But every time I think that the topic is covered, I am reminded of the need to focus on the basics.

A hiring manager passed along the following “cover email” in response to an employment ad placed on Craigslist for an experienced Administrative Assistant for a financial services firm. Unfortunately, this kind of submission is too common. I share it with you in the hopes that if you’ve ever sent an email like this before, you never will again. Let’s look at what the recruiter is thinking as they read.

First, the whole thing:

Good afternoon. I read your add and was really excited to reply back. I am 19 years old with a very flexible schedule. I do not attend college any more and so I am looking for employment right now. Full time is prefered but I want an employment oppurtunity where I am comfortable, feel needed, and am able to perform my job and make the employer happy with my work. I am very dependable, hardworking at whatever I do and will always get the job done. Right now I have a day job that I hate just because their service to customers is not right. They are disrespectful and honestly I do not see how they still have a business. So I am planning to leave them as soon as a find the right job that fits. My availability now is any day after 5pm with the job I am at now. If I were to leave this Job it would be any day any time. I do live in the XXXXXX area and I do drive. Below is my resume. I hope to be considered for the job. I need a change in my career. Thank you so much.

So, here are some of the absolute deal breakers in this email:

1. Lack of business communications skills (spelling, grammar, lack of formatting) – The submitter missed a chance to show that they can create professional letters and emails, a key skill for an Administrative Assistant.
2. Sharing inappropriate information – Her age is not pertinent, and it’s something the employer doesn’t want to know for legal reasons. And the fact that she doesn’t attend college anymore raises the question of why, without providing any valuable information.
3. Negative attitude/lack of discretion about current employer – What will she say about us if/when she leaves?
4. Lack of flexibility – As hard as it may be, the reality is if you’re looking for a job some of the interview process will occur during business hours. By stating up front that you’re only available after 5, the recruiter has to think about how they’ll work it out to interview you, and that may be just enough trouble to get you to the bottom of the pile.
5. Lack of attention to commitments – Most employers would probably prefer to hear that you want to give your current employer 2 weeks notice, than hear that you’re willing to drop them cold to start a new position. Again, how will you make your exit from our company when it’s time to move on?

And these are just the negatives. On top of that, she’s missing one crucial positive:

Nowhere in the email does she give any reason that the recruiter should look at her resume.

The focus is all “I, I, I.” And that would be almost okay if any of the “I” statements had to do with her qualifications for the job. Instead, it’s “I am this” and “I want this” and “I think this.” There is absolutely no mention of her experience (remember, this was for an EXPERIENCED Admin), the industry, the organization, or the job in question. (Speaking of, could you tell me which job you’re applying for, please? We have a few.)

Okay, with that I’ll get off of my soapbox, with the hope that I’ve done my part to eliminate even a single unprofessional resume submission, and that someone, somewhere will take it to heart and therefore have a much better chance of getting a job.

Want more advice on resumes and cover letters? Try the following:

Resume Roundup: 15 Must-Reads for Job Seekers

My resume objective?  Eliminate yours

Writing a Resume Summary Statement: Quantify, quantify, quantify

Related posts:

1. Resume roundup: 15 must-reads for job seekers
2. Your job application: How to avoid the circular file
3. How long is your resume? Who cares?
4. Your resume summary statement: Get attention fast
5. My resume objective? Eliminate yours.

Tagged as: Career, cover letter, email, gen y, job change, job hunt, job search, resume