What's Your Opinion?
sobekneferu
22 Posts
I'm just curious - I'm hiring for a position right now, and in the ad asked that people fill out an application and submit it with a cover letter. 99% of my applicants have mailed me a resume, no cover letter, and haven't even bothered to inquire about an application. And the phone calls! I am always inclined to toss aside resumes from people who can't follow directions and call me constantly (even when I didn't put my number in the ad), but some folks around here think that's harsh (I work in a social service agency - go figure). Feedback please - what's your practice?
Comments
Think about putting in your ad: Resumes will not be accepted.
Good Luck
The way I look at it, if they can't follow simple written instructions, then they would probably make a lousy employee.
It is also a fact that lots of people who see your newspaper ad do not have access to the internet and cannot easily download your application. It is odd for you to have them come to your place, cover letter in hand, and sit and complete an application and attach their letter to it and leave. Your process does seem a bit user-unfriendly. Maybe you can tweak it.
On a related note, when I have redesigned applications, I have always bolded the wording, "DO NOT STATE 'SEE RESUME'". I do not want to have to refer to a resume to see if the info asked for on the app is included which is doubtful. Still people will do it. 'C' stack, for sure.
I sometimes wonder if the importance of resumes is overstated. When an
application says not to write "see resume", the resume itself becomes a moot point. It would be better, in that case - for the ad to say "no resumes
accepted" !
Chari
If they call on the phone (unsolicited) I will not return calls. If I am in I will take the call and answer questions which could not be answered from the ad. If the question could be answered by reading the ad, I suggest they read the ad to find out that particular answer. This usually cuts the calls pretty short.
Good luck!
LFernandes
We are a merit shop contractor, so this is part of our employment practices. Often between the resume and the application there will be descrepencies. So that allows for an easy legal rejection of an applicant that is not a good fit.
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman
(by the way, this person inflated their experience which was quite evident as time went on and they ended up going through the regular disciplinary procedures and was fired anyway, we just had to wait longer than if we had that signed statement).