Applications: What Not To Do

(Naomi’s note: This is a post from my lovely husband Jamie until we can learn how to add multiple authors in WP).

The other day, Naomi and I were discussing the application process we all go through when applying for jobs or gigs. She’s done her share of hiring, and I did some hiring in a previous life working for a telecommunications company here in Canada.

While I’d applied for my share of jobs (I’ve worked at 16 jobs, at last count) this was the first time I had ever seen the process from the other side of the desk.

We thought that maybe it would be a good idea for a post to talk a little about what it is like on the other side of the application and maybe a few pointers about what to avoid.

1. Proofread. We’ve all done it. We’ve all sent those e-mails that after clicking send we wished we could grab those e-mails back. (For your reading pleasure, try this one on for size.) However, it never fails to surprise me what some people will send you.

An example – one application I received began with the salutation:

“Hello my Jen.”

I have to assume that she meant “Hello, my name is Jen” (the appropriateness of such a salutation is an entirely different topic), but I don’t want to have to assume when I am reading an application. To be honest, I won’t assume. If you can’t tell me what you want to say in a clear manner, I’m not going to help you out here. I mean, this wasn’t a typo – she completely missed two entire words (assuming that this is what she meant to say).

2. Take the application process seriously. Keep in mind that the person reviewing your application assumes (there’s that word again) that you have worked hard on this and that this is your best effort. When submitting an application, don’t just cut and paste snippets of the original job posting with point form notes. If you can’t be bothered to use full sentences, I can’t be bothered to read your application.

Along the taking it seriously lines, if you are e-mailing your application, please consider your e-mail address. I don’t care how good the application may be – if I receive an e-mail from hotandsexy@hotmail.com, it is going to be deleted. Unless there is a picture attached. (Naomi adds: There are two acceptable options when it comes to your email address – a version of your name, by which I mean the one on your driver’s license, and a version of your company name or home business. That. Is. It.)

3. Make it easy. One way you can make the reviewer’s job easier is to ensure the information in your application is verifiable. If you mention in your application that you recently published an article in TIME magazine, include the issue and name of article so I can check it out. Better yet, include a link to the article. If you don’t, I’m going to assume you are lying. OK, when I said earlier that I won’t assume, I guess what I meant is that you do not want me to assume. If I assume, it is never in your favour.

In hiring for copywriters recently, we had no less than three applicants tell us they’d written one (or more!) “award winning novels.” You’ve won awards? Tell me which ones, and name the books. I wanted to write them back and tell them that, as award winning novelists, they probably wouldn’t be interested in what we’re paying.

4. Follow Instructions. This is another way to make it easy. If the job posting asks for references, provide references. If the application does not ask you to provide clips, do not send the clips. (Naomi adds: The one exception here is providing links at the bottom of the email. If they’re at the bottom and I don’t want to see them, I don’t have to.) Mention that you would be willing to send them – fine. But don’t send them yet. If you do, I assume that you do not know how to follow instructions, or that you are not willing to follow instruction (I’m not sure which is worse).

That’s about it really. Hopefully this helps, but really it was a way for me to vent while at the same time appearing to be helpful. Good luck in your job search.

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By Naomi Dunford