Started Hiring and amazed at some of the responses

chapelgrovefilms said:
To each his own. But by not even looking at the guy's work, you may be missing out on the best possible person for your job.

As for me, I'll take the time and make the effort.
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Most impressive looking portfolio and best possible person for the job aren't necessarily the same thing though. Jeff George had a huge arm and lots of natural talent at the QB position, but that couldn't save him from being an bomb in the NFL due to his deficiencies in non-throwing the ball related aspects of his position.

When I've had to hire people I wasn't a spelling nazi or anything because everyone makes mistakes (and spelling & grammar is a weak point for me), but if it looks like they put little effort into applying for the position then I'd put an equal amount of effort into considering them for the position. When there are literally 100-200 resumés stacked on my desk and I have to sort through them as well as do my day-to-day duties I don't have time to give every crappy looking applicant the benefit of the doubt in hopes that they are actually an idiot savant. If there were only a handful of applicants it might be a different story, but when it's an internet job posting and everyone and their brother is applying... ugh...

chapelgrovefilms said:
And by the way, just because someone can't spell or write well, or even read well -- that doesn't mean they can't communicate clearly or follow instructions. They may just do better with visual or spoken communications, rather than written.
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While I agree that different people excel at different types of communication the very simple things the OP was asking for shouldn't be difficult for anyone. It's not like he asked the applicants to put together a some-assembly-required desk using instructions poorly translated from Chinese. :laugh:


-A
 
adkimery said:
Most impressive looking portfolio and best possible person for the job aren't necessarily the same thing though. Jeff George had a huge arm and lots of natural talent at the QB position, but that couldn't save him from being an bomb in the NFL due to his deficiencies in non-throwing the ball related aspects of his position.

When I've had to hire people I wasn't a spelling nazi or anything because everyone makes mistakes (and spelling & grammar is a weak point for me), but if it looks like they put little effort into applying for the position then I'd put an equal amount of effort into considering them for the position. When there are literally 100-200 resumés stacked on my desk and I have to sort through them as well as do my day-to-day duties I don't have time to give every crappy looking applicant the benefit of the doubt in hopes that they are actually an idiot savant. If there were only a handful of applicants it might be a different story, but when it's an internet job posting and everyone and their brother is applying... ugh...


While I agree that different people excel at different types of communication the very simple things the OP was asking for shouldn't be difficult for anyone. It's not like he asked the applicants to put together a some-assembly-required desk using instructions poorly translated from Chinese. :laugh:


-A
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As I said, to each his own. As for me and my house, we will judge people based on the quality of their work, not the quality of their email. :)
 
I would probably have my doubts about the poster, but would definitely check his link and his work. If it was better then the other applicants (significantly), I would call him and try to know the man behind the writting.

But he would be in a disadvantage since he created a first bad impression...
 
This is just sad, nowadays most applications are web based.

I think you should employ a tighter process,

(1) ask them to download and fill out an applciation form (eg .doc or PDF)
(2) Get them to zip their portfolia with the appplication form
(3) If you want to push even further set up a mini "exam", where you ask them to paint/draw/ some thing you would typically be hiring them for.

They can put details of links and what not in the application form. This process should be explained, it makes the applicants aware of the effort needed.

Anhar,

(the above was based on an application I made for a media company)
 
Anhar Miah said:
This is just sad, nowadays most applications are web based.

I think you should employ a tighter process,

(1) ask them to download and fill out an applciation form (eg .doc or PDF)
(2) Get them to zip their portfolia with the appplication form
(3) If you want to push even further set up a mini "exam", where you ask them to paint/draw/ some thing you would typically be hiring them for.

They can put details of links and what not in the application form. This process should be explained, it makes the applicants aware of the effort needed.

Anhar,

(the above was based on an application I made for a media company)
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So a great creature creator need not apply if he can't fathom the mechanics of .PDF files and WinZip? Might miss some really excellent talent that way.

I try to make things as easy as possible. I expect people to know their jobs, not mine.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
So a great creature creator need not apply if he can't fathom the mechanics of .PDF files and WinZip? Might miss some really excellent talent that way.

I try to make things as easy as possible. I expect people to know their jobs, not mine.
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While that may be true, unzipping and open up PDFs are very basic computer skills, and if the advert was web based, it begs the question that if the person can't open up zip files and PDF what chance has he/she got in sending an email?
 
Anhar Miah said:
While that may be true, unzipping and open up PDFs are very basic computer skills, and if the advert was web based, it begs the question that if the person can't open up zip files and PDF what chance has he/she got in sending an email?
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The person wrote his email in ALL CAPS. Does that sound like someone who is likely to know about PDF's and zips?

I'm just saying, don't judge a book by its cover.
 
BTW, a quick scan of the messages in this thread indicates that roughly 25% of them have spelling, punctuation or grammar errors. (That doesn't include the ones that were clearly intentional.)

Guess many of us should heed our own words, eh? :)
 
:D

I think its about context, we all can put the effort when its required.

And I feel in any job application some thought should be put into it, I mean its the first impression that a prospective employer gets to see of that person.
 
Anhar Miah said:
:D

I think its about context, we all can put the effort when its required.

And I feel in any job application some thought should be put into it, I mean its the first impression that a prospective employer gets to see of that person.
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Exactly. First impressions count in the real world. Comparing forum postings to an email where the applicant is looking for work isn't a fair comparison. Not even close.

Mike
Sent from iPhone.
 
I don't think it's that the applicant is illiterate. Just that he thinks it's cool to type in that stupid text / myspace speak for a business email and typed his response with one pass.

So go back to the top of the flow chart and insert "clueless" for the lack of business sense. And "no attention to detail" for crapping out a two sentence response without even looking at it, and then decide.

If I got a letter from someone that honestly seemed semi illiterate but built great creatures, I wouldn't blink and I would hire him.

But that's not what this is. This is "I don't give a ****. I rock. Hire me." Or rather "I DUN GIVE A SHITTE. I ROK. HIRRE MEE."
 
I note that this is really only a question which comes up with people who are either new to the hiring process or who haven't hired anyone at all.

After you've done it quite a few times, a response like that one goes to the circular file immediately, with a pretty high degree of confidence that you're not missing out on much. If the guy is serious and is going to make it, he's going to learn to communicate like an adult. Until he does, he's just not ready, and there are far too many other applicants, always, who are ready.
 
In a way I'm happy to see that other people can be so stupid, it makes it easier for me to get a job. I go over everything to make sure there are no stupid mistakes and it looks 100% professional.

Even when you do everything right, you don't always have success. I wonder if the people who are so careless with their applications ever get a job?


Bob Diaz
 
That applicant was to the extreme. I did know a fellow when I was a lad who couldn't spell to save his life, but he was thoughtful and a great worker with some real photographic skills.

Hopefully, his better half writes his applications and cover letters for him.

e
 
I'd at least be interested in seeing some of these creatures he's made. Not very many people can legitimately put this on their resume.
 
David Jimerson said:
I note that this is really only a question which comes up with people who are either new to the hiring process or who haven't hired anyone at all.

After you've done it quite a few times, a response like that one goes to the circular file immediately, with a pretty high degree of confidence that you're not missing out on much. If the guy is serious and is going to make it, he's going to learn to communicate like an adult. Until he does, he's just not ready, and there are far too many other applicants, always, who are ready.
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I agree 100%

I don't care if you are the greatest graphic designer in the universe, if you cannot display some sort of responsibility and professionalism in business emails, then I have no reason to deal with you. Like Jack said, this person just thinks it's cool to use language you would use when talking to your friends on MSN, but in a business atmosphere that is a no go. They are not illiterate, they are unprofessional and they are not ready.

That being said, if they were illiterate or non-native and they provided good work, that would be one thing. That is not the case here. I may talk crazy on an internet forum and a misspelling may slip in here or there but if you want to talk business my emails will be professional and serious. At least that's what I hope for :grin:.
 
As much as we might be shocked by the unprofessional job applicants, I find many, many job ads equally shocking. Just saw an "editor" position on Craigslist. Pay? $12/hour. Which prompted one person to post a response in the Craigslist jobs section too (it wasn't me!):

12 bucks / hour? Are you serious?!

Your ad should also ask for details about which STOLEN software we use. No one who purchased a legal license, equipment and who values his professionalism will accept such a rate. Good luck with such an approach...

Heheh. The shoes go on both feet apparently.
 
You can occasionally find actual professionals who are in such horribly desperate straits that they'd accept such a low rate.

If there's an actors' strike, the odds of finding them may improve.
 
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