Kinds of Job Applications that Makes my Toe Curl

Now I know what a recruiter feels on a daily basis.

We're still looking for a couple of telemarketers and one data researcher and I've reviewed some job applications and let me tell you, it's been quite an interesting process. I never thought I'd be at the other end of the recruitment stage and I realized, some people are just so clueless about applying for a job. I had a few faults myself when I was still applying for a job but as someone who's now involved in the hiring process, applicants, hear yea, hear yea! 

Here are some basic tips you should know pronto.

1.) Don't just email your resume with no application letter or subject title.

I swear, I always get this. How will I know if you're applying for a telemarketer or a data researcher? So I have to do a judgement call based on your experience? Or reach out to my inner fortune-teller spirit? And besides, I find it quite rude when an applicant doesn't even have a message in their email. How hard is it to write in the subject title "application for telemarketer" with the message: "Hi, Please see attached file, Thanks." 

An application without a subject title and message will be like you've passed by my table and dumped your file, without even  introducing yourself first then explaining why you're giving that file. I know, sounds quite dramatic but hey, how putting yourself in my shoes?

2.) Give your resume's file name a title

Perhaps writing your name in the resume filename would be kinda' nice? Hey I get a dozen resumes in a day and some just have the filename "resume.doc" You could include your name so it would be easier for recruiters to quickly look up your name from their, our files. Something like "julieann ensomo_resume.doc" will do.

3.) Save your filename as a Word doc, not docx, not txt or any other filetype.

I've received some resumes which I can't seem to open then I'd realize they are not in the right file format. Most of the time, I'd give the time and effort to convert that into the right format but sometimes, I'd be just too busy that I'll just dumped that resume and never even bother with it. I'm sorry but if you don't even have the common sense to send in the right file format, how do you expect us to shortlist you for a job? Quite harsh but true.

4.) No attachments, no resumes, no nothing. 

Sometimes all I'd get from an applicant is "Please see attached file, thank you!" then there would be no attachment. You just lost your chance buddy, never ever forget to attach your resume when applying.

5.) No knowledge about job application

One applicant had no clue what she was applying for and kept asking about the job requirement and such.

Honey, read again the job ad that you said you saw in that website before applying, it'll make our both our lives easier.

6.) Sending multiple resumes in a day

I get it that you need a job badly. But the thing is, I only need one resume from you, one email message would do. Two is still okay but sending in your application SEVEN TIMES A DAY is too much. I'll immediately block you from my email list.

7.) Asking about the salary immediately

We require the data researcher position to complete a test first and before I even send this applicant the test, she started immediately asking about the salary and the benefits. I don't know about you but that just ticks me off a bit. Huge, huge turn-off.

These little details do matter. No matter how qualified or overqualified you are, if I can't open your file or if you forgot to attach your resume or heaven forbid, I'm having that "time of the month" and you just sent me a resume with no subject title, no message, you just lost what could be a great job offer. I'm not saying these applies to all recruiters..no scratch that, these little details, apply to all  HR personnels so take note of these things and keep them in mind in your next job application.