17 Best Tips for Replying to a Help Wanted Ad
Posted on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 by Sarah ChambersWe posted a job for a writer on craigslist. We’ve received more 150 in less than two days. We had some really creative responses…and some that were less than ideal. Here are some themes I picked up from that experience.
17 Best Tips for Replying to a Help Wanted Ad
- Tip 1: When applying for jobs at small companies: If you can find the names of people who work there, say Dear Name, not To Whom It May Concern.
- Tip 2: Looking for a job? Don’t tell them you CAN send what they ask for in the ad. Show them by sending it!
- Tip 3: Meet them before you ask how many days off you’ll get.
- Tip 4: Applying to be a writer? Don’t misspell something in the sentence where you talk about the quality of your work.
- Tip 5: If you want me to look at your LinkedIn profile on the Internet – don’t expect me to Google it, give me a link.
- Tip 6: Don’t put your GPA on your resume. If you ignore Tip 6, make sure you have a 4.0.
- Tip 7: Match the font in the “to” field of your note to the content of your note to TRY to disguise standardized notes.
- Tip 8: When cutting and pasting into responses to ads – PROOFREAD. Repeating the same text is not good.
- Tip 9: If you apply for a developer job and give your personal URL, make sure your site is working.
- Tip 10: Don’t forget the attachment. If you say it’s there, attach it.
- Tip 11: If the ad says “don’t call,” don’t f%#@ing call!
- Tip 12: Know what you don’t know. Embrace it. Acting like you know everything makes you look like you know nothing.
- Tip 13: Remember, it’s a buyers market. I’m looking for a reason to rule you out. Don’t give me one. (see tips 1-12)
- Tip 14: If you’re applying to be a front-end web developer, don’t buy a template and send it as your sample.
- Tip 15: “People have always been told I am a better communicator through my writing not by my speaking” – For a writer job?
- Tip 16: If you’re going to be arrogant, make me laugh (and back it up).
- Tip 17: Put your education at the end of your resume.
NB: I originally posted these on Twitter. You can follow me there at http://twitter.com/sarahchambers.
Frank Roche
Aug 5th, 2009
Really brilliant stuff, Sarah. The cool part is this is in real time — recommendations right from the letters as they come in. Very entertaining.
Ron Ulrici
Aug 5th, 2009
These are great and will be very useful to all job applicants. I always told applicants that most recruiters have a job description in front of them and the resumes that match them go in the number one pile. Then, it is as you say – don’t give the recruiter a reason to rule you out. And.. I always got turned off when the candidate asked about the benefits first.
Dorothy
Aug 6th, 2009
Your blog post cracked me up, thanks. I too recently posted an ad on CL for a writer. Might I also suggest: 1. Please forgo the “May God Bless You!” line in your signature—it’s weird. 2. A fortune cookie quote does not a cover letter make e.g. “Obstacles are put in your way to see if what YOU want is worth fighting for” …with nothing else? …really? 3. Asking me for documentation of my commitment to EOE before you’ll send me your resume only serves to make me think you are scary.
Frank Roche
Aug 6th, 2009
@Dorothy There are some scary things…like saying, “I won’t send you a resume. If you’re interested, call me.” I’m not interested.
The amazing things is we got tons of really talented people too. Scary numbers of those. Is it the economy?
James Sterling
Aug 6th, 2009
While perusing the job listings I happened upon yours and ultimately arrived here. I have always had an appreciation of language and those who are skillful in its use. I would have my dictionary handy when I read John Cheever and he never failed to amaze when I would look up one of his words and find it to be uncommon, yet accessible and it would be…the perfect word.
Words are not only the tools of “writers”. When I have written a psychosocial assessment, it was a someone’s life story, from beginning to present. A progress note in a client’s chart is a small slice of their life.
My writing samples are buried in charts and records of past clients. I have been a writer for many years, using words to sell, influence, and help. I am glad I didn’t make your list of applicant failures by trying to be one of your writers.
leah the librarian
Aug 6th, 2009
Education at the end of a resume? Seriously? I have never seen that…perhaps this varies from field to field?
FemJesse
Aug 7th, 2009
Yea, Frank… It really is. I know scores of talented people that have been laid off since the start of 09′ including myself. I performed well enough in my duties to receive a 12% raise last year, hows that for mixed signals? Well, I’m not a writer I’m a designer so I’m not pleading for a job or anything, just chiming in about the state of things. Wish or pray or cross your fingers for the 12% of us who are unemployed right now. Girl’s gotta eat =(
Sarah Chambers
Aug 7th, 2009
Ron – it’s amazing how many things applicants don’t know that HR people take as a given (like don’t give the recruiter a reason to rule you out).
Dorothy – I laughed a this. There are so many funny things that are really scary to employers. Sometimes I wondered if it was people testing the system.
Frank – you’re right – so many talented people. It’s fantastic and unsettling.
John Cerasani
Aug 14th, 2009
Tip 12: Know what you don’t know. Embrace it. Acting like you know everything makes you look like you know nothing.
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Its amazing how otherwise talented/capable people feel as if they need to do this in a job interview. It really baffles me. If you don’t know what the difference is between a self-funded health insurance and a fully insured health insurance account is, please don’t pretend like you do! You won’t be able to do the job your interviewing for, but you may be able to work here in another capacity!
Frank Roche
Aug 14th, 2009
@John Really great observation. It’s okay to say you don’t know something. It’s not okay to fake it…Pullin’ a Palin doesn’t work in job interviews.