Candidates Say The 'Darndest' Things!
Remember the show - "Kids Say The Darndest Things"? It made us laugh. It was embarrassing - although usually not to us directly. Well - over the years, we have the equivalent thing happening at our search firm - but from senior-level candidates. In the last few weeks, here are a few favorites:
- E-mail to my address but directed to one of my competitors
- This used to happen when 'snail mail' was common. Back in the late 1980's, I worked for Pillsbury as their Manager of Staffing and College Relations. My counterpart at General Mills and I would trade resumes on occasion. I would give him the resumes (with cover letters) that had envelopes addressed to me but letters addressed to him. He would give me the corresponding items he received with the same 'issue.' SLOW DOWN - e-mails like the one I received do not make a strong first impression.
- E-mail subject line - "Important Resume Update"
- My favorite part of this - the e-mail itself was a mass e-mail sent out to a distribution list. The candidate, who was simply letting people know he was still looking for a new position, is someone I have met a few times. SUGGESTION - personalize your e-mail to people you know.
- E-mail subject line - "Your Next Hire"
- A bit pretentious - my first reaction. This was also a mass e-mail sent out to a distribution list. Again, personalize your e-mails if you want someone to really look to you as a quality candidate.
- Misspelling of Quality when applying for a Quality functional position
- Hmmmm - no further comment needed
- Objective on an executive resume
- The subject line of the e-mail was a referral from someone I did NOT know, but I opened the resume anyway. The objective read: "Seeking a challenging and rewarding career with" That's it - it simply ended. The person is a President of a Capital Management company. Well - you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
- Starting your e-mail, "Hi Dave!"
- This was an e-mail from someone I did not know. For those of you that know me, I go by David. This is not a preference; it is simply my name. If you know a person well, you should know what to call them. If you do not know a person well, do not assume they take a common shortened name form of your choosing. This (again) becomes part of the first impression you make.