How they got through school is anyone's guess

[Mighty Girl]

My cousin handles all the new office openings for this company that her husband's family owns. Just to be privacy-minded, I won't go into more detail on that.

She's really behind and she had a HUGE stack of resumes to go through, so I was over there and her daughter is entertaining DD and I offered to weed out the illiterates (I'm pretty good at it, I graduated with a major in political science and minor in english lit.). She said thanks and I started.......

There had to have been over 200 resumes there, and I was able to ditch over 100of them because the people couldn't spell or use decent grammar. People applying for a $80K/yr + free company car every three years type of job. People with at least a bachelor's degree, and many of them had their masters. At least 30 got dropped because they didn't bother to include a cover letter. Could they BE more lazy? They're hiring for two or three different positions, what are they supposed to do, dust off the crystal ball and ask IT which position they're applying for?

There was crap like, "I accomplished a 200% increase in there profit margin". There?????? "I would of preferred to meet......" WTF? How about "I would HAVE preferred...."

Now I know we all make mistakes, but one would think if you really want the job you'd at least take a few minutes to make sure you present yourself in a way that might- oh I don't know- not make you look like an idiot to a potential employer. Run spell check for pity's sake. Act like you give a crap whether or not you get the job. If I was in a position to bring home that kind of money, you bet your ass I'd be double checking my grammar.

I was just really surprised.

[sms001]

Now I know we all make mistakes, but one would think if you really want the job you'd at least take a few minutes to make sure you present yourself in a way that might- oh I don't know- not make you look like an idiot to a potential employer.

It's sad isn't it? What makes it sadder isn't really the poor spelling and grammar, but the fact that an application is both a "first impression" AND a business letter yet people blow off its importance! Even companies that are very informal and don't necessarily focus on communication skills set the bar pretty high for apps, cover letters, and resumes. People KNOW this and still let mistakes slip through. When I'm on the sifting end of things it tells me that they don't really care. One of my pet peeves when hiring hourly staff used to be those who'd show up and ask for an app and then ask for a pen. Same thing - you are showing a remarkably casual attitude toward getting that job, and a low level of willingness to prepare in a job search. If that's your work ethic while looking, why would your work ethic ON the job be any different?

[/HIGH HORSE] That said - ironically I just mentioned in another thread that I posted the wrong cover to a company within the last year. But that cover was letter perfect darn it!

[Becks]

Now I know we all make mistakes, but one would think if you really want the job you'd at least take a few minutes to make sure you present yourself in a way that might- oh I don't know- not make you look like an idiot to a potential employer. Run spell check for pity's sake.

Sure, spell check is all well and good, but it's not perfect, either. If it's spelled correctly, but not the correct word, it'll occasionally let it slip through.

Best bet, yes...run spell check. But also get family and/or friends to look it over, too.

[XXDarrienX]

It's sad isn't it? What makes it sadder isn't really the poor spelling and grammar, but the fact that an application is both a "first impression" AND a business letter yet people blow off its importance! Even companies that are very informal and don't necessarily focus on communication skills set the bar pretty high for apps, cover letters, and resumes. People KNOW this and still let mistakes slip through. When I'm on the sifting end of things it tells me that they don't really care. One of my pet peeves when hiring hourly staff used to be those who'd show up and ask for an app and then ask for a pen. Same thing - you are showing a remarkably casual attitude toward getting that job, and a low level of willingness to prepare in a job search. If that's your work ethic while looking, why would your work ethic ON the job be any different?

[/HIGH HORSE] That said - ironically I just mentioned in another thread that I posted the wrong cover to a company within the last year. But that cover was letter perfect darn it!

Maybe I do not get it but what part of wanting to fill out a application at the location shows they are being casual, if they are dressed casual that is different. Wouldn't it mean they are more willing to try and get the job as soon as possible? I know I have filled out applications for jobs at the job in question. Whats wrong with that? I also always comes dressed for an interview as you never know when you will be given an interview on the spot.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Simple--you don't have to write resumes to get into school. High school or most any college. And many teachers don't care how badly you massacre spelling or grammar in your written assignments.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Simple--you don't have to write resumes to get into school. High school or most any college. And many teachers don't care how badly you massacre spelling or grammar in your written assignments.

Then it's really changed since I graduated high school in the late 80's.

When I was in high school, we learned how to write a resume. I had an English teacher my senior year who was a real stickler for proper grammar and spelling.

Come to think of it, I recall in my junior year getting an A+ on a creative writing assignment - and if my memory is correct, I think it was one of two A+ grades in the entire class.

If college teachers don't give a crap about spelling and grammar, then it was probably a blessing in disguise that I didn't get to go.

And yes, I've seen with my own eyes how atrocious the younger generation's spelling skills are.

I weep for humanity

[XXDarrienX]

It never fails to amaze me the notes I seen on account, abbreviations are normal for notes with limited character space, but when you spell works like telephone as talaphone or with as wth...seriously people have spelling issues.

[Bagga]

If you are going to fill in an application form at the place that is hiring, take your own pen(s), at least one of which should be black, decent quality, and in working order.

[Gurndigarn]

If you are going to fill in an application form at the place that is hiring, take your own pen(s), at least one of which should be black, decent quality, and in working order.

I know that black is what some people request... but if you're filling out an application for me, I would prefer blue. It makes what you write stand out from the page a bit more.

[morgana]

Maybe I do not get it but what part of wanting to fill out a application at the location shows they are being casual, if they are dressed casual that is different. Wouldn't it mean they are more willing to try and get the job as soon as possible? I know I have filled out applications for jobs at the job in question. Whats wrong with that? I also always comes dressed for an interview as you never know when you will be given an interview on the spot.

It's not filling out the application on site that's the problem. It's not being prepared when you come to fill out the app. Are you really going to be a steady, prepared, reliable worker if you can't even get organized enough to bring your own pen to fill out the application?

[Becks]

I know that black is what some people request... but if you're filling out an application for me, I would prefer blue.

I'd always take at least two pens, one black, one blue.

I rock.

[sms001]

Whats wrong with that? I also always comes dressed for an interview as you never know when you will be given an interview on the spot.

As a couple of our fellow CSers managed to pick up, (Despite my poorly worded paragraph ) it was the lack of a pen that would bother me. Also wasn't too fond of the phone book borrowers - when I went to paper application type jobs I always took a cheat sheet with me with the work history, references, etc., on it.
You're absolutely right about the dress aspect. Although I usually fill them out at home, I wouldn't even go in to pick one up without dressing appropriately. The first time I don't is bound to be the day the head of HR is just coming back from lunch with time to kill while I stand in the lobby in cutoffs.

[wagegoth]

You should always dress appropriately when picking up an application. It doesn't matter whether HR is available to interview you that day, because you're making an impression on the people who are in the lobby. In a small company or office, the HR person or manager will often ask the receptionist how you looked and what you did while you were in the lobby. A good hiring person wants to know how you behave when you're not trying to make the best impression.

I think favoring a black pen over a blue pen came about because older copiers did not copy blue well; it seemed to fade out and almost disappear. Nowadays, it really doesn't make a difference. But I would never fill out an application in anything other than blue or black.

When I've reviewed applications here's what the ink colors meant to me:

Blue: Standard color, acceptable
Black: Standard color, acceptable
Red: Scraped the bottom of the junk drawer for the last pen available, lack of planning
Green: Annoying, uncomfortable to read, I love this color for anything but reading, the lighter the green the lower the maturity level
Purple: Annoying, immature, probably pops gum
Pink: Really annoying, difficult to read, still playing with My Little Pony, draws little flowers to dot letter i

[powerboy]

So I am lazy for not doing a cover letter on every resume' that I have. I always keep them in the vehicle with me, just incase.

[Rapscallion]

I remember someone on here describing application forms they'd received with glitter pen or even yellow highlighter.

Rapscallion