Jananas

Early in our careers we’re told how important, vital even, a good cover letter is for our success in the job market. It may just be that I don’t really like writing them (chalk it up to a dislike of writing about myself), but I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about them lately. They seem more like an economics or game theory problem, wherein we need to put more thought into why we’re writing them and use a little less blind faith about how necessary they are.

I’ve seen bosses tear off cover letters and totally ignore them. With this knowledge (i.e. that they may not even be used), one has to ask if spending a large amount of time fussing over and perfecting a cover letter is worth it. What’s the cost/benefit? On one hand you can write a kick ass, tailored cover letter and hr/the hiring manager might read it and take it into account it, all of which might give you an edge over the next person. Or you can spend all those hours fussing over a cover letter for it to never be read. For the hiring manager to have a slightly different set of priorities or a different way of interpreting what you’ve written. Then there’s the worry that the reason that you never heard back was because of your cover letter – that you didn’t spend enough time.

As the person on the outside of the hiring process, there just seem to be too many variables for me to try and guess (writing style, important skills, pet peeves, how the person’s feeling on a given day, etc.) to make it worth my while to fuss over each and every cover letter. For example, say that each cover letter takes 2 hours to think through, focus on, write. If you apply for 15 jobs that’s an entire week’s worth of work on something that the outcome of you can’t control.

I know why HR wants cover letters. It shows the you’re willing to put the time in (i.e. you have the desire to work there) – although I’d argue that spending the time to set up countless profiles and the busywork it entails shows as much commitment. It shows that you can communicate with words and that your English is good.

Are we confusing the ability to self-promote with actual business writing skills? Are we confusing it with job performance and ability?

Maybe its just part of the game that I need to accept and play along with. Maybe its just more proof that I need to step outside the system and forge ahead with whatever my great idea will be.

But I can’t help thinking of what I could have accomplished in those hours I spent agonizing over which proactive/self-serving word gave the best impression without sounding too self-serving.

This is a fairly common sleeping position around these parts. Its perfect fit to nuzzle your face into warm, fuzzy, belly goodness.

As I’ve sent out resumes, I’ve had a lot of friends ask if I’ve followed up yet. I then get a look of horror when I say no. Its not because I don’t understand the importance of follow up (instead I’ve become hyperaware of it because of how often I read about how important it is). Rather its because most of the companies I apply to receive so many applications that they flat out tell you not to follow up. I respect that, and don’t want to be seen as a pain in the ass, so I don’t.

However, not being able to follow up leaves a bit of a dilemma. As an outsider I’m missing a crucial piece of imformation – I have no idea how long a particular company or position’s job search process takes. From experience I’ve seen this take anywhere from two weeks to months. When we’ve also told that only applicants who are proceeding further in the process will be contacted not hearing anything becomes difficult to interpret. Does it mean that they haven’t made a decision/hired someone yet (meaning that there is still a possibility that I could be in the running) or does it mean that I’m not the right person for this particular job at this particular time and with this particular hiring manager. This unknown makes the job search process much harder, at least for me.

I have two suggestions to improve this.

1. First, provide a timeline by which applicants could expect to receive a response at the time of application. If it typically takes your company two weeks to review resumes/cover letters after the job posting closes and I apply, I should get a message that would say something like “only applicants who were are interested in will be contacted. they will be contacted by (xx+14) date.” You’ve set an expectation which means that if I haven’t heard back after a certain date I can stop worrying.
2. Second, send an email to all applicants who didn’t make the cut and let them know. I don’t want to harass you about why I didn’t make the cut (and while I would like to know so that I can get better) because I respect that you’re busy, have no reason to want to help, and I don’t want to piss you off just in case we cross paths in the future.

I recently applied for a job at ScotiaBank. I didn’t make the cut (which I’m totally fine with as I’m not going to be the right person for every job out there). I did however receive a form email from them letting me know that I didn’t make the cut and encouraging me to do things to tighten up my resume/make it more specific and to apply to other job postings in the future (both of which I assume are advice sent to everyone). I’m impressed that they took the time to code something like this. I’m impressed that they cared enough  about the customer experience to even think that this was important. And for me, this could be the difference between choosing one potential job over another. So Scotia, thank you.