So business is crazy busy as we grow our web based collaboration tool, WizeHive and I know I need help. Administrative help, marketing help, sales help, SEO help, etc. I also know that since I oversee most of the administration and logistics for DreamIt Ventures I’m going to need some help there too as the fall roles around to deal with accounting issues and the like.
So Sunday morning I decided to run an ad on craigslist focused on finding some help. The focus on the ad was my need for administrative help but I left the door open for folks with all sorts of different talents to apply since I could use help for WizeHive, DreamIt and a few other things I’m involved in.
The ad worked well, I’ve gotten about 300 emails so far and a great mix of talent. The range of responses is so great I thought I could share so do’s and don’ts if you are applying for a job or know someone who is. These are all from the responses I got the last few days.
First, with hundreds of other emails and a 3 page todo list I can’t spend a ton of time going through a first pass on the 300+ applications so my first goal is to quickly sift them into categories. Categories I’ve made up are essentially good, maybe, probably not and no. So my first goal is within a very short amount of time, probably about 30 seconds, to categorize each response into one of these categories. Then I will go through and rank those in the good and contact them first, then go through the maybe’s and contact them second…and if I haven’t found who I’m looking for I may go further.
So what puts things into these categories. There are some gray areas but here are some real answers based on what i received.
Lets start with what gets moved to the no pile really fast:
Call me: It is hard for me to believe but I probably have 10 to 20 emails that do not include a resume, include very little info but instead say ”I reviewed your job posting and I can really help you. My number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. Please call.” Sure, buddy, I’ve got hours to spend talking on the phone to people I know little or nothing about. Next.
Attach a resume only: I probably have another 5% to 10% that attach a resume and send it to me. No cover note or anything to give me the impression that they even read the job description and feel they are qualified. So my inclination before I even look at the resume is that they are going into the no pile and I don’t think I’ve looked at a resume that convinced me to change my mind.
Spouse’s email: OK..maybe there is a legit reason for this but why do I get an email from Joe Smith from Mary Smith’s email address. I’m in a tech business and I want tech savvy people. What does it say about them if it comes from their spouse’s email address? Actually I had a funny exchange today because I sent a quick “Thanks I”m looking at the resumes and I’ll get back to you” blast to all the people I received resumes from and I got copied in on an email between the spouses accidentally forwarding the emails around. I knew it wasn’t for me when there was a big “I LOVE YOU XXX” at the bottom of the note (or is that how some people try to get jobs?)
AOL email address: OK…this isn’t an absolute no but come on. I’ve probably gone from AOL to something to comcast to Gmail over the last 10 years. How tech savvy do I feel about someone still using an AOL email address. Not a definite “no” but a bad first impression. Sorry AOL.
So…what gets me excited? Who has done a good job and is in my top category?
When I posted the jobs I did not use my name and I also used an anonomous (craigslist) email address, but I did mention WizeHive and DreamIt. There were 2 out of 300 that spent enough time to check the sites to see who was posting and then wrote a personalized email to me by name. Do they get the job? Don’t know…but they are in my top category almost out of the shoot. All other skill sets being equal I am looking for someone who shows creativity and initiative and it doesn’t get much better then that.
There are another batch, maybe 20 or 25, where the people did almost as well. They checked into DreamIt and WizeHive sites, took the time to learn a little about the businesses, and shared with me in one way or the other that they took the time to check things out. This does not automatically get them the prize, but it sure puts them ahead of generic responses.
So in general, if you really want that job take your time to sell yourself. Do your homework and tell them how you are going to help THEM, not what you are looking for… It certainly would have a much higher chance of success then the other way around.
Well, enough blogging time, back to the resumes…
Very good pointers and insights for jobseekers. It’s easy to get down in these times when looking for a job because of the sheer numbers of people who apply but you’ve shown that all it takes to stand out from the masses is to go the extra mile…it isn’t even much to ask but I’m surprised so few people took the time to check out your websites! Hope you find the right person.
Interesting read…
In August i was on their side of the fence and notice a problem, I was not getting many responses to the Craiglists ads I was responding to. Now I can see why as you received 300+ resumes. I must have sent numerous resumes and received no word back. Finally I got fed up & when I found a job I was interested on Craigslist I then searched Facebook to find employees of the company; see if any employees and I shared a mutual connection for a referral. 80% of the time we did and it was always one degree of separation between someone i know well and the employee. Either Facebook needs to create Facebook Jobs(list jobs of X company, list employees & show u mutual connections for referral) or a Craigslist meets Facebook connect job site needs to be made. You may say linkedin is this, but who uses that everyday and I would fair to guess the connections most have on there (for me at least) are not deep or personal; not likely to see quick results or results at all; it’s also restrictive in connecting with ppl.
Well thought I’d share a random idea that is somewhat similar to this post.
I am one of your 300+ candidates and I appreciate the advice, as well as the email response you sent to let us know you received our information. I did visit DreamIt Ventures and WizeHive websites before sending my cover letter and resume to you, although you would not know this from what I sent you. I have just begun the job search and it has been quite some time for me, so thanks for the pointers. I will be quite sure in the future to make a personal reference and to let my potential employer know that I cared enough to research his business online.
Great insights from the other side….. Well, I don’t have an AOL address but I am one of the approximately 298 people who responded to your craigslist ad to the anonymous address indicated. This was after perusing your websites and loving the story regarding the $2 million dog bone. My bad. Anwering a Craiglists ad, on the few times that I found a job interesting enough to respond, feels like entering a big black void. So it was very refreshing to actually read your detailed summation of the process and the responses you found most notable. Good luck!
Mike,
Loved the post, esp. the AOL email. I sometimes give a pro bono course on internet branding, and say the same. Worse: if it comes from hotmail, I am not going to open it. The ladders said: “Here’s the reality: AOL is for old people, novices and technologically deficient professionals. Don’t be one of those people. Get your own Web site, or, if you must, use Gmail.” http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/12-daily-practices-boost-hire-ability
Keep up the good work with WizeHive.
Don