Re: How do you respond to job ads?

[Darren Barefoot <dbarefoot -at- MPS-CANADA -dot- COM>]

In my experience, impertinence and stubbornness tend to discourage
employers. A few thoughts:

>Samples? You want samples? Not on your life! My work stays with
>me. How do I know you won't hire some rank newbie, hand them my
>work, and say "copy this" -- hey, it happens! And I believe
>that you, as a writer and hiring manager, should know better.
>Would you really send writing samples to a complete stranger???
>*Electronically* at that, so they can just cut & paste what they
>like???? Jeez!

I can get as many excellent writing samples as I want via the Internet or
the local bookstore. What, I wonder, is exceptional about yours? As a junior
technical writer (nearly a "rank newbie"), I often copy what other manuals
do. I don't need your writing samples for that.

>Secondly, I stopped sending cover letters years ago -- here's my
>resume--see my skills!--if you like it give me a call. Arrogant?
>I suppose. But I'm busy and so are you. My resume should tell
>you just enough to make you ask questions, and that's what I'm
>aiming for. (Actually, I don't even use an envelope. I print
>my tri-fold rez on card stock, fold it, tape it closed, and
>address the outside.)

A cover letter is a tool to get you the job. Surveys, anecdotal data and
this list seem to reflect that people like cover letters. The only purpose
of the resume and cover letter are to get you an interview, so why not use
both? Additionally, how irritating would an unfolded card stock resume be in
a stack of paper ones? It might encourage the employer to throw it out.

>I've never submitted a resume via email, either. I'll fax you
>a copy, mail you a copy, or send you to my web site. How do I
>know you're savvy enough to set the font size to 10 pts. before
>you send a text file to the printer???

This, I think, is too condescending to merit comment.

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