How Not to Get a Job or a Contract

Greg Bulmash on the BrainHandles blog has a great post on "How NOT To Get Hired". He explains his frustrations with the people who responded to his need for help on a project. He's looking for a contractor, but his experience applies to those seeking direct hires too.

... most of the resumes are from people who didn't read the job description, didn't read the application instructions, and just shot off a generic resume and cover letter that didn't address the most important question... why are you the best person for this job?

Every good recruiter asks this same question with each new resume. Unfortunately, so few candidates answer.

Greg continues:

But I don't believe this scattershot, quantity-over-quality approach is good. There are possibly a lot of opportunities you might have been considered for that you were eliminated from immediately, simply because you didn't follow instructions or hit the right selling points.

Sometimes it feels like I've gone into a big box retailer, looking for a specific product, and found the ADD Employee of the Month.

Me: Hi, I'm planning to make up a big batch of chili for a party this weekend and I need a 12 quart stock pot.

Salesperson: We've got vacuum cleaners on sale today. Let me show you the latest from Dyson.

Me: I don't need a vacuum cleaner. What I really need is a good stock pot.

Salesperson: Did you know we have the largest selection of scented candles in town?

Me: Really? That's very interesting. Now, about that stock pot...

Please - do yourself a favor. Go read the whole How NOT To Get Hired post. His final points are Wisdom. Don't miss this one.