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July 25, 2006

How NOT to look for a Job

I just received this email to my company's general email account (info@...):

Dear Staffing Agent (Is that what I am now? A Staffing Agent? What is a Staffing Agent anyway? My name is right on the website for anyone to find):

A few weeks ago I contacted you expressing interest in working with you. As I had mentioned then, I am looking for a position in the design field. (So why are you writing to a small career management service that doesn't list a designer on its staff list, and hasn't advertised for one?)

I was wondering if you had come to a decision to meet with me (Yes. That was a pretty easy decision actually since we don't employ designers) or have been able to forward my documentation to another office (which other office? I don't have another office.) Enclosed are my updates and my resume and the link to my online portfolio. (Well, great. Thanks. Although I'm still not sure why I received this email).

This is such a shame. This job seeker is wasting everybody's time. How much more effective would his communication be if he actually targeted companies who do hire designers, and then addressed his email to a real person as opposed to a 'staffing agent'? Or even better, if he networked his way into a meeting or phone call with someone at that company.

Mass emails like this are spam - they're just as bad as the Nigerian prince who wants to give me all his money, or the notice about the penny stock that's about to shoot up in value and make me rich beyond my wildest dreams.

If your email isn't carefully targeted and addressed to a real person, please don't hit 'send.'

Cross-posted at Career Hub

Posted by Louise at July 25, 2006 12:21 PM