Apply for Jobs You Really Want

As a recruiter, the need arises to post job requirements on the Internet after I exhaust my other resources and determine that I need some outside help. One would assume that everyone who replies has thoroughly read the job description, location of the workplace, and available pay rate before applying. This past week, I received a few reminders that people seem to send resumes regardless of whether or not they fit the job, and even more annoying, if they really want the job.

One resume arrived in my email this week applying for a job as a Human Resources Coordinator. The candidate had spent the past 20 years as a Gemologist with absolutely no mention of anything related to HR. Another candidate applied for a position requiring at least 5 years experience assembling large industrial machinery but had spent about 10 years as a department head in a grocery store with no other experience listed!  A posting for a part-time person to provide desktop support at a pay rate of not more than $20 hourly for 25 hours per week drew a response from someone informing me they are a perfect fit but will only consider full time positions at a minimum of $40 hourly! 

My final example comes from a phone call I placed to a woman who sent in a wonderful resume in response to an ad for a job in Manhattan. Her mother answered the phone and asked where the job was located since her daughter was out at the moment. Upon hearing Manhattan, she scolded me since her daughter only wants a job on Long Island. I politely (though it was hard to do) informed her that since her daughter specifically wrote me about the job, I really needed her to call me. Since I never heard back (and found 2 very willing people to submit to my client), I will assume that either the candidate did not pay attention to location before replying or the mom never gave her my message.

Some of you may feel that a candidate should apply for every job posted in an effort to find work. I will leave you with this thought, I do remember people who respond to jobs they either do not remotely fit or have no intention of taking.  If they contact me later on for a better fitting opportunity, I will remember them and put them toward the bottom of my list! Once a candidate leaves a poor impression, it is hard for me to send them out to my valued clients.