Job Discussion Forums

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject: A likely candidate?

You are a DOS in a language school. You get the following reply to an advert forwarded to you by your recruitment department. Any comments as to how you would procede?

My current contract with the XXXXXX concludes June, 13th, 2009

I did Moscow before last year with InLingua, loved the city, hated the lies from IL

You should try comparing notes with Tim from XXX

You add seems much more realistic/honest- very good

What is your exact location in Moscow? where will the classes be held? I have my city maps, I wanna check the movements

I�d be willing to consider trying again for 1 year @ $22 an hour as I know clients pay in Euros (mine did) and the dollar isn�t what it was

I have tons of exp, please see my CV- I never got a certificate, and I probably won�t

Honestly, as long as there isn�t any funny business, I�ll do my part-

teach them/keep them happy, as long as you pay your business will grow (assuming your sales staff is good)

I could start in July after returning home to LA for a new visa

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Pass. They're saying bad things about their employer, don't take EFL seriously enough to get a cert. Don't understand the name dropping with time. DOn't like money being mentioned when you start speaking with someone. What's with the langauge like funny business, wanna, and did Moscow. And the too familiar terms, like him telling you that you have to run your business well and the fact that the dollar is low?

Id' pass on this applicant.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

Dear XXXXX,

Thank you for your interest in our organisation's teaching programs. We're not currently looking for anyone with your profile, but I'll be happy to keep you on file for any future opportunities for which we feel you would be suited. Thank you again for your interest and time.

Best regards,
Justin Trullinger

(Having sent out this reply, which is a form letter, I would file the app in the trash. Life's too short to deal wth that sort.)

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

Wow, that's shockingly bad. It's almost as though he is actively trying not to get a job.

Mike_2007 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 349 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Dear XXXXX,

Thank you for your letter. We would be happy for you to take part in one of our excellent English language courses. Please contact our sales staff directly to reserve your place on the appropriate course.

Warmest wishes,
The DOS

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for your replies. Yes, shockingly bad. Welcome to my world. I agree wholeheartedly with the opinions expressed above, and am gratified to see I am not the only one who formed a very negative opinion of the job-seeker. Was just posting as a quick sanity check. We all passed!

The only thing I'd add is that I wouldn't bother even replying at all, and I'd guess ditto lots of recruiters/DOSes.

On the other hand I do find it extremely useful for my business students as a template of what not to do in a formal letter. Try it yourselves and see. Students seem to get a real kick out of it. Maybe the applicant 'taught' them at some point... Very Happy

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

Dear XXXXXX
Unfortunately our hourly rate is only 21.50. Sorry we can't match your rate.
Good luck with finding a suitable position.
Best regards
XXXXXXXX

khmerhit · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject:

Dear XXXXX

Thank you for sending your resume to the Universal School of Knowledge and Pink Rabbit English College of Siem Reap. After careful consideration of your abilities and experience, we would like to offer you a position in the pre-school to K division at the agreed rate of 3.99 USD an hour.

We look forward to hearing from you at the earliest, etc etc.

Yours Sincerely,

Khmerhit DoS

C A M B O D I A
try it and see Laughing

johnslat · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject:

Dear kymerhit,

" . . . we would like to offer you a position in the pre-school to K division at the agreed rate of 3.99 USD an hour.

C A M B O D I A
try it and see"

Ah, yet another incredible job offer from Cambodia, huh? Should I fire off my resume?

Regards,
John

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject:

The only thing is, I always reply.

After all, if you don't, they may write again.

Where do you work, Sashadroogie? Time for a vacation?

The ones I get a lot of in Ecuador are the ones who have been lied to by a course provider. So they say "Since I have X(marvelous cert qual) I know I can expext a salary of Y(absolutely outlandish salary expectation).

Or the ones who are CONVINCED that, as an Ecuadorian employer, I must be trying to rip them off, and react suspiciously to everything.

Best,
Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

It's shocking how bad some cover letters are. I've gotten some with

no capitalisation, including "i would like a job"
Slang, "gonna, wanna"
Moneygrubbers, "so how much do you pay?"
Employer bashers, "I'm looking for a job becuase the place I'm working for is horrible.
Negative people " I have absolutely no experience and would like to teach English"
typos "Culd you sendme some info?"

I think I should start saving some of the really bad ones Smile

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject:

Definitely save them. Sometimes they're good for a laugh. I sometimes use them in the "how not to find a job" section of our TESOL course...

Best,
Justin

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

There should be a competition to see who has received the best bad application. I remember in my old job someone had written their application around a picture of a dragon. Damn strange as there was absolutely no connection between the company and anything dragon-related.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject:

Not that I'm keeping a file...but here's one I got a while ago.

Names removed to protect the guilty.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:17 pm Post subject:

Another Fave: