Where's My Jetpack?: Job Seekers Who Do Not Meet All Requirements Need Not Apply

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Job Seekers Who Do Not Meet All Requirements Need Not Apply

It doesn't matter that you can demonstrate award-winning skills in a variety of disciplines. They know exactly what they want in a candidate, and you are not it.

What few job offers that are out there these days have a specific specialist in mind. The days of the creative generalist seem to be winding down. I saw a quote from Tina Brown in the paper today:

"No one I know has a job anymore. They've got Gigs."

In today's "Boys of the Credenza" comic, The Creative Team meets with the Human Resources Director. (Based on an actual ad I found on Career Builder. Click for the big.)

Labels: ad jobs, advertising jobs, careerbuilder, creative, economic downturn, homemade comics, Human Resources, jobs, recession

6 Comments:

In 2007 I left a job took time off and then decided on a career change. I put together a great resume and then took advantage of Monster and Career Builder. The BIG companies I applied too instead of asking for me to send my resume they asked me to enter my resume by hand word by word into their own computer system. Each time took me 30 minutes. I said F This these sites suck, these companies have some nerve since its not like they can't see my resume and decide in 2 secs if they think I should get a call.

And its very short sighted for business to be so narrow in what they seek. In fact books and tomes have been written about which businesses are successful and the ones that are so tight and narrow are not the ones to buy stock in.

That is why I got into Advertising taking a chance with a 23 and 24 year old from France who had a slick idea. Even though it put me on bad financial footing when they folded, it is now the basis for my business.

By Howie, at July 15, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Yes, the degree in journalism is key for an advertising job, especially since the distinction between the two became unidentifiable in the last election, and pretty much remains so.

By Yosi Ganda, at July 15, 2010 at 11:17 AM
I’m in a similar postion.

I’m fortunate enough to be employed at the moment but I’m on the lookout – I saw a fantastic sounding role here in the UK for something that sounds like a really good next step, utilises my current skills and I have an almost perfect background to at least get an interview for this job. At the foot of the appplication form it says “Only successful applicants will be contacted” which is totally fine.

I haven’t heard a thing. To the extent that I’m thinking “maybe the contact form is broken, maybe they never got my CV…” I can’t believe they haven’t at least called me to do a first stage, sounding-out, interview.

There must be some spectactularly well-qualified people out there for me to not get a sniff. Or maybe, as it’s through an agency rather than direct with the employer, they’ve already got their ‘quota’ of applicants and don’t care…. But I can’t think like that, that way madness lies….

By HellisEmpty, at July 16, 2010 at 5:51 AM
I sometimes wonder if placing the ad is merely a legal requirement and the firm already has their ideal candidate picked out, tailoring the ad to fit that person's unique qualifications. I half-expect them to say, "Your first name must be Hans, you should be between 5'11" and 6'1" and have been born under Aquarius."

By RFB, at July 16, 2010 at 10:52 AM
On the other side, when you are trying to recruit candidates with a certain range of experience level and talent, you get A LOT of inquiries from those that should start off with "I know I do not match the criteria..." AND should continue reading, "you have spent money on posting an ad for but I'm sure you will have time to do a qualifying call with me..." Try doing that with 100s of applicants. It's hard when the position has a certain need and budget. It is like finding a needle in the haystack at times.

Most recruiters would love to answer all inquiries, it's just impossible at times, especially now that so many great and not so great people are out there looking.

I know if I could clone myself, I would answer every single one. I do my best though and average about 100 responses to the 150 inquiries per week. While trying to interview as many as possible and manage the processes of the 5-10 candidates going on to the next round per week for various positions.

Have a little empathy if you have never been the one on the receiving end. That tends to come across to the recruiter and the door gets a little more open when that is evident.

By Anonymous, at July 20, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Point well made, Anon - there are two sides to every story.

By RFB, at July 20, 2010 at 3:27 PM