Candidate Not Applying Correctly

[Anonymous]

weird - i've recevied interviews from top firms by doing what that guy did.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard an employer describe their office as "hip."

But given that that is how your company presents itself -- hip and boutique -- I wouldn't be surprised to get emails like you are getting.

I think it's inappropriate of an employer to ask for references up front. That's the kind of thing that should be requested at or after an interview. I don't feel comfortable submitting reference contact information to private websites for small companies with which I'm not entirely familiar. It's one thing for me to send my own information. But I don't like giving the contact info of other people unless I'm certain it's a legitimate position and I'm at least getting an interview.

But all of that aside, if you are already annoyed with the applicant's approach, don't call back.

I don't mean any of this to be snarky, but it sounds like your company and you are very inexperienced with hiring and vetting applicants (if you need to go to an anonymous forum for an opinion). If I were you, I would go to a recruiting agency/headhunter that has a lot of experience and a solid reputation.

Just because the applicant send you an email promoting himself doesn't mean he is a narcissist, by the way. Tons of people advise promoting yourself, contacting people directly, et cetera, as a way to land the job you want. He probably thinks that he's taking charge. He would be ahead to go to a recruiting agency as well and get some better advise about how to apply for positions.

The other question is, how many applications have you gotten through the website? If you have gotten tons and tons and yet you noticed this one person because he emailed you directly, then maybe there is something to his approach -- he got your attention.

I second PPs who say online applications feel like black holes.

[Anonymous]

^^^ sent not send. sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:weird - i've recevied interviews from top firms by doing what that guy did.

Agree. It even worked with McKinsey some years ago. It's all in the delivery: "I'm awesome and you should hire me" vs "Appreciate the opportunity to connect briefly; my background seems like a good fit for what you are seeking, most notably X and Y"

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a go getter....but if you are hiring office drones.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what you WANT. Does the job need someone with attention to detail and can do what someone asks?

OR

Does the job need creative thinking and get sh*t done no matter what it means?

You'll know what to do based on that answer.

[Anonymous]

Um...if you're running an agency, you should have enough of a brain to figure this out for yourself. Clearly you do not.

[Anonymous]

I'm stuck on the part where he wrote "Hey Anne".

Not the fact that he sent an email and a cover letter type introduction and bypassed the online instructions, but the fact that he was inappropriately folksy and chummy with "hey".

[Anonymous]

Following instructions is a critical skill any employee must have. Once you're the boss & run your own agency, you can do anything you want. Until then, if you can't follow instructions, you don't belong in the workplace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um...if you're running an agency, you should have enough of a brain to figure this out for yourself. Clearly you do not.

Yes you win. I should just shutter my award winning business and toss my 50 employees out on the street. I'm an idiot, and I should kill myself since I'm such a drain to this message board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he had also included a resume, other useful info I might consider him as assertive. But as it is he is already making more work for you as you now at a minimum need to send a request for enough info. He is an annoying inconsiderate coworker. No way.

Yes, why the hell didn't he also attach a resume. Seems annoying. Do not create work for someone else if you don't have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um...if you're running an agency, you should have enough of a brain to figure this out for yourself. Clearly you do not.

Yes you win. I should just shutter my award winning business and toss my 50 employees out on the street. I'm an idiot, and I should kill myself since I'm such a drain to this message board.

You sound fun. Can I also work for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I run a hip, boutique interactive agency that recently posted some positions. We clearly state the application process is to send a cover letter, resume and references through our website. A candidate bypasses all of that to email me - "Hey Anne!" and proceeds to tell me why I should hire him. Does not attach any of the requested a materials online as directed.

Is this maverick exactly the sort of out of the box thinking our company needs or is this a self-important narcissist whose email should get immediately marked as spam?

I think so, but it depends on your clients. I would hire a recruiting firm that innovates on the old model of resume+references+cover letter and comes up with something unique to attract qualified, dynamic candidates who sell themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I run a hip, boutique interactive agency that recently posted some positions. We clearly state the application process is to send a cover letter, resume and references through our website. A candidate bypasses all of that to email me - "Hey Anne!" and proceeds to tell me why I should hire him. Does not attach any of the requested a materials online as directed.

Is this maverick exactly the sort of out of the box thinking our company needs or is this a self-important narcissist whose email should get immediately marked as spam?

I think so, but it depends on your clients. I would hire a recruiting firm that innovates on the old model of resume+references+cover letter and comes up with something unique to attract qualified, dynamic candidates who sell themselves.

Sorry I just realized you are not a recruiting firm. As a business owner myself, these are actually the kind of people I hope are interested in coming to work with me.

[Anonymous]

If you respond to him, then he'll feel free to continue writing you directly throughout the recruitment process. If you feel comfortable with that, then respond with "Thanks for your interest. I hope you're also formally applying via the website."

But if you don't want to be on the receiving end of calls and emails following up to ask if you got it, whether he made the cut, when he can expect an interview, etc etc etc - then forward the email to HR and let them respond. It's their job.