An open letter to potential employers. A few suggestions based on my recent experience:
* If you are not interested in hiring me, or do not feel that I am suited to the job; do not call me and treat me like I am wasting your time. Guess what, you've just wasted your own time.
* If you are going to be conducting a phone interview, use the words "phone interview" when you call me. "A few questions" implies that what you want to know is a) am I still interested and b) am I available to come in for an interview. At the very least give a time frame for the conversation, like: "this will take approximately 20 minutes". Even if it takes longer than 20 minutes, I'll at least know whether I'll be able to make my lunch date or not. Just because I'm underemployed doesn't mean I don't have things to do.
* Just as I am expected to be prepared for an interview, so I expect you to be prepared. At the very least make sure that you have read my resume before you call. That way you'll be well informed about the highest level of education I have achieved and whether I am a teacher or a rocket scientist. Asking questions I have already given you the answer to gives me the impression you are reading off a script and probably don't remember my name.
* Repeating the same question over and over again is tantamount to harassment. If I am not giving you a clear idea of how my past experience relates to the job, either a) you have not explained the requirements of the job to me sufficiently or b) I am not actually suited to the job in your opinion. Throw me a bone, or move on.
* Treating me like an idiot does not make me want to work for you. You need me as much as I need you. Remember that.
* Just as you have had to wade through multiple resumes, I have sent resumes to multiple employers in a variety of fields. Assuming that yours is the only company I have applied to is naive and unrealistic. I would never assume that I am the only person who has applied for the job and strive to present myself in the best light possible as a result. I suggest you do the same.
* If you are outsourcing your HR duties to someone, makes sure they are suited to the job. In fact, there are many wonderful agencies that specialize in this field that hire friendly, personable staff. Just as my resume creates your first impression of me, the person who calls to discuss my resume is my first impression of you.
*Asking if maintaining a professional appearance will be a "problem" for me is both judgmental and vague. A better way of determining such things would be during the interview, or to give an example of what you consider to be "professional" attire, ie: "do you own a suit?"
This is dedicated in particular to the woman from the Real Estate Agency and the woman from the National Bank of Canada. Thank you for your time.
