THE Eye recently got together with a friend who looked dazed after an entire week of sorting out job applications for several openings in the company he works for.
As he stirred his cup of coffee, he shook his head in wonder and said that it was disheartening that many young job applicants these days did not seem serious about the process of applying for a job.
“I just get lots of emails with resumes attached, and nothing else. No cover letter, not even a letter written out in the email itself. Most of the resumes attached do not seem that there was much effort put into compiling them. And these are from supposed university graduates!” he lamented into his cup of coffee.
The fact that many organisations allow the submission of job applications through email does not help the solemnity of the entire process.
The Eye can relate to this, having received applications via email stating the likes of “I attach my resume for the job. Thank you”, despite meticulously spelling out documents required in advertisements. Sadly, many of such applications are from those who have recently left school or obtained their first degrees.
Over the years, the Eye has become convinced that the fine art of applying for a job no longer exists among fresh graduates.
It was just recently that the Eye received an application for a position on the Eye’s organisation. The email’s subject read “Apply for Job!”
Yes, it was written with an exclamation mark.
The email’s content itself simply read “Dear Sir, I apply for my job that you advertise in the newspaper. Herewith attaching resume. I hoping I get my job. Thank you.”
The Eye did not know whether to feel sorry for the applicant, to laugh or to be irritated.
Thinking back, the Eye thought that at least the applicant made an attempt to write more than one line, as compared to some applicants who simply attach resumes to emails without even a one-line email to say that they are applying for a job.
Plus, it could have been the language barrier factor that restricted the applicant from writing a lengthy cover letter (or cover email).
The Eye is old school. The Eye believes that no matter how a job application is forwarded to an organisation, there is a protocol to the process.
A cover letter is essential. A cover letter tells a lot about the applicant.
The originality, the tone and the manner in which is written can be the first step towards clinching a job.
These days, it is easy to tell if one’s cover letter is copied from the internet or a word processing template.
Sadly, very few applicants actually take the time to compose their own cover letters from scratch these days.
It makes one wonder if many job applicants out there are actually serious about working or building a career path for themselves.
Half hearted attempts at applications and incomplete submission of the required documents depict job seekers who are far from diligent. Applications like these find their way to the Eye’s trash bin almost immediately.
The Eye is sure that there are some courses that prepare students for job applications and interviews before they leave universities or colleges. Do they actually pay attention in these classes?
Perhaps they do not realise how things are in the real working world. Perhaps they have yet to learn how to sell themselves to an organisation.
Or, perhaps, the younger generation just assumes that we OWE them jobs, unlike the older generation that understand good things in life are earned.
But as it is, the Eye is sure that many who deal with human resource will agree that the art and finesse associated with writing in for a job, is fast disappearing.