Yeah, there is some dumbness out there. I review resumes for certain positions at my company and I’ve seen some really horrid resumes. Some who, when applying for a position at our insurance agency, have objectives like, “I would like to own my own television sation someday.” I think my favorite was the one [del]that was written in strike through from top to bottom.[/del] As much as I just toss them aside and don’t really think much of it later, sometimes I will see one and not be so confused as to why that particular person is currently unemployed.
This would probably be a bit of overkill, but my friend really would like to get someone who can be a bit more than a file clerk. He’s hop g to get someone to manage his calendar electronically which he doesn’t currently have or know how to use so they would have to be able to teach him, handle travel, prepaid correspondenc for auditors and Revinue Canada etc a d what not. I think he’s perfectly happy to train someone for that type of thing if they dont know the lingo, but he’s hoping not to have someone who doesn’t even know an appropriate way to answer the phone.
That’s a pretty amazing skill – managing a calendar that doesn’t exist. Mayan?
Where’s “local”? Over 20 years experience, computer-literate, cat-herder extraordinaire, able to deal with the public . . . will submit resumé on request!
Indeed! No - it means he currently scribbles things on sticky notes and would like to use outlook instead!
Calgary
I’d shake its hand.
When I got my first office job, I spent a bunch on clothing, because my entire wardrobe was t-shirts, jeans and an interview suit.
Huh - well there you go. I just didn’t imagine guys would like the clothing thing. Oh well, they could choose that if they wanted.
If only those pesky laws didn’t prevent you from including in your job posting the super secret but actual criteria: “Ideal candidate will have a vagina, and be under 24 or over 56.”
Too bad, huh? It would make that losers-who-have-no-business-applying applicant pool far less exhausting to wade through.
Plus, an upfront display of such a telling business practice would discourage those under-24 and over-56 vagina-sporters who “wouldn’t fit into the company culture” from applying.
Man, this job would have been perfect for me 10 years ago when I had just graduated from my ‘Advanced Business Technology’ certificate program. Yup, I did the secretarial / admin training. It was two years, and a good base for that type of work, especially if you’re just out of high school.
And FYI, I’m local, and most, if not all, of these types of ad’s in Calgary specify secritarial training or equivilent training.
You guys are killing me with all the typos in your posts talking about other people’s unacceptable secretarial skills. 
Good thing I have my own secretary!
:rolleyes:
Apologies if this has already been asked, but since this is a companion to this thread, in which you are also participating, I’d like to ask if you included the words ‘Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted’ in your job advertisement and, if not, why not?
I don’t think I was participating in that thread, but I guess I might have posted and forgot and now can’t find it.
Anyhow, regarding the question, I dunno - I always thought the convention was only to contact people who had been interviewed - I suppose if it will help I can mention to my friend to add it to the next one.
Happy to help.
I think it would be a good idea. It would help applicants keep track of those companies they need to chase up. I may be in the minority, but I have a personal policy of telephoning companies which don’t respond to my applications. This is ostensibly because I want to make sure they received my letter/didn’t accidentally delete my e-mail, but mainly because I just really hate being ignored. Also, if it so happens that my application is still being considered, a brief, polite phone call will give me a chance to make a fleeting personal contact with the HR representative who is working through the CV’s, thereby demonstrating to a key individual within the company that I really am enthusiastic about the position, and consequently helping me to stand out in her mind. So as you can see, I’ve got plenty of incentive to call if I don’t receive a response to my application. If, however, you’ve included a disclaimer to the effect that unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted, then I can happily cross you off my list knowing that such a phonecall will do more harm than good. In the end, it saves time for everyone. Sorry to go on, but it’s a pet peeve of mine 
Fair enough - I’ll tell him to add it in.
In the unlikely event I got an admin job, a clothing allowance would be helpful. I doubt ripped jeans and black metal t-shirts are what you’d hope I’d wear.
Must resist temptation to link to Cannibal Corpse songs…