Aug 09 2010
In case you didn't already know, we're hiring. Or at least we're trying. Problem is, out of the pile (and I do mean pile) of applicants, only one person has really stood out. One! And he turned out to be someone who couldn't return a phone call. (Did I do something wrong? Dunno. At this point, don't care.)
With all the frustration of finding a real person that fits our tiny little virtual team and not some copy and paste freak, it was only fitting when I came across Cameron Moll's recent post on what managers look for when hiring designers/developers. He references an article written by Design Director at NewSpring Church, Joshua Blankenship, titled "What People Like Me Are Looking For in Designer/Developer Portfolios." Both are fantastic articles. The problem is that the applicants we're getting clearly aren't reading them and certainly haven't read anything similar.
It's mind-blowing how stale and boring people become when they're applying for jobs. Copying and pasting a generic cover letter / email and changing the company name is B-O-R-I-N-G. Not to mention insulting. But perhaps the worst part is that it makes the applicant look just. like. everyone. else. Guess what that means? Their chances just dropped to practically nil.
As Joshua put it, "standouts get hired, not résumés—have a voice. Articulate why you’re different."