Job Ads have stepped out of the newspaper pages and jumped on to the internet to search for the right person for their companies. Though, many still use print ads, most companies have opted to use the web- specifically, Social Networking Sites – to reach out to job seekers.
With this particular advancement, however, came a whole new issue as well. People often assume that just because a company is being represented in social media, their interaction no longer needs to be professional. During job searches and inquiries, some job hunters no longer feel the need to address the company in full sentences or even in a polite manner, simply because of the platform being used.
This shouldn’t be the case. Many companies, which use Social Networking Sites as their recruitment hub, often take note of the way an applicant sends their message and this affects their view on the person applying. Here are a couple mistakes usually made by applicants.
“HOW?”
No greetings, no indicators, just HOW in capital letters. It is understood that you may be referring to an ad posted on the site that instructed you to “send us a message to find out how!” but that doesn’t mean you just sneak into their message box and go “HOW?” without any other information. It is not only rude, but truly unprofessional. Your message does not need to be long and very formal. Starting your message with a simple “Good day, I encountered your ad for (name of position) and I am interested…” would suffice.
“I’m fresh grad of Something Degree in This Particular School. You have job for me?”
Chances are, the list of vacancies can already be viewed in the company’s website and you only need to click on it. Sending a message to a company’s website/Social Media Account with no idea what you’re applying for is a huge red flag. Why would that company need to waste their time on someone who doesn’t even take time to look up what they’re applying for? In addition to that, putting your credentials as the greeting of your poorly constructed inquiry would immediately be an X mark on your potential application. You’re already showing off how unprofessional you are by not paying attention to details and exposing your poor ettiquette.
“HI??? YOU HIRING???”
Just because you can contact the company through social media platforms just like the way you contact your friends doesn’t mean you should address them the same way. Use proper sentences- including proper punctuation. Just like #3, you are executing your unprofessional stature by addressing them very casually.
“Hi. My name is Esteban Julio Montoya De la Rose Ramirez. I have a cornucopia of experiences in this specific field that may or may not have anything to do with the position I’m applying for. My horse’s name is Jules. I call the joint of my toes toe-knees. This is my life story. Oh and attached is my resume. I look forward to hearing from you”
Contrary to the former notes, sending a far too long private message with too much irrelevant information is also not advisable. If you are seriously interested in the job they are offering, go through their account and look for their email address. If you cannot find the email, send them a brief message informing them of your interest and that you would like to send your application. Send them a formal letter of interest through email NOT through their social media account. However, if they tell you to send it through that platform, only then should you submit it through private message.
DEC 11 12:46am HI
DEC 11 1:01am HELLO
DEC 11 1:05am I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY
DEC 11 1:07am ???
Avoid sending a message to the company on social media beyond office hours if you want immediate response. Chances are, there will be no one there to cater to you. It is simply like going to a closed office and constantly knocking on their locked door; and sending them unnecessary messages would only imply that you are a potential problem employee. It shows how impatient and unbecoming you are. Nobody would like to hire someone who would only give the company a problem.
Show the company that you are worth their time before even stepping foot into their office. Follow these simple guidelines and you’re one step closer to getting that job.
