I have a new job. I successfully blagged my way through the hiring process and my new job involves hiring people, so I’ve seen the process from both sides. I thought I would share some observations.
- Don’t go out of your way to tell me that you don’t have a criminal record, because now I think you’re a criminal
- Just because your mother is a painter doesn’t automatically get you an ‘in’ to working for an art museum – I’m interested in your technology skills.
- Having ‘Art’ as your favorite subject at school doesn’t automatically get you an ‘in’ to a technology job at an art museum
- Often visiting my institution doesn’t automatically get you an ‘in’ to an interview
- The success of my institution isn’t dependent on me hiring you
- My art museum is not in the ‘Entertainment Industry’
- I’ll be the judge of whether you are ‘the perfect candidate’
- I’ll be the judge of whether you have ‘mad programming skills’ – whatever that means
- I’ll also be the judge of whether I can afford your talents
- Cover letters normally consist of more than ‘resume attached – read it and weep’
- Don’t just list every programming language you can think of and tell me you are expert in all of them, particularly if you are only 25 years old
- I’m not interested in your hobbies and pastimes unless they are illegal
You think I’m joking?…
More seriously, here’s my process. A first pass through the resumes into Yes, No and Maybe; A ‘phone conversation with everyone in the Yes list; a second review of the Maybes followed by a ‘phone conversation as appropriate; Onsite interview with the short list. This may be my own take on hiring, but basically I’m looking for smart people who will fit in, largely because those are the two things that I cannot teach you. Having the necessary experience for the job is what I am looking for, being smart and fitting in is what I need.
The key in all of this is a resume and cover letter that gets you through the first pass. I took a look at the types of applications that pass my first round and largely its the cover letter that separates the wheat from the chaff. If I am looking for a Java programmer with 3-5 years J2EE experience, I will have several dozen resumes listing that experience, so the cover letter is what gets you into my Yes or Maybe folder. So, here’s my advice on successful cover letters. A successful cover letter:
- Is about you, it tells me who you are, what you are working on and what you are looking for
- Provides a narrative to your resume
- Specifically refers to the job posting
- Attaches samples or links to your work
- Has been spell-checked
If you are currently in the process of looking for a job, I wish you luck. You may find some useful tips and advice at the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group website. If you are currently trying to hire, you’re on your own, but I wish you even greater luck.
