We didn't promote a truly amazing person fast enough, so she left, which really sucks. So we're interviewing to replace her.
And there's one girl that I want to email, but I'm afraid it would not go over well, or be legal or appropriate or whatever, so I'll just offer three comments here for general edification purposes.
- Your portfolio has to be 100% perfect. No mistakes. Yes, I love writing and you do too and that's why you love this kind of work. Yes yes, very touching. But you know what else I'm good at? Editing. And speed reading. And multitasking. So when we are casually chatting and I flip through your portfolio as we are talking, I really am reading it. And when I see "penile code" instead of "penal code" (I wish I were kidding), you are sunk. Done. However, that won't matter if you have already knocked yourself out of the running. So I didn't even mention this to any of the other interviewers because I didn't want to embarrass you. You were already out because - well, keep reading.
- You have to be on time. I'm always late to things, I get that. But it's just not an option on an interview. Drive the route the day before. Leave an hour early. Whatever. If you're 45 minutes late, you've screwed yourself. But again, that probably won't matter either, if - well, one more thing.
- For the love of God, make your Myspace private. I'm not saying don't have one, but don't make it visible to people who aren't your friends. And if you have a Myspace or a Facebook, make your profile picture innocuous. Just make sure that what you can find online from searches of your name or your email is professional - or better yet, not there at all. Because we will find it, and we will make fun of it, and you will be out of consideration before you even start because you have allowed us to know way too much about you.
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3 comments:
"Here is why you suck:..."
Yeah, don't be that guy.
Good advice, Sarah. I'll never forget seeing a resume that said "TD Waetrhouse" - She assumed spellcheck caught "Waterhouse" and didn't bother to see if it was spelled correctly. Oops.
And, well, of course, there'ds this. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H38kl4z6Lng
:D
great advice! I know I had some crazy interviews when I needed to hire new staff. I always checked to see if they had myspace or facebook before they came in.
my favorite was the woman who asked me if I had children. Stunned, I replied that I did not. She said, "oohhhh... well someday then, right?" - holy crap, poor boundaries, lady!
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