A few weeks ago I posted a job listing on Michlib and my coop's job board. The listing very clearly states that resume etc. should be submitted to the following email address. The listing did not include any mailing address. Today I received my second fat envelope full of paper in application for the job. I have 3 reactions to this fat envelope. 1. This person does not do well at reading directions. 2. This person does know how to look up addresses. 3. The wastebasket. How would you react? Am I wrong here? Interested in your comments? Also note, that so far I have 20 apps. Connie -- Connie Jo Ozinga Library Director Commerce Township Community Library 180 E. Commerce Commerce, MI 48390 (248) 669-8108 x101 www.commercelibrary.info Raising a reader is: Talking * Singing * Reading * Writing * Playing -- The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments.
Hello Connie: I think that your first reaction was correct. I have a fourth reason: the applicant is not comfortable with, or does not believe in, technology. In any case, I do not believe this person is right for your library. Any such applicant did not follow the submittal directions. If it were my call, I would not accept those applications. Good luck with your search. Phillip Phillip Kwik | Assistant Director Troy Public Library | 510 W. Big Beaver, Troy, MI 48084 | Office: 248.619.7577 | troypl.org <http://www.troypl.org/> [cid:image010.jpg@01CF8BD8.30248410] <https://www.facebook.com/troylib> [cid:image011.jpg@01CF8BD8.30248410] <https://twitter.com/troylib> “We believe a strong community embraces diversity, promotes innovation, and encourages collaboration. We strive to lead by example within the region. We do this because we want everyone to choose Troy as their community for life. We believe in doing government the best.” From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of ConnieJo Ozinga Sent: Monday, June 05, 2017 1:58 PM To: michlib-l@mcls.org Subject: [Michlib-l] About that job posting A few weeks ago I posted a job listing on Michlib and my coop's job board. The listing very clearly states that resume etc. should be submitted to the following email address. The listing did not include any mailing address. Today I received my second fat envelope full of paper in application for the job. I have 3 reactions to this fat envelope. 1. This person does not do well at reading directions. 2. This person does know how to look up addresses. 3. The wastebasket. How would you react? Am I wrong here? Interested in your comments? Also note, that so far I have 20 apps. Connie -- Connie Jo Ozinga Library Director Commerce Township Community Library 180 E. Commerce Commerce, MI 48390 (248) 669-8108 x101 www.commercelibrary.info<http://www.commercelibrary.info> Raising a reader is: Talking * Singing * Reading * Writing * Playing The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments.
Just to play devil’s advocate, perhaps the applicant was given a copy of the job description printed from your website by a friend/relative. If they did not print the posting, but only the job description… So I would still look at the material submitted. If any other red flags appear, or if the applicant does not look to be a top contender, then I would weed them from consideration. BTW the link at the end of your job notice leads to a “Page not found”. James B Lenze, Director Garden City Public Library jamesl@gardencitymi.org From: ConnieJo Ozinga<mailto:cjozinga@commercelibrary.info> Sent: Monday, June 5, 2017 1:59 PM To: michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] About that job posting A few weeks ago I posted a job listing on Michlib and my coop's job board. The listing very clearly states that resume etc. should be submitted to the following email address. The listing did not include any mailing address. Today I received my second fat envelope full of paper in application for the job. I have 3 reactions to this fat envelope. 1. This person does not do well at reading directions. 2. This person does know how to look up addresses. 3. The wastebasket. How would you react? Am I wrong here? Interested in your comments? Also note, that so far I have 20 apps. Connie -- Connie Jo Ozinga Library Director Commerce Township Community Library 180 E. Commerce Commerce, MI 48390 (248) 669-8108 x101 www.commercelibrary.info<http://www.commercelibrary.info> Raising a reader is: Talking * Singing * Reading * Writing * Playing [X] The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments.
While it’s definitely possible (even likely) that the applicant is stupid/confused/lazy, etc., I don’t think I would necessarily draw that conclusion immediately and just toss the application into the garbage. There’s always the chance there could be a “positive” behind oddball behavior like ignoring the explicit instructions in a posting! My thoughts: 1. The whole key to success in applying for jobs (or any other kind of competition) is finding a way to make your effort stand out from the others, and he certainly achieved that! Here we all are, talking about his application. It would be a huge gamble on his part, because most supervisors will probably go with the “I’m throwing it away” response (after all, it makes the job of filtering the apps easier). But maybe the person is a risk-taker, outside-the-box thinker, or questioner of standard practices---all leadership skills. (And if so, he might be testing whether the reaction to his application is going to demonstrate that this is the kind of organization HE’D be comfortable working for.) 2. The person could be “confused” in a good way…….many geniuses walk into walls because their minds are on bigger things. This might not necessarily be a positive trait in all situations, but if true it would certainly make the person someone worth considering. 3. It’s also just possible that the applicant has a decent reason for not wanting his resume submitted electronically, or is experiencing a problem with his email account, or (I’ve done this!) wanted to submit it in multiple formats just to make sure it arrived. In short I guess I’d say the suggestion is strong that the person is clueless and won’t make it, but I would definitely take a minute to open the fat envelope to see if it contains anything that could suggest a spark. If it doesn’t, the wastebasket is always there. But I might not be able to resist the urge to at least ask the guy why he did things that way, if for no other reason than that the answer would be interesting, whatever it is. In any case I don’t think I’d be annoyed. Insisting that strict adherence to convention is the only reasonable way to manage things will tend to result in manageable (but conventional) results. Just one opinion….. Anne Marie Anne Marie Bedard Senior Librarian – Circulation Services Interlibrary Loan/Reference Librarian St. Clair County Library 210 McMorran Blvd. Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 987-7323 x 143 From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of ConnieJo Ozinga Sent: Monday, June 5, 2017 1:58 PM To: michlib-l@mcls.org Subject: [Michlib-l] About that job posting A few weeks ago I posted a job listing on Michlib and my coop's job board. The listing very clearly states that resume etc. should be submitted to the following email address. The listing did not include any mailing address. Today I received my second fat envelope full of paper in application for the job. I have 3 reactions to this fat envelope. 1. This person does not do well at reading directions. 2. This person does know how to look up addresses. 3. The wastebasket. How would you react? Am I wrong here? Interested in your comments? Also note, that so far I have 20 apps. Connie -- Connie Jo Ozinga Library Director Commerce Township Community Library 180 E. Commerce Commerce, MI 48390 (248) 669-8108 x101 www.commercelibrary.info<http://www.commercelibrary.info> Raising a reader is: Talking * Singing * Reading * Writing * Playing The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments.
I can't help but wonder if they may have received advice from someone older that still does things the old school way. That person may have told them that it would be beneficial to send their application in the mail instead of emailing it. Just a thought... Irene Berrien Springs Community Library
On June 6, 2017 at 3:34 PM "Bedard, Anne Marie via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
While it’s definitely possible (even likely) that the applicant is stupid/confused/lazy, etc., I don’t think I would necessarily draw that conclusion immediately and just toss the application into the garbage. There’s always the chance there could be a “positive” behind oddball behavior like ignoring the explicit instructions in a posting! My thoughts:
1. The whole key to success in applying for jobs (or any other kind of competition) is finding a way to make your effort stand out from the others, and he certainly achieved that! Here we all are, talking about his application. It would be a huge gamble on his part, because most supervisors will probably go with the “I’m throwing it away” response (after all, it makes the job of filtering the apps easier). But maybe the person is a risk-taker, outside-the-box thinker, or questioner of standard practices---all leadership skills. (And if so, he might be testing whether the reaction to his application is going to demonstrate that this is the kind of organization HE’D be comfortable working for.)
2. The person could be “confused” in a good way…….many geniuses walk into walls because their minds are on bigger things. This might not necessarily be a positive trait in all situations, but if true it would certainly make the person someone worth considering.
3. It’s also just possible that the applicant has a decent reason for not wanting his resume submitted electronically, or is experiencing a problem with his email account, or (I’ve done this!) wanted to submit it in multiple formats just to make sure it arrived.
In short I guess I’d say the suggestion is strong that the person is clueless and won’t make it, but I would definitely take a minute to open the fat envelope to see if it contains anything that could suggest a spark. If it doesn’t, the wastebasket is always there. But I might not be able to resist the urge to at least ask the guy why he did things that way, if for no other reason than that the answer would be interesting, whatever it is. In any case I don’t think I’d be annoyed. Insisting that strict adherence to convention is the only reasonable way to manage things will tend to result in manageable (but conventional) results.
Just one opinion…..
Anne Marie
Anne Marie Bedard
Senior Librarian – Circulation Services
Interlibrary Loan/Reference Librarian
St. Clair County Library
210 McMorran Blvd.
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810) 987-7323 x 143
From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of ConnieJo Ozinga Sent: Monday, June 5, 2017 1:58 PM To: michlib-l@mcls.org Subject: [Michlib-l] About that job posting
A few weeks ago I posted a job listing on Michlib and my coop's job board. The listing very clearly states that resume etc. should be submitted to the following email address. The listing did not include any mailing address. Today I received my second fat envelope full of paper in application for the job.
I have 3 reactions to this fat envelope.
1. This person does not do well at reading directions.
2. This person does know how to look up addresses.
3. The wastebasket.
How would you react? Am I wrong here? Interested in your comments? Also note, that so far I have 20 apps.
Connie
--
Connie Jo Ozinga Library Director Commerce Township Community Library
180 E. Commerce
Commerce, MI 48390 (248) 669-8108 x101 www.commercelibrary.info http://www.commercelibrary.info
Raising a reader is: Talking * Singing * Reading * Writing * Playing
The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments.
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participants (5)
-
Bedard, Anne Marie -
BERRIEN SPRINGS LIBRARY -
ConnieJo Ozinga -
James Lenze -
Phillip J Kwik