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July 12, 2009
"Help! I recently submitted my resume for an editorial assistant position.
They called me for an interview, and then had me complete a proofreading assessment.
The managing editor e-mailed me back that I'd missed seven corrections (the limit is six). He said this would be the end of the interview process.
I was stunned, and I e-mailed him saying I wanted to learn from any mistakes I made so that I would not make them again, and would he please point out the mistakes I'd made. That was a few days ago, and I haven't heard from him. What should I do? I feel I'm very well qualified for this job, and I really wanted to work for these people.
Thanks, Claudia."
This is a letter I received from a job hunter recently. Job searching can feel like a heart-stopping roller coaster ride: One second you're moving toward a peak of excitement, and the next you're dashed to stomach-sinking depths. To make it even worse, most of it feels out of your control.
Here's what I recommended to Claudia:
Employers, especially now, are swamped with applicants. Evaluating resumes, screening candidates and hiring a new employee are hugely time consuming. Since the hiring manager already e-mailed you that you were no longer being considered, he might feel no need to follow up with you further.
If you're truly interested in working for this company one day, wait a month or so to reply, when the frenzy of the hiring process has passed.
Inform the hiring manager of steps you're taking to improve your proofreading skills, as in: "Dear Sir, Last month, I applied and was interviewed for an editorial assistant position within your company.
Because of my results on the proofreading assessment, I wasn't selected for the next step in your process. However, I'm highly interested in your company and have since taken an advanced editing class to improve my skills. When another opening becomes available, I hope you'll consider me again."
For now, though, chalk this opening up to an exciting ride, and get in line for the next.
Katy Piotrowski, M.Ed., is the author of "The Career Coward's Guides" and provides career and job-search support with Career Solutions Group in Fort Collins. She can be emailed at katy@careersolutionsgroup.net.
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