Hiring for a Job

September 24, 2004 8:16 AM

JobFilter: There are plenty of online resources for those seeking a job, e.g. resume tips and example cover letters. However, I can't seem to find any examples that would be useful for the person on the other end...

I've found myself in a management position, and now I need to hire people! I think I came up with a pretty good canned response for all the resumes I received, but now I'm ready to invite people in for an interview. I've bashed out a few drafts, but the correct mix of friendliness and formality continues to elude me. Where can I get tips on writing this sort of stuff?

posted by Eamon to work & money (3 comments total)

[shill]
We haven't done any stories specifically like what you are requesting, but AppleOne's Staffing Success newsletter is designed to be a resource for "the person on the other end". You'll probably find some useful stuff in there.

I'm looking for a story idea for next month anyway, so I might have one of my writers try to address your specific question. I doubt it will publish in time for you though.
[/shill]

My response is typically short and to the point. Most recently "Thank you for applying for our position for an Entry Level Marketing Coordinator. I believe that based on your resume, I would like to meet with you. Are you available anytime on Friday?"

If writing is tough, you might want to give them a call. You'll probably find yourself being more personable on the phone (unless you're as anti-social as I tend to come off), and as a bonus you get to hear the breathless joy in their voice when they realize they're being invited in for an interview.
posted by willnot at 9:10 AM on September 24, 2004

SHRM may have what you're looking for.
posted by mkultra at 9:30 AM on September 24, 2004

Thanks guys, those links should prove useful in the future.

I went ahead and made phone calls... but wound up leaving messages at most numbers. The first couple messages were kinda rough (I hope I didn't blow my chances with any good candidates), but by the time I was done, I found myself reciting something that would've made a fairly polished interview invitation. D'oh.
posted by Eamon at 11:02 AM on September 24, 2004