I was so disheartened with the job application I encountered yesterday (see the blog post from yesterday) that it propelled me to relay my thoughts to their human resources department. I realize that by doing so, it has automatically defaulted any chances of being considered for the role...any role for that matter, with that particular organization.
As if I'm distraught over it. Or even care.
As I've stated earlier, with plenty of professional references and a healthy and extensive set of credentials, I'm really not too concerned what the HR folks think of me. More often than not, someone's initial reaction of me is way off base. For example, I look every bit Latino. I have olive skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. The truth is, I don't have an ounce of Latino blood in me. My point is, if people are quick to make inaccurate assumptions over my nationality, how can I possibly ever to expect them to know what kind of work ethic I have, or what kind of a team player I am, and/or whether or not I am capable to handle all the primary tasks a particular job description lists?
Back to the letter....having said all that, I have decided to write a letter to relay my thoughts on their application and pre-employment screening process. One of the very many reasons I wrote this is because I keep getting the uneasy feeling that employers/hiring authorities enjoy watching job applicants jump through all sorts of hurdles by implementing various requests, some that make sense, some that don't. And since employers are well aware how constricted the job market is, they have the power to instill any kind of criteria they want, because they know job applicants will conform to them without question, just for a chance of getting a job. While all I am saying may be way off base, but by reading the job application procedure, it sure the hell seems that way, and I feel I have every right to question it.
Enclosed is the actual e-mail I sent to their human resources department:
"To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in regard to the job posting for Executive Administrative Secretary with your organization. I have not attached a resume and the application, but rather, I wanted to relay my thoughts on why I have recanted my consideration to apply for this role.
I have reviewed the job description in its entirety. I have also reviewed the job application, which has only left more questions to ponder in terms of why I would even consider your organization as a prospective employer. First, no job applicant should EVER be denied being considered for the position simply because they did not e-mail their resume and application. 15 million people in the United States are unemployed, and I'm willing to bet there are a good percentage of those that don't even have a computer, much less e-mail. Secondly, no job applicant should ever be denied the opportunity for an interview simply because they opted to leave the social security number field blank. According to the authoritarian instructions on the application, it states, "Leaving any question/section blank may disqualify applicant from consideration of employment." Despite privacy, state, and federal laws, no one should be privy to release such confidential information, especially since this is all being handled electronically. That doesn't stop anyone who maliciously hacks into a database and steals such fragile and confident information. Since you so adamantly request electronic submissions only, can you assure the job applicant that this will not happen?
Third, as I scroll towards the bottom of the job application, I noticed the bulleted items for the pre-employment screening. Granted, I understand the need for some of them. Given the nature of the organization and the job details, I completely understand the need for such items such as the background/criminal check and the skill competency test. However, there are others that made me question this organization's dubious need to further scrutinize the job applicant, such as:
Physical Agility Test: This provides no information to the job applicant as far as what this is and how it relates to the job.
Driver Abstract Check: See above. I fail to comprehend how this relates to the role of Executive Secretary, unless I somehow overlooked the part where I would be needing a vehicle to run the daily morning coffee errand.
The most questionable one of all:
Career Ethnic Inventory: Again, this provides no information for the job applicant as far as what this is and/or what this entails. At first glance this denotes something of discriminatory nature. As far as the employer is concerned, this is necessary in order the candidate to be a perfect fit for the demographics of the organization. The organization of course will say this is not the case, but as far as the keen job seeker is concerned, there's more to it than what meets the eye.
Other as deemed necessary by (Organization name omitted): At this point, this is where I feel like you're about to ask me for my firstborn.
In today's fragile economy and a cohesive job market, I understand the need to propose some sort of conditional application procedure to weed out applicants who do not meet the criteria. On the contrary, job applicants shouldn't be open to such scrutiny. This is especially true when we do not know if we are seriously being considered for the job or if the employer is just going to award the job to someone within their organization.
To summarize, I sincerely hope that some of the authoritarian requests be lifted from the application process. You might think you will find the most suitable, "ethnically fit" candidate for this role, but I firmly believe EXCELLENT and qualified candidates will be overlooked with this process. I would hate to think that those applicants who DO subject themselves to your application process, may only be doing so out of desperation. As you can tell, I am not one of them.
This is one of the very many reasons why people are having such a hard time looking for employment, and what an ultimate shame. Good luck with your search.
With love,
JLS"
Oh yes. YES I DID. It was snarky, yes. It exudes the fact that I am a rebel, a troublemaker, opinionated, a free-thinker. All these are elements that HR work against on behalf of their employer, because this loud group poses a danger in our society. These are all elements that employers loathe, period. Employers love robots. But I am NOT a robot, and I WILL question you and your motives if I notice something highly out of the ordinary.
I do not want to end this post without reporting that I did get a response from this employer. Surprise, surprise, it's an automated response:
Your message/information has been received.... Thank you for your interest in our Administrative/Executive Secretary Position. If you have not sent the required application form, it and the position description can be downloaded from our website.... As you might imagine, given the current job market, we anticipate receiving 100+ applications for this position, and we regret we cannot respond personally to each inquiry/application. Your information will be reviewed carefully and you will be contacted by October 28 if we need additional information or wish to schedule an interview. Thank you for your interest....
I look forward to hearing from them.
