your advise on rejection letters please

mlz1413

I wanted to ask for your opinions on rejection letters - this is from the employer to the job seeker.

I work for a small company and when we advertise a job we ask for a CV with covering letter containing notice period and required salary, but so many replies do not contain that information or anything covering the request.

I always want to say to job seekers your CV didn't get through because your covering letter didn't contain the information specifically requested. But is this something that just shouldn't be said? Are standard no letters better?

Any views would be appreciated!

suicidebob

mlz1413 wrote: »

because your covering letter didn't contain the information specifically requested.

Nothing wrong with this, as long as you have the time to tailor the covering letter to each applicant / group of applicants

wuckfit

To be honest, as a potential employee, I'd see your requirement as an attempt to get someone 'on the cheap', rather than the best candidate. I'd also think that you'd be using the salary requirement as a selection criteria.

Also, the complete package is important to many people. some people might be willing to sacrifice some salary for more attractive aspects, such as flexible working, an extra couple of days holiday, that sort of thing.

I'd certainly not be looking to talk salary until the end of an interview. Any employer that wants salary expections up front puts me off.

heretolearn_2

It's entirely up to you what information you request and how you shortlist for interview. Some candidates might not like discussing salary early, but that's tough. We sometimes ask for salary expectations up front, for all sorts of reasons not related to just wanting the cheapest possible employee, and if good candidates who would otherwise be shortlisted haven't given that info, I call them. We only want a rough idea, if they'll tell me, fine they get the interview. If they refuse, tough, they are out.

But I think it's best to avoid going into too much detail in rejection letters, to be honest.

Sambucus_Nigra

The question should really be; do YOU not take people's application's forward because they don't have that information on the covering letter? As I prefer to discuss money with the recruiting manager and notice is flexible if you work it that way.

Why does having this information help you make a decision on the PERSON which is ultimately what you are looking for?

DCFC79

Why is salary required asked for, that should be something that should asked at interview

dickydonkin

DCFC79 wrote: »

Why is required asked for, that should be something that should asked at interview

My thoughts as well.

The requests seem totally irelevant to the position and are really formalities to be discussed if and when an application has progressed.

I suspect such a method of sifting has allowed many good candidates to slip through the net.

mlz1413

thanks for the replies.

The notice period is asked for as we are on a tight deadline and so wanted to use this within the selection critaria but it would not be a high priority just used if lots of choice.

The salary requirement is so we don't interview someone great who we just can't afford, it may look like a ploy to get the cheapest person in but it isn't.

Wuckfit - My personal opinion is if you can't be bothered to address the request, ie by putting something like 'I look forward to discussing salary details with you at interview', then your attention to details is limited.

S Nigra - this is my quandary if the CV is good and the covering letter is bad is that a sign the person will be hard to teach? as in they don't read things to the end or they can't be bothered with details or is it just how people apply for jobs.

An Example is below:
Hi
can you please have a look at my Cv for above role

I felt like emailing straight back saying NO WAY!

The sins as I see them: 1)You don't address a covering letter with Hi, 2) you should have a capital on 'can', 3) CV is not Cv and 4) you haven't bothered giving your notice period or salary requirements either. 5) no full stop at the end. Making 5 errors in 13 words is a pretty poor application to my mind!

DCFC79

mlz1413 wrote: »

thanks for the replies.

The notice period is asked for as we are on a tight deadline and so wanted to use this within the selection critaria but it would not be a high priority just used if lots of choice.

The salary requirement is so we don't interview someone great who we just can't afford, it may look like a ploy to get the cheapest person in but it isn't.

Wuckfit - My personal opinion is if you can't be bothered to address the request, ie by putting something like 'I look forward to discussing salary details with you at interview', then your attention to details is limited.

S Nigra - this is my quandary if the CV is good and the covering letter is bad is that a sign the person will be hard to teach? as in they don't read things to the end or they can't be bothered with details or is it just how people apply for jobs.

An Example is below:
Hi
can you please have a look at my Cv for above role

I felt like emailing straight back saying NO WAY!

The sins as I see them: 1)You don't address a covering letter with Hi, 2) you should have a capital on 'can', 3) CV is not Cv and 4) you haven't bothered giving your notice period or salary requirements either. 5) no full stop at the end. Making 5 errors in 13 words is a pretty poor application to my mind!

Just say something like

After careful consideration, we have decided not to take your application forward. After considering all of the applicants, we felt that other candidates more closely matched the requirements of the role.
Thank you for expressing an interest in this opportunity with XXXXX and we would like to wish you every success for the future.
Yours sincerely

wuckfit

mlz1413 wrote: »

Wuckfit - My personal opinion is if you can't be bothered to address the request, ie by putting something like 'I look forward to discussing salary details with you at interview', then your attention to details is limited.

That's a fair point, However what's to say that a response like that isn't just as likely to result in being added to the rejection pile as one that avoids talking salary?

If you're really wanting to judge on attention to detail, you'd be better asking for reasons why candidates want to work for your firm, and having a selection of facts about the company on the 'About Us' section of your website. That way you can see which candidates are doing their research into the bargain.

Sambucus_Nigra

mlz1413 wrote: »

S Nigra - this is my quandary if the CV is good and the covering letter is bad is that a sign the person will be hard to teach? as in they don't read things to the end or they can't be bothered with details or is it just how people apply for jobs.

If you give salary details and potential start date in your ad, then you automatically filter out those that won't meet your requirements.

eg Salary circa £25k, and expected start date 1st August. Interviews will be held on 15th June @ [insert location] and travel expenses will not be reimbursed.

The above implies one month's notice if the job is offered within a few days of interview - and the start date can be renegotiated if someone excellent comes along that you want but who needs extra time to get out of a contract.

ETA: your comments look a bit picky - you are after a person not an automaton.