interns!
Dear applicants for an internship (whereever),
pls allow me to provide the following advice on improving your applications:
When applying for an internship or a job, pls make sure to include a letter which explains why you want to work with Acme Inc. and why you think you are qualified for the position.
Pls format* your CV & letter in an eye-friendly way, e.g.:
- one font
- clear structure
- no typos
- save as PDF
I may be a bit too German aka the “grammar nazi” aka following a certain norm on this, but then: there sure is a reason why ppl sometimes are refused a position.
In other words: what’s the use of employing someone who even has a PhD in something if he/she can’t even write a proper business letter or follow simple formatting guidelines?
I have really come to appreciate formatting norms and – while you won’t have to use progs like LaTeX & Co to ueberformat your work – i’d really appreciate if ppl just stop this *copy & paste culture* and start preparing their work in an easy-to-read format.
I will also have to improve my own style, so I do not exclude myself from this mwalimu mkuu wisdom.
(* = you won’t have to be a design student or Apple user or even coder to understand this simple guideline. If in doubt, pls use a template!)
28. July, 2008 at 17:43
“One font” – that made me laugh… :)
29. July, 2008 at 21:55
K1, what’s the backstory? Why the grumblings about C.V. of today’s Privileged Generation? BTW you are not alone!
May I recommend another PDF creator (printer):
PrimoPDF
30. July, 2008 at 00:25
Backstory: I am the guy who receives those CVs at work and forwards them to my boss. My boss then asks me: what do you think about this application, JKE? And I reply: They suck. These ppl may know something about our work, but they a) lack any imagination on how to apply in a proper way (= their chance), b) apparently don’t really care (in case of doubt, there’s Google), c) can’t be given any *peculiar* task which requires some amounts of 1. dilligence, 2. accuracy and 3. political sensitivity for a proper wording.
In other words: someone who can’t even put it in simple words why he/she is qualified for a certain position, shouldnt apply.
I know this sounds arrogant, sorry.
30. July, 2008 at 17:28
It doesn’t sound arrogant at all.
It’s just the “Generation SMS” which doesn’t understand the difference between writing business letters and chatting with friends.
Simple logic:
If somebody doesn’t deem it important enough to be written properly, then it’s probably not worth reading either.