Friday anecdotes and the saga continues. This week I thought I would bring you up to speed on this post – Anecdote – Online Dating? I have received the following 2 emails from him since the first post. Please take note of the very similar writing styles in all 6 of the emails. I received this email just a week after the first one. I have procen track record in sales to C-level, HR Managers, VP, etc Proven track record in extended sales cycles Please contact me! Travel is not a problem. Best Regards I then received this one over the Labor Day Weekend. Lee…I have proven experience in sales…and… Read More
Continue ReadingAnecdote – Communications Major?
Is it Labor Day weekend yet? Let’s go with an anecdote for now. I received this email with only a resume attached for a position that was advertised on Monster. In the ad, candidates were asked if interested to call or email Lee. Our client needed a salesperson with excellent communication skills. Their sales cycle is 1-2 years and it is a complex sale requiring formal written and verbal presentations to multiple people. Here is what I received in my inbox: Lee- I am a Communications Major with more that 10 years experience. I am sending a cover letter and resume for your consideration to fill this position. Please contact… Read More
Continue ReadingAnecdote – Why Ask?
Friday and time for another anecdote as the week winds down. A while back, I was working with one of our clients who has a fairly complex sale in which they offer a high-end solution. Budget is one of the first qualifying questions in their sales process so we mirror that process in our sourcing. We ask candidates, “At what point do you qualify a prospect’s budget in your current sale?” As I talked with each candidate, I asked them this question to see if they could discuss this topic and how they handled customers who were reluctant to share their budget. Most of the candidates did well with this… Read More
Continue ReadingAnecdote – Is that your final answer?
Late on a Friday and we need some levity so it is anecdote time. The set up – I am conducting a phone interview for a consultative service company where excellent listening and verbal skills are required. After asking a candidate (that was doing quite well) some preliminary questions about their general experience, I started asking more sales process-oriented questions. My first sales-specific question was “What is your typical length for one sales cycle?” His response, “I have been in this industry for almost 6 years but looking to make a change.” I was utterly baffled. I apologized to the candidate and mentioned that my question was not clear and… Read More
Continue ReadingAnecdote – Online Dating?
This is the creepiest anecdote I have posted, but I think you will laugh. Recent responses to an ad led to 4 email from the same person. So being the inquisitive person that I am, I opened the emails and read through them. What I read was shocking to say the least – I will share with you what I can. The first email read: I am a plump sweatie . . . sorry . . . but working on that . .I used to be just tall and burly I am 6’1 I cannot share the last line. Then the second email came in just 1 minute later and… Read More
Continue ReadingCover Emails with Attitude
It’s Monday and I’m calling this an anecdote. More fun from the general resume email. This gentleman’s cover email (seems archaic to say cover “letter”) ends with this paragraph: I am a proven closer of large ticket, high margin services. I am a rare-rare breed. If you have a real opportunity, lets talk. If your a recruiter, I will not talk to you unless you can be specific about a REAL opportunity. I laugh every time I read it. The guy is also asking for a minimum base salary of $120K with a commission plan that will match the salary. Is there any greater turn off than unbridled arrogance?
Continue ReadingAnecdote – Well, Lee
Friday, so let’s go to the anecdotes. I had a unique candidate call while conducting phone screens this past week. I talked to a candidate who said my name a thousand times if he said it once. I know, sounds silly, but after a couple questions into the interview, I was worn out from hearing my name so frequently. Let me give you an example from our discussion: “Well, Lee that’s a great question and I wished I could say that I have a quick response for you, Lee, but I need to think about that question for a moment.” With hardly a pause he continued, “Lee, I would say… Read More
Continue ReadingA Pleading Cover Letter
This is a new approach for a cover letter: …please someone help me before im living under a bridge. I personally think it is wiser to explain how you, as an employee, will help the company. But that’s just me.
Continue ReadingPromo Responses to Job Postings
One of the peculiar facets of Internet job boards is that you receive interest from around the world. That fact has its good and its bad. This would be the bad side of it: Meanwhile I am highly & hugely trying at my best efforts to post for this vacancy with heavily long-desired rayhopes that based on my supreme graymatters plusing with my well-accumulated experiences in working for several foreign-based firms as well as projects, & I have accrued a lot of skills or so specialization in various matters & manners…I make risks to submit for the aforesaid post with long-desired hopes that you will see through my sensitively &… Read More
Continue ReadingEmail Subject Lines That Hurt
I thought I would start your Monday with some levity. This is from the general resume pile and is serious, from what I can tell: I am the GREATEST Tele Sales GURU on the planet. Again, some times you do not need an assessment.
Continue Reading