I receive at least five resumes every week seeking jobs and placement for internship. However, finding one good candidate among them is the most difficult task. Increasingly, I feel graduates these days have the slightest idea about resume writing and applying for a job.
These are some of the things that get to my nerve when reading their emails:
1. Almost all emails are written using SMS lingo with no proper salutations. You can hardly find one full sentence.
2. Some take the liberty to write on behalf of their fiancés and friends. I interpret it as the person is not serious and takes no initiative in looking for a job.
3. Hardly any candidate sends a cover letter. It is difficult to judge a person with just all those bullet points. Whoever told these graduates that cover letter is a thing of the past.
4. Most don’t do their homework before preparing their resumes. I had an application from a top student from a local university who said his skills in laboratory techniques and equipments will help him to serve MABIC well. Didn’t he check MABIC website before sending the application? We don’t do research!
5. Once I called a candidate to fix an interview appointment. Two days before the interview, she called to say she will not be able to make it. And guess what the reason is: she has to meet her friend! She asked for another appointment and obviously I did not entertain that request.
6. There was another time when I called a candidate who has sent his application to MABIC to fix an appointment and the conversation went like this:
MABIC: Hello.
Candidate: Ah?
MABIC: Good morning. Is the XXXX?
Candidate: Ah.
MABIC: I am calling from MABIC and I received your application for the position of XXXX.
Candidate: Ah.
MABIC: Are you still interested in the position?
Candidate: Ahhhhh..... Taklah kot... tapi.... (ahhhhh.... maybe not.... but....)
MABIC: Oh, it is okay. Thank you.
His telephone etiquette simply beats me. I remember when I was applying for jobs, every phone call is attended to with full of anticipation, thinking it could be from one of my potential employers.
7. Finally need I say the level of the graduates’ English proficiency? You can hardly find someone who can write and speak well in the language. The standard of English among graduates really worries me.
These are just a few points. I have yet to discuss their general knowledge, attitude towards work, knowledge on current issues, etc. Where are we leading to? What is wrong with our education system? I rest my case.
By Mahaletchumy Arujanan
