Job Search Tip: "There's Opportunity in Rejection."

ATLANTA, GA - A disgruntled job seeker sent this [unedited] email to my ecommerce client's HR department:

To: jobs@MyClient.com
From: Joe Blow
Subject: Re: Thanks for applying to MyClient.com
Date: Monday, March 1, 2009, 12:20 PM

Dear [My Client],

Please REMOVE me from your database.  Please remove my resume from your company data-base.  I do not want to be contacted by your company again - you obvious have no clue what you are doing!

I wish you luck on finding a Marketing Manager with more experience.  It seems you have been looking for a qualified candidate for some time now. I've seen your job posted for several years off & on.  Good Luck on finding someone willing to relocate to [My Client's small town].

BTW, it was YOUR COMPANY who originally contacted me and scheduled an interview for me to meet with your team in November, only to cancel it, and then provide me with conflicting information regarding this position.  I never heard from him again.

I repeat - it was you guys who contacted me about this position not the other way around.  Your organization demonstrates poor judgement, and lacks professionalism. My experience in dealing with your Human Resource dept. is by far the most un-professional experience I have ever encountered in more than 15 years as an INTERNET MARKETING EXECUTIVE.

Good Luck with your business.

Regards,
Joe

Friends, I understand completely how dehumanizing a marketing job search can be, but this kind of email can only come back to haunt the sender.  Believe it or not, the HR managers in your industry know each other, and you can bet your life that emails like this get laughed at -- then emailed around.

Additionally, many catalog brands, online retailers, interactive agencies, and technology start-ups are owned by a single holding company or investment firm, so when you kill your chances with one HR team -- you automatically kill your chances with their parent company.

At a minimum, the email will get filed under your name in the client's applicant tracking system, and you will be tagged as a jerk long after the HR manager has been eliminated in the next round of job cuts.  And you can count on her remembering you where ever she goes ...

But there's good news:  If you are a good sport about the hiring process, there's a potential benefit in that, too.  Being civil and helpful to HR managers and marketing recruiters spreads good karma, and people want to be nice to nice people.  Really.  It happens all the time.

So the next time you get rejected, send the HR manager an email saying ...

"Thanks for your rejection.  I'm so sorry things didn't work out.  I love your brands and I am a regular customer both online and off.  If your situation changes and you see an appropriate ecommerce role for me on either a full-time or part-time bases, please let me know.

Also, you might want to contact Mary Smith at (212) 555-9874 and Mike Johnson at (212) 555-1254 about your ecommerce job.  Based on your feedback to me, either of them would be perfect for the job -- and I believe that both of them are open to new opportunities.  Please tell them I referred you!

While I have you, might you know anyone who could use someone with my online marketing skills?  The current job environment is brutal, and I would greatly appreciate any leads you can provide.

Thanks for your kind response,
Joe

YOUR MOTHER WAS RIGHT: You can catch more flies with honey.

Comments

[Ted Grigg]

I agree with you in principle Harry.

But to be honest, if half of what the disgruntled job seeker wrote was true, then it is doubtful they would even read the courteous letter you suggested.

I would not spend any more time with them. There are just too many other options out there to waste energy on these types of organizations.

[Maureen McCann]

Great post identifying the importance of building a true relationship with your recruiter. Even after being rejected, it is so important to maintain the relationship.

Love that you advised client to recommend other good matches, and at the same time - ASK for a new connection to a potential employer. Brilliant!
- Maureen

[Recruiting Animal]

I love this posting.

[Victor]

I don't agree that people should not provide criticism when needed. The criticism should be taken constructively by your client. The company in question seems to have behaved unprofessionally.

V

[Daniel Durazo]

Great post on how NOT to burn bridges, thanks!

I thought you might be interested in knowing that we've started a new show at SmallPlateRadio.com called Job Search Radio. Each Monday at 1pm eastern (11am pacific), we feature guests who are experts in the art and science of finding a job. Listen live and participate by submitting questions or download the podcast for listening later or on the go.

www.smallplateradio.com/014/