For my full time job, I am hiring for 3 digital product managers to lead different aspects of end to end digital migration for our legacy private banking clients. I wrote this post on Linkedin with some high level descriptions and asked those interested to DM me for a detailed job description.
A Real Example Of a Direct Message I Received
Below is a real message I received from a candidate interested in my posting. I want to share it with you to help you avoid making the same fatal mistakes she made with her first communication to me, the hiring manager.
Hi Lei, I hope you’re well. I noticed your post that you’re hiring and would like to discuss more if you think it’s a good match for my background (particularly for the authentication role). I’ve enclosed my resume.
What’s Wrong with this Simple Message
I see this kind of messages often and am surprised so many candidates send similar messages. Before you read any further, what mistakes do you think this person made? Add your guesses in the comments below.
Perhaps you already know the answer instinctively. If so, great. I am glad you are thoughtful in your job search communication. If you are stumped, then read the three sentences above again and place yourself in my shoes as the hiring manager. Why would I not want to talk further with this person? And if you are saying, I don’t see anything wrong, you are not alone. However you are also not helping yourself. I hope you will better understand why after reading the rest of this article.
Mistake #1 – Demonstrated She is Not Interested in This Role
I was clear in my post to DM me for the detailed job description. She didn’t ask for it at all. That makes me think she doesn’t has any interest in THIS particular job. She is just in general hoping to find a job.
Mistake #2 – Delegated Work to Me
In a single phrase, “if you think it’s a good match for my background, “she delegated her job search work to me. Now she is asking me to help her compare her resume to what I am looking for. What hiring manager would want to do that? If she is this needy now and cannot have the foresight to own this work, she will definitely NOT be able to fully own the work of the role.
Mistake #3 – Demonstrated Her Limited Qualifications
In her message she referred to my roles with very little understanding or care by saying “particularly for the authentication role.” I am not hiring for an authentication role. I am hiring an user/admin role to migrate users successfully in all aspects of their login, security, transactions, statements, alerts, etc…
Authentication is just one aspect of the user/admin role. Again, she is clearly just hoping to find a job.
What is the Lesson Here?
This kind of communication has both short term and long term negative impacts on the sender. Not only did she clearly demonstrated she is NOT qualified for these roles I have, but she is likely not qualified for any future roles that I know about within my network. I hope you won’t make the same mistake.
Think before you write the hiring manager. Follow direction and ask for the detailed job description first. Know why you want this particular job. It’s your job to communicate to the hiring manager why you may a great fit for the role. When you have a chance to communicate directly to the hiring manager, don’t waste it! Best wishes to your job search
Y0ur Comments: What do you think of this communication example? I look forward to your questions and comments.
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Lei