How not to apply for a job

Okay I am on a roll with this Posterous thingy.

Today my rant is about email applications. I understand that there are many out there that are a bit desperate to get a job but perhaps before you press that send button, think about who you're sending it to and what you're sending them.

I get flooded with CVs and here is why I delete most of them.

• The ones that apply for "any job available" - it tells me that you don't know what you want in life and you're interested only in a job, not a career. Its a shot in the dark. Mine is a small business and every team member counts. I don't want short term employees that are lured away easily or have no focus
• The ones that are not relevant and have nothing to do with my industry - If you found my email address, then you at least went to my web site or found it on the Internet somewhere. Why don't you spend a teeny weeny time to see what I do before you hit the send button. What am I going to do with IT guys and software techs?
• The ones that don't bother with any information in the covering email or mass mail (obviously i.e not using the BCC) - You're sending a CV to someone in communications industry - communicate. Tell me who you are. If you can't be bothered neither can I. Oh and adding my name to a list of others in the "to" section isn't earning you any brownie points either.

While I don't have any jobs going right away, when I do receive a decent CV or a well thought out email, I take the time to at least send a message thanking them.

Posted via email from mitauae's posterous

Dismissing Twitter

I originally posted this on my blog - Mitas Rambling but thought I'd share it here.

At the Festival, Jessica Swann of Dubai Today (@JessicaSwann) mentioned that Kate Adie during one of the sessions completely rejected Twitter, calling it a craze. Now, I'm not saying that every one has to be on Twitter (though I know that some people would really enjoy the banter and the discussion and the camaraderie we enjoy here in the UAE Twitter community), but I do not understand how intelligent people like Kate Adie, who rely on a readership and fan base, can be completely dismissive of something that has the power to extend their reach further.

Most people have been trying to dismiss the social media wave as just another craze but it has moved so far beyond that. Here in the UAE at least, we benefit a lot more from Twitter. Sonia (@fanofamd) observed that because we are an expatriate-driven community, Twitter allows us to share our opinions honestly with like-minded people. I agree with her. For someone who has lived here more than 20 years, it has broken cross cultural barriers like nothing has been able to before. I have more Emirati friends now than I did before. I do not see colour or creed when I go to a tweet up or wonder what their nationalities are or how old they are – all that matters is that we share common interests.

Its my support system. Anything I want to know – I throw it out there and the Community give me my answers.

So I ask again, why would you dismiss something without really trying it?

Posted via email from mitauae's posterous

Posting my email

Why did someone not show me how easy it is to post something on Posterous before? Posting by email is such a snip and I am thoroughly enjoying this. So be prepared for a lot of silly stuff too.

Posted via email from mitauae's posterous

When religion lets you down

I think religion is personal and none of anyone’s business. But sometimes this is flaunted as an excuse to not do a job, or not hire someone or many other reasons. I wonder what religion says about letting others down? Or judging others just because they are different?

Recently at work, we employed some students (part time) to work on a campaign and one of them was a bit worried because he was religious and would need time for his prayers etc. We had no problem as long as the job got done. He was enthusiastic and switched on. But he left a week later citing religious reasons – he could not work in an office where women worked.

Very disappointing since he knew what he was getting into. Now we have to go back to the drawing board in the middle of our campaign and explain to our clients why we are a little bit behind. I wonder what his religion says about responsibility of not letting us down at such short notice.

Posted via email from mitauae's posterous

When religion lets you down

I think religion is personal and none of anyone’s business. But sometimes this is flaunted as an excuse to not do a job, or not hire someone or many other reasons. I wonder what religion says about letting others down? Or judging others just because they are different?

Recently at work, we employed some students (part time) to work on a campaign and one of them was a bit worried because he was religious and would need time for his prayers etc. We had no problem as long as the job got done. He was enthusiastic and switched on. But he left a week later citing religious reasons – he could not work in an office where women worked.

Very disappointing since he knew what he was getting into. Now we have to go back to the drawing board in the middle of our campaign and explain to our clients why we are a little bit behind. I wonder what his religion says about responsibility of not letting us down at such short notice.

New year resolutions & Twitter

I hate them. I usually never make any. I thought I'd do one this year for a change. And in true New Year resolution traditions promptly forgot to keep it. My one resolution was to update my blog at least once a week. So 10 weeks later – decided I needed to keep my promise to myself.

Moving swiftly on, last week's Emirates Literature Festival and some of the comments and discussions raised a question in my head. How can rational and intelligent people completely diss an idea without even trying it? And I don't mean just trying it for a day or two but really trying it.

At the Festival, Jessica Swann of Dubai Today radio fame (@JessicaSwann for the Twitterati) mentioned that Kate Adie completely rejected Twitter, calling it a craze. Now, I'm not saying that every one has to be on Twitter (though I know that some people would really enjoy the banter and the discussion and the camaraderie we enjoy here in the UAE Twitter community), but I do not understand how intelligent people like Kate Adie, who rely on a readership and fan base, can be completely dismissive of something that has the power to extend their reach further.

Most people have been trying to dismiss the social media wave as just another craze but it has moved so far beyond that. Here in the UAE at least, we benefit a lot more from Twitter. Sonia (@fanofamd) observed that because we are an expatriate-driven community, Twitter allows us to share our opinions honestly with like-minded people. I agree with her. For someone who has lived here more than 20 years, it has broken cross cultural barriers like nothing has been able to before. I have more Emirati friends now than I did before. I do not see colour or creed when I go to a tweet up (a gathering if you will) or wonder what their nationalities are or how old they are – all that matters is that we share common interests.

Its my support system. Anything I want to know – I throw it out there and the Community give me my answers.

So I ask again, why would you dismiss something without really trying it?