The Ethical Optimist

In an age where everyone feels the need to be politically correct, I find I am sometimes the odd woman out. Such was the case today.

I received a cover letter and resume from a young man looking for a job here at Utopia. Unfortunately, his cover letter and resume were filled with grammatical errors. Now, I could have told him the position was filled and sent him on his way. He may have wondered why, yet again, he didn’t get an interview or bought the story.

I could have taken the easy way out. No muss, no fuss.

However, me being me, I just couldn’t do it. I remember job hunting myself. I hated the frustrated of interviewing for a position and never being told why I didn’t get it. How could I have improved? What could I have done better? Frankly, I would have welcomed some feedback. Unfortunately, not many people have the courage to tell the truth because they fear an emotional or verbal reprisal.

In this case, I wrote the young man a note and explained why he wasn’t getting an interview and suggested ways in which he could improve his presentation. Hopefully, he’ll take it to heart and his next pitch will land him a job.

Earlier this year, we responded to an applicant in a similar manner and he went a bit nutty on us, writing threatening emails, calling, etc. His grammar was the least of his problems. Guys like that may be the reason most people feel they can’t be honest with applicants.

However, we do ourselves and those seeking jobs a disservice when we worry about being politically correct rather than being honest.