We’ve Got Client Feedback
June 30, 2008 by Jodee
Filed under Freelance Writing
by Jodee
I heard from an employer who recently posted a job on FWJ recently and this individual has kindly given me permission to post some comments about the applications that were submitted by FWJ readers.
Just wanted to say thanks again for displaying our ad on your site. We received 11 applications from people who had seen it there, and one of those was perfect for the job. Generally people who applied after seeing the ad through you followed the instructions better than most of the other candidates – you train them well!
This person went on to say:
Basically I was very specific about what I wanted from applicants – what I was really after was proof that they could write well, and original and interesting ideas for articles. And yet it’s amazing how many people ignored what I asked for and sent CVs, or reams and reams about their work experience. I know that people are busy and are applying for many jobs, but it would probably have been quicker to just send what I had asked for. I’d also add that passion and enthusiasm go a VERY long way! It’s obvious that some people had no interest or experience in the field but thought they’d have a go anyway. I’d argue that this approach is extremely unlikely to work, and it’s probably a waste of their time.
I hope you find this feedback helpful.
I didn’t apply for the ad. But, it would be nice to see how the ad was worded, so we can compare the way he asked for the information and his feedback on the submissions from the eleven applicants.
I have to agree with Kenna on it would be nice to see exactly how the employer worded the ad. Another note on the “passion and enthusiasm go a VERY long way! It’s obvious that some people had no interest or experience in the field but thought they’d have a go anyway” line.
I understand where the employer is coming from, but if we all stuck only to our experience, what would we learn? I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I’d become interested in one of my husband’s hobbies – homebrewing – yet I’ve taken to it more than he has and now if beer is being made, it’s me doing the work 9 times out of 10. Enough that I was able to use my experience and help three other acquaintances learn how to make their own beer. My son never would have imagined enjoying writing, but he was given an award from his teacher at 8th grade graduation for most promising young writer and that’s fueled a brand new passion for him. Enough that he’s asked for his own blog this summer to try to earn some money. I hope everyone does keep their minds open to learning and tackling new challenges!
This was a nicebit of feedback, though one thing irks me a bit…the ‘you train them well’ remark.
Sorry, but I taught myself how to follow directions in an ad. Wait, no…actually that honor should fall to my Kindergarten teacher.
And I agree with Ann G. If we never step outside of our comfort zone, we might never find our perfect niche. Encouraging someone to forget about a job just because they aren’t completely in the know or totally passionate about the subject could result in the loss of the best writer they’d ever hire.
@ Kenna and Ann G: I appreciate where you are coming from but this person agreed to have the comments made public on the understanding that I would not reveal a name or the ad. I’m sure that they don’t want to be on the receiving end of any nastygrams.
This feedback is that person’s opinion. Another client may have a completely different take on things. I posted what was relayed to me without editing it, so please do keep that in mind.
@ Julie F: I take no credit for having “trained” anyone.
And I have to agree that stepping outside your comfort zone is a good thing. You may find that you have a knack for a particular type of writing or a niche that you would never have discovered otherwise. Once again, these comments represent one person’s opinion.
I love reading these client feedbacks. I find them one of the best ways to improve my applications. Thanks Jodee!
@Jodee, oh I know. That’s why I put a wink. I wasn’t taking it too seriously at all.
Not to play devil’s advocate, but I can totally feel where the job poster is coming from on the “It’s obvious that some people had no interest or experience in the field but thought they’d have a go anyway.” Deb was nice enough to post an ad for me a while back, and I got all sorts of responses from people who clearly had no real interest in the job or the subject matter. I was shocked, because as a writer myself I wouldn’t waste my time applying to gigs I had no interest in; this was clearly what many folks had done though. I actually had one person say “I’m not too into natural beauty, but the pay sounds good.” Possibly a good think to keep to oneself when applying…
So I don’t think the job poster was talking about people who want to branch out and cover something new, but rather about people who feel they have to respond to a certain number of jobs — even ones they don’t really want — just to wrap up some sort of personal quota goal (or whatever the reasoning could possibly be behind this).
I think a lot of people apply for jobs just for the sake of applying. Then if they land the job, they’re bored and it shows in their writing. I got into a discussion with another blogger about this – he wrote a big post about how you don’t have to write what you know as long as you know how to use a search engine. Theoretically that’s true, but then you get the same old rehashed information all the other people who don’t know a thing about the topic are writing about. They know more about the right keywords to use to get to the top of the search engines than writing about a particular subject – and i maintain knowing how to get to the top of the search engines doesn’t make one a good writer.
This feedback brought up another pet peeve of mine, not following directions. I dont’ think it’s too much to ask for this, and I don’t understand why so many people get in an uproar when I point it out.
I love getting client feedback. There’s nothing like hearing it from the horses mouth.
Deb — I agree with you about following directions. As this job poster pointed out, it would take LESS time to simply follow the directions (in many cases). My feeling is that if someone — not this poster necessarily, because I don’t know what he/she asked for, but others — asks for something I think is too much, then that’s not the job for me and I move along. How hard is that?
I,too, enjoy reading the client feedback. Sometimes it is overall good stuff to keep in mind when applying for jobs, and other times it is just a matter of personal preference – but even that is relevant, because it gives you a reminder to look at the personality in the job ad, and with the company/site you are applying for, so you can match your application/resume to it.
If the ad or website seems to be fun and light-hearted, the traditional no-nonsense cover letter and resume might seem too stuffy and formal -even if you are perfectly qualified.
This is something I was reminded of recently when I applied for a ‘fun’ job and got a mass reply letter back stating that too many applicants were too stuffy. Yup, I am sure I was probably one of them – after all, most people have been trained to be ‘professional’ and ‘all-business’ when applying for a job. I certainly have. I have worked hard to turn off my silly side in order to be seen as the consummate businesswoman when I go after work I want.
But, the person who wrote it was also kind and gracious enough to give everyone another chance to apply – with more specific instructions and the reminder to lighten up. I really appreciate the opportunity to step out of business mode and let my Zany Dani side shine through. I have to re-think my entire approach to my resume and cover letter, but its good for me, and it may well give me a template for a new ‘fun job’ cover letter and resume.