Is it okay not to respond to spec CVs?

Is it okay not to respond to spec CVs?

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I receive about 10 - 15 CVs a weeks asking for a job, even though my website is very clear - no vacancies.

I started to respond with standrad response. I just could not carryon. They just keep coming. I now press the delete button. At the same I feel for people trying. We were all there once, though my CVs were snail mailed. Email was not that popular.

Internet has meant it is very easy to send out mass CVs. Numbers are increasing.

What is the best way to handle spec CVs received?

Replies (22)

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Universe
By SteveOH
27th Dec 2010 21:59

I can't see the point in some of your questions.

Can't you just make up your own mind? Maybe not, so:

Treat them as if they had arrived in your ordinary post. Would you file them immediately in the bin? Then hit the delete key. Would you send a quick reply by letter? Then hit the reply key.

From a personal point of view, I think that if I was sending out a number of CVs I would look at any replies with eager anticipation only to be really dissapointed with a reply that said "thank you for your enquiry but we do not need anybody at the moment. We will however keep your CV on file."

That's why I don't reply to CVs I receive. I may be wrong or insensitive but that is my decision. What's yours? (And don't say "a pint").

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FT
By FirstTab
27th Dec 2010 23:14

Never stop asking

Thanks for responding Steve. I understand some will find my constant asking annoying - it will not stop. I love the following quote:

“Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you.” I read this in a bible when I was looking into religions.

The world responds to those who ask. I do not mind people not responding, I will not stop asking.

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By petersaxton
27th Dec 2010 23:25

Why don't you answer?

It's all very well asking but why should people answer you if you don't answer them?

I asked you why you recommended Logical Office to somebody after you'd given the impression it wasn't very good. You didn't reply.

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FT
By FirstTab
28th Dec 2010 00:27

Some answers

Steve - I delete CVs. I just to want to see if others handle it differenly.

Peter - On LO, I just gave the two options available - TaxCalc Hub and LO. LO is not for me, but I thought perhaps someone else would prefer it. I understand they are many satisfied users of LO.

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FT
By FirstTab
28th Dec 2010 01:31

Possible solution

I really like the link below - not only for Dear John emails but also for client emails. It looks like a real time saver. I have downloaded a trial copy.

Credit to someone who mentioned this on AW before. Sorry I do not remember the name. I just bookedmarked the website and it just clicked with me.

http://www.ablebits.com/outlook-templates-phrases/index.php

With this 15 to 20 CVs a week will be easy to respond to.

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By petersaxton
28th Dec 2010 06:57

Answers

"Steve - I delete CVs. I just to want to see if others handle it differenly."

I reply by email to CVs sent by email. I don't reply to CVs sent through the post.

"Peter - On LO, I just gave the two options available - TaxCalc Hub and LO. LO is not for me, but I thought perhaps someone else would prefer it. I understand they are many satisfied users of LO."

I thought TaxCalc Hub isn't even out yet?

Who told you there are many satisfied users of LO? Was it LO?

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By petersaxton
28th Dec 2010 07:14

Templates and other work issues

I like your template link.

There's something similar in Digita Practice Management so I will look at getting to grips with that first. I'm going to consider all options that will make me more efficient.

Things are going really well with my work. I'm waiting for a few clients to give me the ok to submit their accounts and a few still have to give me their data to submit their accounts by 31/12/10 but I still have the time to do them if they are quick.

With the personal tax clients that have given me their data I am hoping to get them all done by the first week of January. Then I will do the work the same day as I receive the information.

My plan is to do all work the day (or next day if received late) of receipt. I have been used to having a pile of work to do and trying to prioritise but I don't want to be in that position again.

Starting from February I will be chasing my clients for 31 March/5 April year ends. I'll be explaining to the employers the data is needed early for P11Ds and for other clients the need to get the accounts and tax done quickly. I'll chase everybody every month. I've already set up simple spreadsheets for each service/task I do with stages by column and clients by row. This should be easy to sort.

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FT
By FirstTab
28th Dec 2010 10:07

Peter

Thanks for your response Peter. You have years of experience, it is helpful to know even highly experienced people have areas they can improve on. I think it is really good of you to be open about this.

Even though my client number is lower than yours, I too need to be far better organised in getting client work done far sooner. Like you I am changing all this.

As regards to LO, they are two users I spoke to who have been using LO for a number of years who are very happy with it.

You are right TaxCalc Hub is not out yet, at the time I responded it was due to be out in Nov/Dec. I understand they need to undertake further work, it will now be out Spring/Summer.

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By petersaxton
28th Dec 2010 11:13

Spreadsheets

Although I am reasonably happy with Digita Practice Management and Paul Scholes is very happy with Iris, I think spreadsheets take a lot of beating. Their major weakness is regarding new clients but if you have a good system for introducing new clients into your reporting system then that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

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By cymraeg_draig
28th Dec 2010 11:39

Excel

 I think spreadsheets take a lot of beating.  Posted by petersaxton on Tue, 28/12/2010 - 11:13

 

Agreed Peter - I've not managed to devise a spreadsheet that can cook my breakfast (yet), but they can do pretty much everything else :)

I think initially devising a spreadsheet to perform a particular function, if nothing else, helps to focus you on exactly what functions you require from a commercial package, and indeed what you really dont need. 

 

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By Jason Dormer
28th Dec 2010 12:00

CV's

I personally respond to every CV that comes in regardless of volume - it's basic decency.  To not respond shows a complete lack of respect in my opinion.  Try putting yourself in their position and remembering what it was like to be in their shoes.

Sometimes I respond letting the applicant know where they have gone wrong and what they could do to improve their chances.

I also keep them all on file should any position arise in the future - has the potential to save ridiculously over inflated agency fees.

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By cymraeg_draig
28th Dec 2010 15:27

I disagree Jason

I personally respond to every CV that comes in regardless of volume - it's basic decency.  To not respond shows a complete lack of respect in my opinion.   Posted by Jason Dormer on Tue, 28/12/2010 - 12:00

 

I totally disagree - sending speculative CV's when no vacancy has been advertised show a lack of respect in my opinion.  If these people think busy practices have nothing better to do than answer their unsolicited applications then they have a worrying lack of commercial awareness.

I treat unsolicited CVs like all unsolicited mail - bin it.  I see no difference between unsolicited VS's and double glazing salesmen or telemarketting companies. They are all a waste of valuable time.

 

 

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By Jason Dormer
28th Dec 2010 19:50

CV's

I don't see it like that - I would applaud anyone for trying to get an opportunity rather than sit on their [***] and let an agency do all the work for them.  Also i'd instinctively want to keep the spirits up of those trying to find work, or those in work wanting to move on.  Not only that but for more selfish reasons paths may cross in the future when there may be a vacancy available and i'd want my firm to be THE one that the candidate wants to work for above any other.  Previous dealings may go some small way towards this.

Having said that, i don't mind cold callers or other salesman presenting themselves either, for every 9 wasters there may be 1 opportunity - both ways - so I never class these dealings as a waste of valuable time, more or an investment.

For people to advertise their business and expect the only approaches to be from potential clients is naive. 

 

 

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By petersaxton
28th Dec 2010 20:04

Duplicate CVs

There must be some agency sending out paper CVs on behalf of job hunters. I say this because I regularly get duplicate CVs so they must have my name and address duplicated on their system.

Unfortunately, when I phone the job hunter and explain that I have received duplicate CVs from them and would they mind telling me who sends them out on their behalf none of the job hunters understand what I am talking about.

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By MarionMorrison
29th Dec 2010 08:55

Individuals not Policies

I actually judge each on their individual merits.  Some I will genuinely keep on file (though I've yet to follow any of those up and it's really just clutter to be cleared one day), some I ignore if I feel they're sending out 50 to the local firms without thought or care -  "I especially want to come to work at Morrison & Co" - my [***].

But some which I think are deserving, well-meaning but flawed and that I like will be replied to with advice and guidance on CV content and effect.  You don't need to have a consistent policy in this area.

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By BigBadWolf
29th Dec 2010 16:48

Do you respond to unsolicited mail?

If you have not solicited the CV's - and clearly state there are no vacancies on your website ... then I would not bother replying to them.

I had one desparate chap - who would mass email his CV once every 2 weeks - I had to reply to him to ask him to remove me from his mailing list!

I think it is hard enough limiting admin hours, and mnaximising chargeable hours - without having the bother of replying to each of the Mass emailied CV's

 

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Giraffe
By Luke
29th Dec 2010 16:49

I reply to all

with a courteous no vacancies either by email or letter depending on how they have come in.

That said I only get a few a month so it is manageable, but I do agree with Jason that it is comon decency to respond.

 

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By andypartridge
30th Dec 2010 20:33

I agree with C_D, mostly

Most of the CVs I receive are generic, come from people who are not local (some from overseas) and tell me how much the individual wants to work for a firm with my reputation. Utter tosh, of course.

If I were to reply, it would take me more time and effort than it took the person to send it. When there is no vacancy in my very small firm, why bother? Every minute of my time spent on this kind of activity is a minute I have lost serving my paying clients.

I do make exceptions and that is to local people who might genuinely have heard of my firm, but they really are in the minority. It is community spirited and good PR to take a little time out for them.

-- Kind regards Andy

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By petersaxton
30th Dec 2010 21:21

Flattery, lies and formatting

I can see both points of view. It does irritate me when people make out that my firm is so well know for it's excellence all over the globe and describe their skills in such a way to make me think they must be chief executive of some blue chip company and not working the checkout at the local supermarket. Another one of my peeves is when their CV runs over to two or three words on a new page as if no thought as been given to anything except the lies.

It doesn't take long to reply by email but replying by letter is out of the question.

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By Darren Loring
30th Dec 2010 23:42

Always reply

I always reply as I remember many many years ago when I was applying for jobs - and sending CV's on spec to firms how frustrating it was when no reply was received - wondering if my correspondence or their reply had been lost in the post (pre e-mail days!) - a reply does not have to be long.

I do not get too many CV's to make this a hassle, and you never know, we may have a vacancy at the time, in which case such a CV shows the individual has some motivation and initiative.  Also, I may know of other firms in the area who have vacancies and I can forward the CV on to (I try to keep a good relationship with many other local accountants (and the firms I worked for before setting up my business).

If I have time and I think a CV has been poorly written I will provide notes on how it can be improved (useful I hope rather than in an rude/annoying way), or say that I thought it was well presented, etc.

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By Jason Dormer
31st Dec 2010 11:26

CV's

Had a great one last week, the covering letter read 'I would be really grateful to be considered for a position at (other local firms name).

I wrote back thanking him for the CV and said that if I hear of any jobs going at (local firms name) I would be sure to let him know.

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By petersaxton
31st Dec 2010 12:27

This one didn't get the job

I had a CV with the jobs giving the dates of employment as something like "Dec 2008 - February 2007". I phoned the guy up about it and he said he did it because he'd been recommended to list jobs with the latest first. No amount of explanation would make him think he'd misunderstood.

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