turning potential employees away at your front door
- This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 22 years, 3 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
can you answer me this simple question…
why do architecture firms allow themselves to turn down potential employees at their front doors?
How many of you have thrown on one of your fathers old ties, drank a cup of bad Irish coffee, and headed out onto the busy streets of Dublin with the hopes that someone was going to look at your CV or portfolio when you showed up on their doorstep, only to be greeted by a pimple faced, barely legal receptionist, barely sticking her head out the front door as if she was gaurding the crown jewels, and who quickly informs you that the firm is ‘full-up’ but they would be glad to put your CV on file for you?
then the door shuts, and you walk away with your portfolio that is complete with work from the past 4 years at Rem’s office in Amsterdam, and Ghery’s in California…not to mention that teaching stint at the AA and the award winning journel articles you have had published, and the design forums that you have read them at.
But you are walking down the edge of St. Stephens Green, and not working, because some irresponsible partner at the architecture firm you were just at has hired someone as a recepionist that is more worried about texting her boyfriend than understanding that the only way a firm can get better is if they are always looking to get better.
AND, shouldn’t wanting to get better start by looking at the people who walk up to you door and ask to have a quick chat. What can that hurt? And don’t try to tell me that all you important partners and directors don’t have the time to talk to the people! I have worked in these firms, and I know how you operate!
I find it absolutely amazing that these architecture practices will not make the time to talk to the people who show up on there doorsteps. What if Tadeo Ando walked up to your door and wanted work? You wouldn’t even have known it because you don’t care enough to make sure that you do!
Here’s a little advice to all the firms out there. Be a little more open to what is going on around you. Trust me, you are NOT the best, and you Can get better! Remember, this is Dublin, not New York….you are lucky to be working here because there is not one firm in this town that could survive in a REAL city.
-
ooh, someone’s bitter.
with an attitude like that I’m not surprised you get the short shrift. Try a little less arrogance and using a modicum of sense (like making an appointment, or submitting your resume in advance of cold calling).
In my area (graphic design) I’d never talk to someone who just landed on my doorstep. I’d always want to vett their cv/book before talking to them. Same story in NY or wherever.
Feel free to disregard, but that’s the real world. Slagging off receptionists isn’t going to help you with this one.
-
-
bye the bye…..are you to good to spend five minutes with someone who put in the effort, and sucked up their humility, to come to your door with a slim chance that they may get hired? give me a break! cold calling is a way of life, and if you ever left dublin you would know that! you should be thrilled that someone has walked up to your door for an interview, its a complement!
i am surprised you are still in business with an attitude like yours, you say that I am bitter, well you sound arrogant, with a slight hint of pathetic
cheers!
ps…bitter….no! dissapointed…..yes! of course you wouldn’t know that becaue you just assume that I am the one looking for work……ever think that I am just sick of hearing about these stories from the highly educated designers that come to my door everyday….and that I am listening to….and that I have to defend my so called ‘collegues’ to.
-
-
Originally posted by edward:
cold calling is a way of life, and if you ever left dublin you would know that!i am surprised you are still in business with an attitude like yours, you say that I am bitter, well you sound arrogant, with a slight hint of pathetic
I can only speak for the world of graphic design, but my experience (including work in New York and London, but thanks for asking) has been that it’s simply unprofessional to turn up expecting someone to see you. Bare minimum you drop your resume in, in advance and follow that up. If your experience/portfolio of work is of interest to the firm, then you will get access to someone. You just need to have the courtesy to give people some advance warning.
Nothing to do with your experience/skills. If I don’t know you from Adam, I’m not going to risk eating up a half hour with someone who MIGHT be a dead loss. And such is the world that there are far more non-descript applicants than young genius’s out there. Try looking at the process from the position of the firms.
What exactly is the problem with following up on a resume drop anyway?
And thanks for your kind words. I can tell you would be a real bonus to any company.
-
alstair…
you almost had me convinced that you had a heart, and a brain….but then you lost me at the end.
by the way…..are you so important that you would be WASTING a WHOLE half hour on someone who is in the same position you were probably in only a few years ago…..you should remember the path you walked, it might serve you better in the future.
-
-
just to re-iterate
what exactly is your problem with submitting your resume and following up on that?
and in relation to time wasting. Over the past couple of years I’d say I’ve looked at maybe a hundred resumes (in a previous capacity). If I’m seeing someone, I feel it’s only fair to spend at least a half hour going over their work and personal interests/motivation. There is no way you can realistically expect a firm to take that amount of time out for EVERYONE who feels they might have something to offer.
A resume will usually provide enough info to suggest whether a meeting is called for, or not.
FYI; that’s indeed the ‘path I walked’. Didn’t have a problem with it then, don’t see why you do now.
I can’t comment on your heart or brain, but have to say again; With that attitude you are only hurting yourself.
-
Edward
I think the ‘cold calling’ will often pay dividends however yo ureally do need to be well prepared when doing this (resume, mini portfolio etc) as it can be difficult for the principal that you are calling on – eg: tomorrow I’m overbooked in my diary and even 20 minutes will mean that I may be late for a site meeting – which is unprofessional.
I would’nt worry about the scenario which you describe of the receptionist being unable to arrange an interview for you as this is generally for the time being – par for the course – most practises ARE reducing their workforces and are very cautious about hiring at present – in other words – nothing personal its just how things are.
Carry on trying, one thing though, no matter how frustrating, don’t be rude, most people in my experience, want to help and are just as frustrated that they can’t, also it just creates a bad impression of somebody that you might otherwise be sympathetic towards.
Best of Luck.
James
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
