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Interesting job app response. How do I handle this?

S

stinkynathan

Senior member
I'm a certified teacher here, but was unable to find a job when we moved here in August (short notice job offer for my wife). I spent a lot of time in manufacturing/carpentry work through college, so I've been applying for jobs in that area with the intent of staying in that career path. The job I applied for was as a cabinet installer.

I got a response by email today thanking me for sending the app with another request.

[FONT=&quot]...[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]We have an intense interviewing process for the sake of keeping the great culture we have here at *companyname*. We are choosing to make as sure as we can that we’re hiring the right people, which is why am going to lay out the next step in this fashion:[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I need to know how you will prove your desire for the position.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am not looking for words at this point. Instead, I need to have solid, tangible proof that you have the desire and capabilities to do the job. (References are good, but that isn’t the answer that I need) And your work history is fine, but I still don’t know because I wasn’t there to see you do it. If you survive this question, the rest is all uphill.[/FONT]
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How do I respond to this? The related work experience on my resume dates back to the summer of 2002, but I doubt they'd even remember me there (if my supervisor is even around any more). Same with the one after that. The most recent experience I know would be an awesome phone reference, but I don't have specific examples of my work since it was custom built trailers. I have pictures of a trailer I worked on, but not specifically of my job.

I'm almost wondering it they're looking for something I've built?

...and "the rest is uphill"? Does that mean it gets harder after this? Maybe he meant "downhill."

Any ideas?
 
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Documentation with pictures of a job performed? Does the job require woodwork and creativity? Maybe send them a sample of your woodworking skills.
 
I'd ignore that e-mail and move on. That's a terribly worded e-mail and makes little sense. I think they want you to work for free for a while.

Sounds like bullshit.
 
SunnyD said:
If you build it, they will hire you.
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That kinda sounds like a field of dreams reference.

I think they're asking you to volunteer for a day? If I got that response to a job app, I'd offer to show them my work by bringing them to my house and showing them my cabinets. But seeing that you recently moved and didn't install your cabinets, you could offer a free 30 min job trial or something of that nature.

Sounds like a mom and pop joint. They could've offered to hire you on a week's trial period.
 
syrillus said:
I've seen better-written emails from Nigerian princes looking for small amounts of cash to be wired to them.
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I was just thinking about how BADLY this was written that ... that it reminded me of a 419 scam email (like the one I got this morning).
 
jtvang125 said:
Ha, that makes it sound like the worst is yet to come.

I think it should be "the rest is all downhill".
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they shouldn't have used the phrase at all. If cliches must be used, something like "the rest is all smooth sailing" is far more appropriate.
 
wtf? For installing cabinets? It's not exactly rocket science - a couple weeks of working as someone's apprentice & you'd be an expert.

as for fulfilling "[FONT=&quot] Instead, I need to have solid, tangible proof that you have the desire and capabilities to do the job." [/FONT]What you could do is get a cheap set of cabinets on craigslist, and videotape yourself installing them in some bare room in your new house. Then edit the videotape to put it in fast-forward. There's a video on youtube of a couple of guys doing a complete kitchen, including the counters, in 30 minutes. Imitate that. 🙂
 
Sounds to me like he wants you to come over to his house and install some cabinets. It also sounds to me like he is a giant douche.
 
FoBoT said:
they sound nuts, skip it
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Alone said:
I'd ignore that e-mail and move on. That's a terribly worded e-mail and makes little sense. I think they want you to work for free for a while.

Sounds like bullshit.
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I can't afford to skip anything for which I have the potential for an interview. I've only been applying for jobs I have an interest in (to this point). Ever tried going four and a half months without a job?

jaedaliu said:
That kinda sounds like a field of dreams reference.

I think they're asking you to volunteer for a day? If I got that response to a job app, I'd offer to show them my work by bringing them to my house and showing them my cabinets. But seeing that you recently moved and didn't install your cabinets, you could offer a free 30 min job trial or something of that nature.

Sounds like a mom and pop joint. They could've offered to hire you on a week's trial period.
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This isn't a bad idea. I don't think they're a mom and pop. According to the job posting they're expanding by a million dollars a year. That doesn't seem to me to be mom and pop, though it may be small compared to nation-wide builders. I've seen pictures of their work and it's really good.
 
Poor/misleading communication is a major cause of "false drama." I would ask for clarification and if you receive another vaguely worded response, tell them thanks but, no thanks.
 
The translation is, "Build us something and if it's nice, we'll hire you." Which really translates to, "You will make us something for free, we'll keep it and decline to hire you, sucker."

Happens infrequently in the software field.
 
I just installed a dishwasher in our kitchen in a spot that didn't have one previously and that was four inches too wide. My wife is suggesting I put together a document with the before/progress/after pictures of that job to send to the guy.

Problem is...I'm not happy with the job. I went into it knowing we were going to replace our cabinets within a year or two. It's probably good work, but not the kind of detail I would like to show off to a cabinet maker.
 
I think I'm going to respond by letting him know that I'd be willing to work for two days to prove what I can do. I'll also note that I will follow up with pictures of a couple projects around the house and a phone number for my boss at the trailer/RV place where I worked.

I can't think of anything better at this point.
 
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