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AIBU?

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Original poster

being extremely irritated by job applications 'ritin in txt spk'

52 replies

becstarsky · 16/12/2011 16:49

I'm not BU, by the way. Not at all. The advertisement included the words 'Excellent written and spoken English required', and one of the duties stated was 'Supervising English homework especially spelling'. And I get this:

"Am up 4 the job. Am lovings bks myself. Please calls me for the interview 2day.'

This is just one reply but it is representative of literally hundreds. There were a few whose first language wasn't English and they'd overestimated their own abilities (put 'exsellent English' on their CV) and I don't mind that so much. They don't make the shortlist, but they don't get my judgy pants in a twist either. However there were many replies like the one above from people born and educated in this country. People who have, allegedly, achieved a passing grade at A Level/BTEC... according to their CV Xmas Hmm ... What annoys me even more (ranting now) is that I'm sure some of these people will say 'I've applied for so many jobs and no-one gives me a chance.' As if hitting the 'send' button constitutes applying for a job.

There are plenty of people who are long-term unemployed and who really do try, and get knocked back over and over again. Somehow knowing that makes it worse because it's seems like an insult to those who have tried really hard and still don't get the job. (Of which I also have hundreds of applications)

It's this combination of illiteracy and arrogance that I just find so maddening. Such a waste of time to wade through it all, and they are taking attention away from the ones who have spent time on it. And I feel really bad that the good ones will get rejected in exactly the same way as the useless ones. This is my punishment for (a) posting an ad on gumtree (b) posting an ad before I had made a firm decision as to whether I wanted a nanny or a CM and (c) going back to full time work (guilt trip projection...!)

GAH! And... breathes.

OP posts:
OldGreyWassailTest · 16/12/2011 16:56

It's all gorn to the dogs, I tell ya! The standard of spoken and written English has gone steadily downhill for the past 20 years. I feel your pain.

mollymole · 16/12/2011 16:58

They do not understand an advert written in clear English, so quite clearly they are not up to the job. It is not your problem.
However, as an employers any adverts we place always state
that all applications are to be handwritten by the applicant and posted to us. We never accept texts, emails, phone calls etc and anyone who turns up on the doorstep is turned away.
If they cannot follow simple written instructions then they are not up to the job. You are justified in your frustration.

hairytaleofnewyork · 16/12/2011 16:59

Yanbu. I would not shortlist anyone for any job if they used text speak on their form.

verytellytubby · 16/12/2011 17:24

I can't believe people use text speak applying for a job. Flabbergasted.

MrsGypsy · 16/12/2011 17:27

I've heard that before from the Daily Mail others and I didn't really believe it. Appalled. But then again, when you listen to them speak, like, totally, right, OK?

giraffesCantDanceAtXmasParties · 16/12/2011 17:31

God sake hun wots ur prob? i aplyed 4 dat job. i dun my hole engerlish dissurtaton in txt and it was fine hun. u no ur keyboard best hun. happy keyboard happi typer innit. purlez giv me da job hun xxxx

FanjoForTheReindeerJumper · 16/12/2011 17:33

I answered the phone to someone who was answering an advert we had placed for a receptionist (dental)..but couldn't actually understand what I said to him on the phone..Hmm

SnapesMistressofMerriment · 16/12/2011 18:50

giraffes

crashdoll · 16/12/2011 19:03

YANBU. That is quite shocking. I'd rather receive an application filled with spelling and grammar mistakes than one filled with text speak.

camdancer · 16/12/2011 19:26

All the job ads I write say no cv's - so why do people keep sending their cv? But I did enjoy the person who sent in the 17 page cv that even included his swimming badges!

Txt speak is an automatic no and I don't reply to anyone with an email address like sexy_gurlxxx@... It just isn't appropriate for a job in a preschool.

StealthPenguin · 16/12/2011 19:49

I'm disgusted by it as well, and I'm only 21! I'm hardly the 50-year-old that people make me out to be.

The problem with people nowadays is they seem to think everyone communicates on one level, or not at all. I was taught that when I'm with my friends I speak in a very relaxed and casual manner but when I'm speaking with a teacher, future employer, parent of a friend or someone on the telephone I use a more formal English. Then again, I don't use "text slang" at all; it's lazy, abhorrent and ignorant. The effort that it takes to spell a word properly is negligible - I don't see the point in trying to shorten everyday words!

My grandmother used to say to me "You don't walk up to the Queen and greet her with a high-five".

And CamDancer - I have a "professional" e-mail address that I use specifically for any job applications or formal communication. I can't stand people using an e-mail address like i-hart_name.of.celebrity@OMGAwesome.co.uk.

StealthPenguin · 16/12/2011 19:49

Sorry, that should not have linked! It was meant to be one square bracket and not two!

Tortu · 16/12/2011 19:49

Hmmm. I do feel your pain as text speak hurts me, but.....

You are searching for a nanny/ childminder. You are not searching for somebody who has a degree in English.

There is a huge difference between a top grade at A-Level and somebody who has got a passing grade. A passing grade student could not be relied on to start each of their sentences with a capital letter and, to be honest, shouldn't have been doing A-Levels really.

Standards of English are not declining (good grief!), but there is a big emphasis on encouraging the majority of students to stay on in the sixth form. 30 years ago, the people you are talking about wouldn't have been actually been doing A-Levels.

If they've got an A-C grade at A-Level and have still replied to your adverts in the way you're indicating, then I'm surprised!

PurplePidjInAPearTree · 16/12/2011 19:57

I'm pretty sure I got my job based on the fact that I hand delivered my CV*, correctly addressed to the person specified in the advert, and listed only the relevant information in a clear and coherent format.

I now regularly either giggle or internally shout at people who apply to rent a house from me over the internet. The vast majority use txt spk, have several pets and are in receipt of benefits. I have to sell you to a sceptical landlord, please please give me something to work with here!**

*I live about four doors away from the place

**I previously worked with people with disabilities. I have no problem with people with multiple pets, nor with those on benefits. The combination of all three factors, however, makes it impossible for me to actually help you. Because you are not helping yourself Xmas Hmm

ilovesooty · 16/12/2011 21:14

YANBU.

However I'm sure someone will be along at some point to tell you how intolerant you are.

Trills · 16/12/2011 21:21

YABU

See it as a help with sifting through the "hundreds" of applications.

If you had hundreds that were good your job would be much harder :o

NeedlesCuties · 16/12/2011 21:42

YANBU.

OP - do you mean they wrote in txt spk in their CV or application form, or just when they were texting you or emailing you for further details about the job?

If it's the former then I'd throw the forms straight in the bin (and maybe contact them to tell them why you binned them) but if they are actually texting you for details then I could maybe forgive the txt spk.

Auntiestablishment · 16/12/2011 21:55

Can you have 2 standard rejection letters, rather than just 1?

"Good" rejects get - "Thank you for your thoughtful & well-presented application for [X job]. Unfortunately you were not what we were looking for this time/[insert helpful comment if possible] but I wish you all the best in your job search"

"Bad" rejects get - "Thank you for your application for [X job]. On this occasion you were unsuccessful. I wish you well in your search for a job, and would advise you to learn to write and don't use fucking text speak you idiot improve your presentation/spelling/grammar/construction so that it is clear what you have to offer. I found it very hard to understand your application."

Or something much better worded.

CrapBag · 16/12/2011 22:46

I can't believe people would actually apply for a job using text speak and expect to get it!!

They must be applying so they can say they are but still claim job seekers knowing that they won't be hired. That or they really are that thick that they don't deserve the job anyway!

Must be very exasperating for you OP but at least it is an easy way to get rid of a load of applications.

Original poster
becstarsky · 17/12/2011 09:41

That's true - at least I can automatically reject quite a lot. Tortu I know what you mean about it being a nanny/childminder role. But what is quite heartbreaking is that I've had over 200 applications and some of those are very carefully done, and their covering note makes it clear that they are utterly desperate for the job. And some of those people are very well-qualified - speak four languages fluently, hold a degree, lots of experience, references etc. So the lack of care in the others is thrown into relief by that. I think I've found a perfect situation now so I'm going to be sending a lot of rejection e-mails. Sad for some of them.

OP posts:
RealLifeIsForWimps · 17/12/2011 10:00

It's crazy. People are complaining there are no jobs. Maybe there are just no jobs for illiterates.

It beggars belief that anyone would write an application letter in less than perfect English. There are Asian kids born in a tin hut that are going to shit all over our graduates in terms of basic English language literacy.

JosieZ · 17/12/2011 10:00

People are often interviewed on the tv or radio as examples of people who have been trying to find a job over long period, sent numberable cvs and have good quals. But they almost always have unclear speech/ strong regional accent/ drop their ts etc etc. and I want to yell for heaven's sake listen to yourself.

Sadly in this pc world noone is likely to say to them that they can hardly be understood.

I have a regional accent (not strong) and am not a clear speaker which is prob why I notice it.

Europeans being interviewed often have much better english than many Brits.

The kids interviewed during and after the summer riots were great examples - some sounded as if they were from a different planet. One excuse for rioting was lack of jobs - with speech like that the chance of employment outside their own locality was about nil.

Sorry - this is off topic but something that i've been dying to rant about.

mummymccar · 17/12/2011 10:01

YANBU especially if part of the job is to help the children with their homework!

My DP had a 'CV' delivered the other day. It was a piece of paper torn out of a notebook (crumpled), with the person's name, telephone number and the message "I will be the best person you eva have working 4 u. Ring me".

Needless to say somebody is still waiting by their phone...

ShellyBoobs · 17/12/2011 10:21

A passing grade student could not be relied on to start each of their sentences with a capital letter and, to be honest, shouldn't have been doing A-Levels really.

Standards of English are not declining (good grief!)

Are you being serious?

Someone who can gain a pass in English at A-Level can't be relied upon the use a capital at the start of a sentence?

And standards aren't declining?

I refuse to believe that 20 years ago anyone of that calibre would have been able to achieve an 'E' grade at A-Level.

RealLifeIsForWimps · 17/12/2011 10:28

You shouldn't be leaving primary school if you don't routinely start sentences with capital letters, never mind being awarded an A-level.