Husband sent cringy email to recruiter. If you’re a recruiter would this put you off?

[Winterleaves1]

My husband is a qualified doctor but not eligible to work in the U.K. at the moment as he has exams to complete specific to the U.K.
While he’s studying for his exams I work in clinical trials and found a job that would be perfect for him. He’s Indian and has good English but doesn’t know how to word job applications so I helped him with the application. It took two hours as it was really long and I wanted to make sure it was spot on. I submitted the application for him. I have no connection with the employer at all. I just work in a similar field.
He came back to me and said the job application has an email for an informal chat or to ask any questions. He said he would email to introduce himself and let the manager know he is interested in the position.
Now I know in some countries this may be seen as proactive and increase your chances but I know from my managers opinion it’s been seen as annoying and socially awkward. It has definitely put them off and generally made them think the applicant didn’t understand British culture and wouldn’t fit in well within the team. Bit harsh but I’m just going by what their reaction has been when someone has done this.
They’ve also said the email should only be used for questions as the managers are busy and may have many applications where they are the manager and need their inbox clear. It’s also just not a ‘done thing’ here. I explained all this to him and told him it could negatively affect his chances of getting the job.
Well today I’m reading emails on our joint email account and he’s sent this email
‘Dear miss xxxxx,
i am writing to let you know I am very interested in your position and have completed the application. I think my skills and experience matches job well. Please consider my application’.
I know that this manager is married but no title was given so ‘miss’ was inappropriate. Also his grammar and English wasn’t the best in the email.

I’m really annoyed because the application was really strong and while he may not have got an interview I’d have at least felt that we’d given it our best shot. I feel this cringy email has really ruined his chance at an interview and will be viewed negatively.
If it was just this one application I could forget about it but it seems that he refuses to take my advice and I am sure he will continue sending an email to managers for all jobs he applies for moving forwards.
I know I sound really mean. I promise I’m not, just trying to help him as o know he wants to be in work.
So AIBU to think this email has affected his chances? If you are responsible for recruiting would this put you off? I’m hoping I’m overthinking.

I recruit and this wouldn't bother me in fact it would show willingness and eagerness so I'd likely go ahead and interview and see how it went with him then 😊

You’re being ridiculous, patronising and controlling.

@literalviolence is right, it shouldn't matter , but if it came to a tie break as to who to interview, it.might come into play.

I can match up anonymity emails. I don't try to but when only one applicant went to uni in India and the name on the email is clearly Indian, it doesn't take much analytical thinking! I always think you can just tell people not to call people miss though so thats kind of language, which in the UK assuming people are a miss can seem a little sexist, does not mean they're not the best candidate.

I mean he's gonna be working as a Dr in the future so I wouldn't be worrying.

He’s insisting he’s going to continue to do it. Nothing I can do. It’s his job search so I’m leaving him to it now.
I have offered my support and will help with applications but can’t do anything else as he’s an adult.

Overall OP, your advice is sound. It would drive me nuts that he won't listen!

I see both his point and yours, but he sounds new to the UK job market, so should maybe listen to you a bit more? It may work differently in India, I don't know.

I’m about two years. I’m on maternity leave soon and we really really need him to work. So it’s very important and probably the reason I’m stressing so much.

Sending an email note isn’t a bad thing when contact info has been provided. I agree I’d do a covering letter style one and perhaps tailor it to the position you’re applying for so it’s not a stock generic email. I’d change the Miss to Ms.

I don’t think any honest manager would bin a strong application if they got that email. I think you’re being a bit over-sensitive.

It’s common practice in India.

Yes I can too. But I tend not to waste my time doing so and just delete as they come in. I always shortlist online these days so won't be thinking about who rung me / emailed me generally

DH was an NHS manager for quite a while. It is fine, even expected, for applicants to send an email asking for further information or even to have a brief meeting. Job adverts often say to contact xx for more information. The email your DH has sent, though, doesn’t ask about those, so it is a bit cringey.

Yep, an email for further info is fine, this one would annoy me and I'd remember when it came to shortlisting

I've lived and recruited in both India and the UK. The entire cultural norms are very different.

I think in as far as you can help your understand there's no better way, just two different ways, and avoid words like "cringy" etc the easier it is for him to not feel criticised and like has a choice to your insight to adapt to a different way.

In India that would be an entirely appropriate email.

The main problem is it's too generic, and the poor grammar makes it sound like something sent by a spam bot.

I'm not trying to criticise your husband's English - that's a sight better than I'd manage in any other language - just trying to be honest about the impression it would give.

He needs to name the position and highlight one or two key skills he has that would make him a good match. Not War and Peace but: 'As a qualified doctor, I have clinical experience that would make me an excellent fit for this role' - type of thing.

But the fit re skills should be covered in the application.

That all needs to go into the supporting statement. Additional information / CVs etc often don't get anywhere near the recruiting manager

I'd probably just ignore it. I might think "oh this guy is a bit keen" but I wouldn't write him off. Equally I wouldn't go and dig out his application and move it to the top of the pile becauae hes sent an extra email, I'd just review his application or cv in the same way as all the others.
I would assume he wasn't a native English speaker from his use of Miss but again I wouldn't let that stop me interviewing him if his application was decent.
You're over-thinking. It won't make or break his application.

Yes I did advise him of how to contact if he really wanted to make contact such as ring or email asking for some additional information. Which is fine.
But he did not take my advice.

Of course - but step one is to get recruiter to read the application!

Sending an email by itself wouldn’t put me off; but I think you should shift your advice to recommending he puts a bit more structure around his follow up emails:

”Dear [X], I am emailing to follow up on my recent application for the role of [blah]. I note that the role involes working with [something specific about the job ad - a system, a product, a certain type of customer]. I am particularly interested in this as I [did similar in a previous role at X company]. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further at interview. Kind regards, [y].

True, but I have to read all of them, for my sins (public sector and direct hire), I do see if it's going through an agency it might be different. Miss is annoying, but the incorrect grammar in the rest is worse and I would judge that, but then I recruit to admin roles

I wouldn't worry.

The message doesn't sound too bad to me.

I had a career coach and they made me do this, even though I agree with you that it made me cringe. It can go the other way they reckon.

Also if it's London or a city, most recruiters will be aware of different cultural differences and will make allowance for that.

I used to recruit a lot and I wouldn't write off an Indian candidate as in the past I have noticed a slightly more contact-y style. I would just think that's how it's done elsewhere.

If he’s dead set on sending email (I agree with you it’s a no no) then compromise and agree wording. It reads as English not first language and he sounds a bit odd.