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 am surprised you van complete a "strong" application in only two hours.....

He's trying his best op

Thank you for being the first person to notice this. I didn’t mention it as I didn’t want to defend myself but him getting paid employment massively affects not just him but me and his children who will be living in poverty for the next year if he can’t get a job.
He has a duty to try and get one for the sake of his family.
It’s so important that it makes sense for me to support him to find something.
Also he really does want to work too. So I’m doing this for his mental health too.

I wouldn’t say his email scuppered his chances BUT it was a bit pointless. I’d assume hiring managers would ignore it vs write him off. Especially if his skills are in high demand

You know you can virtually walk into a job at the moment, supermarkets, cafes, hotels, shops, businesses the list is endless

He will be able to find a job and work whether he gets this job or not, or whehter he has a job within his specialism or not

HM sending the email means he didn’t read the instructions about only emailing a question which would be a negative point for me.

I doubt it makes much difference one way or the other. We hire candidates who come from all over the world, we're well aware that application etiquette varies a lot (e.g. pictures on CVs, demeanor at interview), and we'd be fools to write off a good candidate due to a cultural difference.

“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.”

I think you have managers who need some training on the Equality Act.

Bloody hell, this whole post is depressing.

Well I've recruited many NHS staff, medical and non-medical. I think you're being ridiculous to be honest.

From your post title and opening sentences I thought he'd written something highly embarrassing. That's fine! Perfectly normal, in fact. I'm sure she'll forgive the use of "miss" and probably put it down to cultural differences.
I work with a lot of Indians and Chinese people (and other nationalities). We're completely used to the fact that they have a different style of writing.

It’s a poorly written email and comes across as cringy. I’ve just received a similar email from a senior candidate giving new answers to questions I asked during an interview. It’s put me off to be honest. I’ve got enough emails without candidates adding more!!

Speaking as a ‘Miss’ or sometimes a’Ms’ depending on the day of the week, I’m really not getting the angst over this, certainly wouldn’t call it a red flag.
I’m often called Mrs, which can be equally as irritating because of the assumption - but I just correct people and get on with the coversation.

If I received such an email I’d just delete it straight away. As we do blind recruitment, when I got the application form with all the rest I wouldn’t be able to match it to the email. Even if I could I’d still be assessing the application against the criteria, the same as everyone elses

If that's the quality of his English written language skills, may I suggest English lessons might be in order as he will need them if he is working as a doctor. Communication is really important.

It sounds as though him getting a job to support his dc is more important to you than it is to him.

I think a shared email address for a husband and wife is more concerning than him contacting them.

They’ve also said the email should only be used for questions as the managers are busy
I think generally sending emails like this aren’t bad, however when he has specifically ignored instructions to only email with questions, it could be seen as a negative as he can’t follow simple instructions. But it’s done, no point spending too much mental energy on it.

His email is completely pointless. He's said nothing in there that's useful or necessary.

To be honest OP, your grammar and spellings aren’t exactly spot on either.
Nor is mine by the way, which is why I wouldn’t pull someone up on theirs.

Thing is it MAY put some people off hiring him but it’s not a chance he should take.
Not sending it wouldn’t put anyone off
So in summary YANBU

You mentioned that it is a NHS job role. Often in the trust I work in we have to score the application against the job profile to see whom gets an interview so it might not make a difference

This! 100%

Has anyone else mentioned that when recruiting in nhs we see every application blind I.e. although the recruiting manager will have seen the email, and perhaps negatively influenced by it. when they are shortlisting they can not see name of individual. So hopefully your husband will still get to interview if the application is strong. Then he has to perform well without you helping. Wishing him luck

ps- it must be frustrating that he’s not listening to your advice on this.

Why is he not working?

I understand the pressure of being pregnant and him not having a job but you both decided to have a baby knowing this.

Its unfair to be annoyed with him over him not doing what you suggested.

Op is typing on mumsnet though not a job application.
I work in same profession as dh and we check each other’s applications, always have. We wouldn’t ignore each other’s advice as the other clearly knows the area.
Op’s husband might be able to get a min wage job but surely if he’s able to get at a clinical job with appropriate pay you try for that.
It sounds like it’s blind recruitment so hopefully they’ll just delete the unnecessary emails.

If he insists on sending an email, the least he could do is send a decent message! Can you craft an email for him to use?

As an aside, I thought all NHS jobs went via their online portal? So not sure how he got an email address to send his application to?

The NHS has thousands of applications from Indians (and other nationalities), even more since Brexit. I'm sure they're perfectly used to the different communication styles.