Offered to help someone with a CV....and now in awkward situation

[Cailleachian]

An acquaintance on fb, that I know casually through events/social circle/volunteering has recently been posting about looking for a job. One came across my radar that I thought he'd be perfect for, its primarily a practical job, in an area that he has a lot of skills in.

I mentioned it to him, he thought it was great but said that he really struggled with job applications. I am a whizz at CVs, so suggested that if he sent it through I'd tidy it up. It came though, and it was pretty awful. Very staccato, didn't highlight his best areas and really dull, ....so I jazzed it up. He loved it and asked if I could help him with the cover letter. I said to send through his first draft and I'd see what I could do.

Its terrible. Astonishingly terrible. I've noticed that he makes a few spelling and grammar mistakes on social media, but hey, everyone has typos and no-one worried about grammar for facebook, but I didnt realise that he actually had difficulties with literacy.

I emailed him and tried to tactically ask him if he had dyslexia and perhaps it might be worth mentioning that he may need extra support for a job that is asking for "excellent written communication" (but probably only a minor part of the actual job in reality) and he replied saying no and it was not so good just because it was a first draft.

He has clearly had help with the CV that he sent through to me, as although it was boring, it was professionally written, but the cover letter needs completely re-done (the literacy level is around Primary 4 level),

How do I tackle this - he'd be perfect for the job in so many ways, but he is functionally illiterate and the job will probably require at least basic writing skills. If he disclosed, they could probably put in some support/modify the role slightly, but I worry that I'm colluding in deceiving the recruiters, and setting him up for an embarrassing situation.

Tell him to send his final draft? Is the letter the actual application? I wouldn’t be happy with effectively writing that for him. Stick to vague suggestions like running it through a spell check or mentioning the order of paragraphs.

(I wouldn’t be happy with effectively writing that for him. Stick to vague suggestions like running it through a spell check or mentioning the order of paragraphs.*

I agree with this..... and personally I'd be stepping back .. you sound too kind OP

They are asking for a CV+covering letter. I think you are right and I need to step back, I just feel awkward now I've agreed to help and its not really a big task.

If he said, yeah, I struggle with written stuff, I could have suggested maybe mentioning that it wasnt his strong point and that he would appreciate some support with that aspect of the role, but I think he is too proud to admit it.

I also suspect this is why he is applying for so many jobs and getting nowhere, which always surprised me, given how skilled and personable he is....he's not getting interviews because he cant write an application.

That sounds like the reason Cail. I wonder if there is a way (this time only perhaps?) of meeting the situation half-way and doing a cover letter which is 'adequate' grammar/spell check wise etc but does not over-sell his written abilities? And maybe be quite busy if this situation comes up again? Would that work?

He needs to do a course or at least get checked for dyslexia or something- it’s so sad if there are loads of jobs he could do and literacy is what’s holding him back

I agree with the poster upthread that suggested sending it back to him and getting him to write the final draft before you go through it.

It sounds like he needs additional help, but has resisted OP's efforts to gently push him in that direction. People may have tried before. For whatever reason, self-esteem, denial or other, he isn't yet at a stage where he is willing/able to take it on board. He may never be, but OP has already gone above and beyond to help and it would seem come to a dead end with this aspect of it.

If he went to a company to get help with these things, they wouldn't hesitate. I would do it for him, but also make him aware of just how bad his English is and point out he would struggle with the written part of the job.

I would back away

You haven’t introduced him to the people recruiting I hope?

I think you are possibly over estimating the impact of dyslexia, assuming he even has dyslexia. I have two friends with severe dyslexia in jobs where good written work is v important. They got on just fine by using spellchecks and other techniques.

Yeah, I was asking about dyslexia a bit of an euphemismically. I know people with dyslexia usually have strategies to overcome their difficulties and this seems to be more a basic literacy issue. In the end I compromised and sent him back a document formatted in a letter format with a beginning and ending for him to complete the substantive.

No, I havent introduced him to the employers, I know someone who works there which is how I came to hear about the job.

The employers are responsible for themselves. No need to worry on behalf of corporations.

Do the letter.

If he gets the job it is then his to try and keep.

Lots of people get professional help with their CV and cover letter, personally I'd give him some help to try and get the job.
With regard to the cv and letter, just gently tell him recruiters won't shortlist someone with a bad cv and cover letter so it's important to get it right. I'm wondering if he's just being lazy?

I would do the letter, many people get help. A good letter may help him get noticed and then the rest is up to him.

It isn't your issue to worry on behalf of the business. Many many applicants have someone else write their applications for them. It isn't problem. I have been in a similar situation. Write the cover letter a few steps up from their ability not to the top of your ability. That way you are still doing them a kindness but it isn't so far away from the truth. If they are good in all the other ways this one issue can be over come once they are in position. Don't over think it.

I’d just do a very basic draft of the letter with a few pointers for him to elaborate on and tell him he should finish it as it needs to reflect him.

I would go back to him and say 'oh I've really run out of time this weekend, tell you what, can you take it up to final draft (give a couple of pointers) and then I'll do a quick sweep of it for any typos before you send it?'

@custardbear

Lots of people get professional help with their CV and cover letter, personally I'd give him some help to try and get the job. With regard to the cv and letter, just gently tell him recruiters won't shortlist someone with a bad cv and cover letter so it's important to get it right. I'm wondering if he's just being lazy?

The CV was fine as a bog-standard but boring CV. But its hard to convey how poor the original letter was. Its not just a laziness issue, I dont believe he would be capable of writing a letter on his own to a standard that would be acceptable.

Anyway, he;s done it and sent it in now, so no longer my issue.

Thanks for all the advice