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Letters

If You Really Want That Job . . .

Credit...Daniel Salmieri

To the Editor:

Re “How Not to Get a Job” (Op-Ed, July 8):

Allan Ripp’s dismay at the avalanche of unqualified applicants after a job is posted online is understandable, but partly misplaced. Where did all these immature, careless job-hoppers come from? They are the inhabitants of the “gig” economy, the involuntary contingent work force that many people want desperately to escape.

After a few years of brief temporary placements, they long for real jobs with career potential. They find the job market complicated and overwhelming, and often have no idea how to go about a job search.

The online application process looks deceptively easy, inviting job seekers simply to upload their résumés and hit “send.” They are advised to make the résumés algorithm-friendly, with plenty of key words, and apply for everything.

Employers need to use other tools besides posting on the big job boards. They could hire a contract recruiter and ramp up their own networking to find potential candidates. Job hunters need to submit customized résumés and cover letters that show, at the very least, that they know what job they’re applying for.

TOM BALLANTYNE, MONTARA, CALIF.

The writer is a career counselor and coach.

To the Editor:

Allan Ripp describes the numerous job e-applications he has received from astonishingly unqualified job seekers.

At my company, we have eliminated this problem. We accept applications only on paper, in an envelope and delivered to our door by the Postal Service or other courier. Only the extremely well-qualified take the time needed to reply.

CORNELIUS N. GROVE, BROOKLYN

To the Editor:

I thoroughly enjoyed Allan Ripp’s essay. I am a job seeker on Indeed.com and check my very specific alert daily. I expect to get leads for part-time job offers to teach or tutor Spanish, English and/or English as a Second Language within 15 miles of my home.

Well, most of the leads point me to job offers in faraway states that require teaching licenses in physics or chemistry. Further, why am I being offered full-time executive assistant or elder care positions at $12 an hour?

Out of about 50 leads, only one may be relevant to me. So while on the site I waste much time filtering out what is completely not applicable to me. Point well taken and explained, Mr. Ripp. I feel validated.

CLARA E. DOMB, ENCINO, CALIF.

To the Editor:

Allan Ripp bemoans the high volume of vague and inapplicable résumés he has to sort through, and lays much of the blame at the feet of smartphone culture, but somehow doesn’t note that, even faced with a low unemployment rate, hirers are still demanding years of highly specialized experience even for entry-level positions, most of which pay far below a living wage.

As such, what is an applicant to do but submit a résumé and hope that the ideal candidate the company is seemingly banking on doesn’t wander into the H.R. office?

Not all careers can be learned on the job, but until companies once again become willing to invest in their work forces through training, salary or both (as opposed to championing minimal compensation and high turnover to shore up their bottom lines), I’m not sure what they’re expecting in return.

CRAIG GABRIELSEN, CHESTER, N.J.

To the Editor:

Allan Ripp’s frustration with his hiring efforts is understandable, yet the wider picture should be analyzed before attributing blame to those seeking employment.

The internet job-search system has created a morass of endlessly detailed job descriptions by employers; absurd personality tests; and sterile “communication” between job seeker and employer.

Applicants have no choice but to apply to as many positions as possible, because they compete with large numbers of others, and they know that their chances of being noticed or showing their potential are low.

Mr. Ripp is impatient with applicants whose credentials he thinks don’t match his needs. Think of the stress and dismay of the job seekers.

LIZA CLAYSON, NEW HAVEN

A version of this article appears in print on  , Section A, Page 18 of the New York edition with the headline: If You Really Want That Job . . .. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe

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