Job Applicants…Stop Writing In Emoji :)

Today’s forms of communication look eerily similar to hieroglyphics. And it seems the further we come along in our ability to communicate through devices, the cruder people’s true ability to communicate becomes.

What is post mail?

What do you mean, there are no words to describe it?

Is the thank you note extinct?

Where has the cover letter gone?

Language Skills for the Job Applicant

Have you read the book The Giver? I recently had the opportunity to watch the premiere of the film adaptation. There is a very distinct goal in this movie for the characters: “precision of language”. It’s the difference between apologizing and being sorry; between hungry and ravenous. Word choice matters.

The same day that I watched the The Giver, I–along with the world–found out about the death of comedian and actor, Robin Williams. As quotes memorializing Williams and his films plastered my Facebook feed, the one that continued to stand out was from Dead Poets Society:

“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys—to woo women—and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do.”

Woo The Employer

Job applicants! You are trying to woo your potential employer! Think precision of language!

Dnt b lazy n do min 2 get by.

There is no reason to even expend the amount of energy it takes to be lazy! Employers are not interested in lazy. Channel your pre-1970’s self. Use your SAT vocabulary words. Consult Emily Post.

Job applicants, I plead with you, stop writing in Emojis and text acronyms. Use your language to invoke feelings and convey meaning. It will set you apart from your competition. Trust me on this, you want to be set apart from your competition. Employers are looking for that special spark. Make the choice to set yourself apart. Afterall, “It’s the choosing that’s important, isn’t it?”

For Hiring Managers faced with emoji-filled applications, ExactHire’s Applicant Tracking System includes features that can quickly score and filter applications. Contact us today to learn more!

Image credit: Eustace emoji cropped by Fred Benenson (contact)