Why You’re Not Getting Responses From Job Applications:

I advertise jobs at times, so I thought I’d pass on how I do it and (perhaps) point out the reason you’re NOT getting that gig.?

If you don’t want to read it all then down the bottom you’ll find my Job Application Tips.

Also I'd LOVE to hear your 'tips' and things that make candidates stand out for you - however quirky.

When I post a job advert I always set out (usually by numbering them) three points that you must complete in your application. I even leave a line between them! I even write “Three Simple Application Steps” before the (numbered) points.

I’m making this too easy right?

Nope.

You wouldn’t believe the amount of people that DON’T follow simple instructions.

My last advert had these points (word for word taken from my last advert):

(The full text from the advert is at the bottom of this article)

1> Please send?your CV and?an MP3 demo (ONLY send an MP3 demo - links to audio will NOT be clicked)… send a production demo too if you have one.

2> No more than 3 minutes for your presentation demo (but beware I may contact you asking for more) … please note I want a solo demo… demos with co-hosts won’t make the cut. I’m hiring 1 person, not 2.

3> Read the points in the advert above and cover them all in your covering letter/email.

Simple right?

I swear to you that 95% of the applicants didn’t do this…

The massive majority sent me links to websites, sent me videos (yep videos!!), didn’t send CVs, sent CVs with glaring errors - either in spelling or syntax, (one guy sent his CV written in the third person as a freekin’ life story – biography type of thing!!!), cover letters with the standard “To Whom It Concerns”, people with zero experience in the job applying… seriously people who have never worked at a radio station think they can do this job! One guy a few adverts ago asked for ‘share options in my company’ in his actual application letter! Then there’s a person who actually emailed saying “Hi I’ll apply properly Monday”, then on Thursday has the audacity to email me asking questions before he applies properly. Nah mate you’re gone!... then the people that apply to me on Facebook!! Errrrr nope. The people that tried to Facebook call me. The person that mentioned in their cover letter that my gig would be “good experience”… EXPERIENCE!!!!????...

In fact (digressing for a second), just today I received an email from a guy wanting to work at our new rock station. I replied earlier this morning to his ‘out of the blue’ first email asking about his experience. He replied later today saying, “I’m sorry i have no professional experience in this but i am in a band here so i have a decent idea of what’s supposed to be played and whats not”

That’s kinda like me saying, “Well I drive a car so you should give me a job as a mechanic.”

When I get down to the nitty gritty of hiring someone and the next stage of your application… I throw it on its head. I look for reasons NOT to hire you. That’s right, I’m NOT looking to hire you. I’m looking for reasons NOT to.

Let me explain.

So, I’ve got maybe 10 people on my ‘shortlist’. These 10 people would have been the (very few) people who actually followed my (simple) instructions. Now I’m going through those applications, audio, covering letters with a fine-tooth comb. I’m checking you out on social media, I’m looking at your website, I’m Googling you. I’m calling people who you’ve worked for or with before. I’m building up a profile. I’m looking for anything that’s a red flag.

Now we have all worked with people we have clashed with. And I have hired people in the past who didn't get a glowing review from someone I've spoken to about them... it's my call but I'm finding out all I can. Why should I spend thousands (flights, hotels, visas, car hire) to make your first few months great for you personally if there’s a reason I shouldn't hire you.

It actually pisses me off a little bit if I can't find anything... and invariably I'm going to pick up the phone and talk to you.

Y’see you in your head think you should get the job. You’ve applied and that’s it… how dare I not even respond to your application.

I’ve been in media for over 30 years, and I too have applied and was annoyed by the lack of responses. So, when I made it to management and was in a position of hiring, I made it my mission to reply to everyone. Mistake. You see when I (as nicely) as I do reply and point out where people went wrong, some ‘constructive feedback’ most people don’t even acknowledge my email, a simple “Hey thanks Robin” would be great… nope no reply… there is the odd ‘thanks’ reply and even the scarcer “jeez you’re right and thank you for pointing those things out” and then there’s the people that reply and want to argue. Seriously my feedback is always honest and pointing out why they weren’t selected. They tell me how wrong I am. How crap I am and even slag me off on social media (seriously).

The Robin Banks Media (Radio) Job Application Tips:

1>?Read the bloody advert correctly and follow any instructions to the letter!

2>?If it’s a radio station, media publication then do some research. Know the brand, know the vibe… in this day and age with social media this is the simplest thing you can do.

3>?Stroke the ego! We all love getting positive messages. Do that in your application.

4>?Stop using crappy email templates that you learned in school. You wouldn’t believe the amount of applications that begin “I’m applying for the position of XXXXX as seen in XXXX please find attached my CV blah blah blah”… Disrupt, dare to be different, make me pay attention to YOU from the 300+ emails that I have to get through.

5>?Don’t (blatantly) lie in your CV. I’ll find out.

6>?Show off. Tell me the big ‘image’ companies you’ve worked for. Make them stand out on your CV and covering email. Mention them as soon as you can.

7>?Don’t apply from your phone! As soon as I see “Sent From My iPhone” etc I think know you can’t be bothered.

8>?If I ask for 3 minutes of audio, then give me 3 minutes and not a second more. But I will ask you for more so have it ready!

9>?Find out about the company, the culture. If the job is in a foreign country then research it.

Now just so you know I’m not kicking up a fuss over nothing and there is a point to this… here’s the actual advert I posted (they’re all more or less like this). Who wouldn't spend the time to nail their application for this?

Please note that I have filled this role… but y’know you can email me to say ‘hello’ if you like… just don’t ask for shares. :)

RB

Actual advert from Radio Today from October 2022:

We are looking for an outstanding presenter and Head of Music to come hang out with us misfits in Oman.

There's a tax-free package, return flights home every year, medical insurance and you get to be on the radio every weekday.

Added to this you’ll be responsible for our brand-new classic rock radio station, launching within the next 2 months! Yesss!

The Successful Candidate Must Have:

1> Expert knowledge of Myriad/Autotrack/music scheduling and can schedule the beejeepers out of Hi FM (CHR) and the new rock station.

Knows the difference between Top 40 and Rock music scheduling…

Knows about packeting/rules/dayparting/rolling clocks etc etc.

2> Preferably has a degree of any type.

3> Is great on the radio.

4> Can liaise with clients and write decent advert copy.

5> Can work under a lot of pressure… from Sales wanting things on YESTERDAY…

6> Preferably has a knowledge of Aiir… our website provider.

7> Can do videos/graphics etc (not essential but good).

8> Is a perfectionist and has super HIGH standards - 'that'll do' just won't cut it!

9> Has production skills… you’ll get to use the Rolls Royce of production libraries… promos/IDs/power intros etc… Hi FM sounds HOT!

We are a great crowd to work for with an awesome owner who “gets it”.

You’ll have exceptional attention to detail – “close enough” is not good enough!

PLEASE find out about Oman before you apply, do your homework.

At least 3 years radio experience an absolute necessity.

Three Simple Application Steps:

1> Please send?your CV and?an MP3 demo (ONLY send an MP3 demo - links to audio will NOT be clicked)… send a production demo too if you have one.

2> No more than 3 minutes for your presentation demo (but beware I may contact you asking for more audio!!) … please note I want a solo demo… demos with co-hosts won’t make the cut. I'm hiring 1 person, not 2.

3> Read the points in the main advert body above and cover them all in your covering letter/email.

Send your application stuff direct to me at [email protected]

Please note that I will reply to only people that make my shortlist... good luck.

****AGAIN PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED****