Job application etiquette

SteveDallas · 12-17-2006, 05:09 PM

I'm applying for a job. I found it on Monster. They listed themselves as confidential.

However in the course of the job description they accidentally mentioned the name of the company.

When writing my cover letter, should I pretend I didn't notice? Or should I be blatant about it? (It goes without saying that in either case I'll dig up whatever dirt I can find to use.)

lumberjim · 12-17-2006, 05:30 PM

if they mentioned the co. name in the description, they more than likely filled out the monster listing incorrectly.

SteveDallas · 12-17-2006, 05:41 PM

Context leads me to suspect that they did intend to be confidential--they repeatedly use third-person language like "our company is the leading supplier of X in New England." In the middle of a laundry list of responsibilities they talked about developing strategic relationships between Company X and external partners.

Aliantha · 12-17-2006, 05:42 PM

I'd say go ahead and mention it. I don't know what sort of job it is you're applying for, but in most cases, employers prefer honesty from their staff, so you might as well open a frank discussion about what you plan to do for them if they like your application.

JayMcGee · 12-17-2006, 06:34 PM

Que?

Why would anyone apply for a postion for an un-named company?

Undertoad · 12-17-2006, 07:28 PM

What you do is ignore it, but use the information to your advantage. Look up their details and figure out what their needs are.

monster · 12-17-2006, 07:39 PM

Do you know why they would want to hide the name? Unless there's a damn good/obvious reason for them to hide it and you to "resoect" that, then if it's natural flow of things for you to mention it in your application, I would do so. Maybe it's a test? Whatever the reason they neglected to hid it, if it were me, I'd want to hire the observant applicant rather than the one who didn't notice or pretended not to in order to brown-nose.

Aliantha · 12-17-2006, 07:42 PM

A lot of companies hide the name of their company because they use employment agencies to do the initial round of interviews. This is time saving of course. So, hiding the name saves the employing company from a) having people just show up wanting to press their case when it's not convenient and, b) makes life easier for the employment agencies.

Undertoad · 12-17-2006, 07:44 PM

That's particularly true in SD's line of work, where agencies are used regularly. Often you can find 3-4 agencies all listing the same position.

SteveDallas · 12-17-2006, 08:01 PM

And all the agencies are fucking incompetent. (Just my experience, mind.)

monster · 12-17-2006, 08:05 PM

And if that is the only reason for not providing the name, then there's no real reason not to mention it. That said, doubt it'll do you much good until you get past the agencies.

Good Luck with it all.

Beestie · 12-17-2006, 08:08 PM

If you let on that you know the company name, the agency will not forward your resume since they will assume you have already contacted the company directly.

Contact the company directly.

Clodfobble · 12-17-2006, 08:21 PM

I don't think it's going to matter one way or another to the company. The listing was either put up by an agency, or by some low-level HR assistant, and either way the decision-maker who actually looks at your resume is going to simply assume the company name was in the listing, they'll never even consider the possibility that you were all clever in finding it among all the other generic instances in the listing.

On the other hand, if there is even the slightest chance that you will ever use this cover letter as a template for another application, by including a company name you will be setting yourself up for a real screwup by accidentall leaving the wrong company in the letter. I say generic is safer.

monster · 12-17-2006, 09:20 PM

In the light of all this expert advice, I change my vote to don't mention it.

Is beestie's suggestion to go straight to the company viable? or will they brush you off because they don't want to deal with first stage applications?

Beestie · 12-17-2006, 09:28 PM

Going straight to the company means they don't have to pay a fee to an agency. They'll be happy about that.

I just noticed you are in Ann Arbor. I was just there last Monday. Bought some Christmas presents in some of those cool shops down on Main Street. Didn't see Bob Seger, tho.

View Poll Results: Should I mention the name of the company?
No, just ignore it in your letter	7	46.67%
Yes, you might as well	8	53.33%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll

12-17-2006, 05:09 PM	#1
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Job application etiquette I'm applying for a job. I found it on Monster. They listed themselves as confidential. However in the course of the job description they accidentally mentioned the name of the company. When writing my cover letter, should I pretend I didn't notice? Or should I be blatant about it? (It goes without saying that in either case I'll dig up whatever dirt I can find to use.) Last edited by SteveDallas; 12-17-2006 at 05:13 PM.

12-17-2006, 05:30 PM	#2
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	if they mentioned the co. name in the description, they more than likely filled out the monster listing incorrectly. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

12-17-2006, 05:42 PM	#4
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I'd say go ahead and mention it. I don't know what sort of job it is you're applying for, but in most cases, employers prefer honesty from their staff, so you might as well open a frank discussion about what you plan to do for them if they like your application. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-17-2006, 06:34 PM	#5
JayMcGee Cardigan-wearing man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Much Binding In The Marsh Posts: 1,082	Que? Why would anyone apply for a postion for an un-named company? __________________ I like wearing cardigans...... my current favourite is an orange cable-knit with real leatherette buttons.

12-17-2006, 05:41 PM	#3
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Context leads me to suspect that they did intend to be confidential--they repeatedly use third-person language like "our company is the leading supplier of X in New England." In the middle of a laundry list of responsibilities they talked about developing strategic relationships between Company X and external partners.

12-17-2006, 07:28 PM	#6
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	What you do is ignore it, but use the information to your advantage. Look up their details and figure out what their needs are.

12-17-2006, 07:39 PM	#7
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Do you know why they would want to hide the name? Unless there's a damn good/obvious reason for them to hide it and you to "resoect" that, then if it's natural flow of things for you to mention it in your application, I would do so. Maybe it's a test? Whatever the reason they neglected to hid it, if it were me, I'd want to hire the observant applicant rather than the one who didn't notice or pretended not to in order to brown-nose. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

12-17-2006, 07:42 PM	#8
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	A lot of companies hide the name of their company because they use employment agencies to do the initial round of interviews. This is time saving of course. So, hiding the name saves the employing company from a) having people just show up wanting to press their case when it's not convenient and, b) makes life easier for the employment agencies. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-17-2006, 07:44 PM	#9
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	That's particularly true in SD's line of work, where agencies are used regularly. Often you can find 3-4 agencies all listing the same position.

12-17-2006, 08:01 PM	#10
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	And all the agencies are fucking incompetent. (Just my experience, mind.)

12-17-2006, 08:05 PM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	And if that is the only reason for not providing the name, then there's no real reason not to mention it. That said, doubt it'll do you much good until you get past the agencies. Good Luck with it all. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

12-17-2006, 08:08 PM	#12
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	If you let on that you know the company name, the agency will not forward your resume since they will assume you have already contacted the company directly. Contact the company directly. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

12-17-2006, 08:21 PM	#13
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I don't think it's going to matter one way or another to the company. The listing was either put up by an agency, or by some low-level HR assistant, and either way the decision-maker who actually looks at your resume is going to simply assume the company name was in the listing, they'll never even consider the possibility that you were all clever in finding it among all the other generic instances in the listing. On the other hand, if there is even the slightest chance that you will ever use this cover letter as a template for another application, by including a company name you will be setting yourself up for a real screwup by accidentall leaving the wrong company in the letter. I say generic is safer.

12-17-2006, 09:20 PM	#14
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	In the light of all this expert advice, I change my vote to don't mention it. Is beestie's suggestion to go straight to the company viable? or will they brush you off because they don't want to deal with first stage applications? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

12-17-2006, 09:28 PM	#15
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Going straight to the company means they don't have to pay a fee to an agency. They'll be happy about that. I just noticed you are in Ann Arbor. I was just there last Monday. Bought some Christmas presents in some of those cool shops down on Main Street. Didn't see Bob Seger, tho. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

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