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How not to get web design working
I occasionally get web design for my website. I wanted to find a company that this could happen to. So I put an ad on a separate site. It specified the necessary programming qualifications, stated that the selected candidate must have good English and it was only for companies.
The responses I received were illuminating. So much so, I made a list of things applicants did wrong. Here it is.
I should point out that I was initially prepared to give everyone a fair chance. After the first twenty emails, my attitude changed. I was looking for reasons to drop applicants. I just needed a successful one; With 100 responses it was becoming a headache, so I decided a brutal approach was needed.
1. The specification could not be read.
Many applicants were unable to write correctly in the English language. Many were just individuals. Result: instant removal.
2. The specification criterion could not be addressed.
Applicants bragged about how good they were. Many standard marketing users copied and pasted 'solutions' and 'associations' into their emails.
To attract anyone's interest in a proposal, you need to talk less about yourself and more about the benefits to * them * of using it. One of the first things I learned about applying for a job is that it must show how you meet the criteria in the job description; See if you can find the employer wavelength.
3. Lots of jargon.
You quickly disconnect this. Anyone dealing with web companies probably gets a lot from this. Applicants should talk to the customer about * the customer's * site * and * their * needs, and avoid tech talk.
Write a request letter. Leave it for a while, then edit it. Brutally. Short and penetrating sentences, without nonsense. Convincing talk about how you can make a customer earn money would be a lure.
4a. 'Coming soon' customer listing pages.
You say you've worked for many clients, then put a 'coming soon' sign on the website where your client list is supposed to be. Hmmmm
4b. Pages "under construction" on your company's website.
This looks bad; something you would see on an amateur site. Another reason to bin your app.
4c. Just post images of sites you've made, rather than links to actual sites.
I would have liked to see some sample job sites. Images may be faked and do not show programming in the background.
4e. The URL of your main website is not mentioned.
Let us guess where your own site is (if you have one). It's more fun! I tried to guess from the email address. After a while I didn't bother.
4f. There are no hyperlinks at all.
Just a short email saying "I'm a great designer, hire me." Next!
5. Using Yahoo.com or Hotmail.com for your email address.
A professional designer should not use a free email address service. Basic web hosting costs $ 5 a month these days.
I can conceive that a web designer could use a free account for some special purpose, but their own domain name is a basic advertisement that comes out in every email they send.
6. Bad spelling and grammar.
Western civilization is doomed, if the use of SMS lingo becomes the standard way of writing to people. It doesn't impress old friends like me, fr strtrs :( Especially if you are looking for a job where good spelling and grammar are important.
7. Front loading Flash designs.
I admit it, I don't like Flash. I especially don't like it when it loads slowly on my broadband connection. I guess it might impress an ignorant customer, who doesn't know the financial consequences of having a site with a lot of Flash.
8. Do not phone the employer.
Unless they say "scrutiny will disqualify," telephoning the employer is a good idea. Why? Because geeks are supposed to be introverted and have a very famous language.So if a website designer can clearly communicate on the phone, that, along with a good app, puts him at the forefront of the email-only applicant .
No need to chatter. A courteous inquiry to establish contact will do. "Just checking that you have my CV," that sort of thing.
9. Stay mysterious.
Emails are impersonal. Anything that can establish you as a human being, a person, a possible ally and friend, is good. It will make you more memorable. However, you don't need to jump off a giant cake!
10. Leave unclear phone messages.
A guy left a phone message, mentioning his site twice, but not his phone number.
11. Too far.
Most of the responses were from India, Ukraine, Romania, etc. I mention it simply as a winnowing criterion.
Also, I needed someone who could get UK resident contracts; Good English, written and oral, was important.
12. Give your hourly rates.
Forget this. You are not a lawyer. Web design jobs can be clearly defined, in terms of time, work, and required software. A final price can be agreed in advance. It is called a contract. Otherwise, you leave the customer open to growing invoices and yourself on the mission.
13. Delay in request.
The first applications were more scrutinized. After that, fatigue started. After a hundred, only an applicant that looks like a real prospect would receive more than five seconds of scrutiny.
