I’ve recently become a fan of the Ask A Manager blog. Her recent post about people trying to get their resumes read runs an amazing parallel to what happened to me last week. (Must be something in the soup.)

Here are my thoughts: If you want your resume considered for a high-level position, the LAST thing to do is irritate someone who might have an influence on the hiring decision.

The background:

My company, Leadership Development, Inc., is incorporated in the State of Idaho.

Last year, a company incorporated in Dallas, Texas—also named Leadership Development, Inc.,—acquired a Boise-area client. The Dallas-area company performs screening and hiring services, and they place ads on popular websites for job seekers (Monster, Careerbuilder, etc).

The problem:

Their Boise-area client doesn’t want anyone to know who they are. So, when the Dallas-area Leadership Development company places the ad, they put their own name in the “name of business” box. Hence, when resourceful people do an Internet search for Leadership Development, Inc. in Boise … VOILA — there’s my company website. Before long I’m inundated with phone calls asking for a particular individual whose name is listed on the job listed as the person to whom you should send your resume.

The attempted solution:

I’ve contacted the company in Dallas, but there doesn’t seem to be much she can do differently. However, she did say that if anyone calls or sends me their resume, I should not forward their information on nor give out her phone number, because if they can’t follow the instructions to “email their resume” then they can’t follow instructions and don’t qualify for the job.

The ignoramous:

This past week one person kept calling, insisting to talk with the woman listed in the ad. I tried explaining the situation but he kept talking over me, insisting I let him speak with the woman listed in the ad or give him her phone number. Finally, I calmly asked his name and for what position he was applying. He must have felt like he was getting somewhere, but I now had the info I needed. I tried explaining the situation one more time, but he just talked over me, as before.

The final solution:

After deciding “enough” and hanging up on the guy, I called the company in Dallas. I gave the woman the guys name and told her what happened …. I doubt he’ll get the job.

Bottom line: The age of gimmicks is over. When applying for a job, follow the instructions. If you qualify for the job, great! If not, you probably wouldn’t enjoy it anyway. And by all means, do NOT be rude and obnoxious to someone who might have the slightest influence in whether your resume sees the light of day.

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Filed in Management, Job Seeking, Interviewing