3 Candidates Submit the Same Cover Letter!

I'm on the prowl for a part-time editorial assistant in the New York area at a major non-profit organization.  The job was posted two weeks ago and has yielded over 450 resumes.  What started out as an exciting task of expanding my skeleton staff has turned into a harsh reminder of how bleak things are out there in the (un)employment world - especially for people with a writing/communications/journalism background.

Dozens of applicants have Ivy League educations.  Hundreds have advanced degrees. And almost every single person is over-qualified for the $16-an-hour gig.  The biggest challenge, from a hiring perspective, is finding someone who will stick around for at least six months.  

Wading through a sea of applicants is tough work.  But three candidates made my life easy.  They gave me the opportunity to reject them instantly. Why?

They each used the EXACT SAME COVER LETTER!

B-U-S-T-E-D

What tipped me off was that each started with a relatively out-of-left-field wording:

Building.
 
It's what I do for a living.
 
No, not in the traditional hammer and nail sense, but in the business sense-whether it's building a marketplace for a product or service, building a series of original campaigns, or building lasting relationships.

Those words, and the entire letter was lifted from How to Say It on Your Resume, a book released earlier this year and available on Google Books.

Cracking the case wasn't hard, but resisting the urge to call each candidate in for an interview and embarrassing them was!

I understand why candidates do it.  But when you get caught, you look like a royal a-hole.  Here's why foolish people engage.

- No penalty.  The worst thing that happens is that they are not hired.

- They can apply for a higher # of jobs.  Copying the work of another lets you spend more time sending out resumes, therefore, allowing you to apply for more jobs.

- No work on their end.  People are lazy.  Imagine hiring one of these theiving leaches?

At least make a few alterations and make it your own!  Sending in the same letter verbatim is pathetic.

In my opinion, if you get caught, you should be blacklisted.  Perhaps I'll start a Website that outs resume and cover letter plagiarists, ensuring that they never work again.

What do you think?  Should these copy cat applicants be outed to the world?

Comments

[carmen]

I think they should be outed - especially if they are applying for a job in the journalism field! OUT THEM! That's ridiculous, raggedy and wrong! Those books are to be used as guides, not to copy and paste!!! All that proves is that they can read...

[Ben Eubanks]

I don't think stupidity should follow someone around forever, because we've all done stupid at some point or another. But I certainly think they should get a little reminder of how stupid it is. Maybe send each a letter/email with a compliment for finding such a good book to plagiarize from? :-)

[David]

So they made a really, really stupid mistake. I don't think it's your responsibility to hamper their job search as a result. Do them a favor and let them know they've been busted (via phone call, as opposed to calling them in for an "interview," getting their hopes up, and then embarrassing them). Who knows? They may be in a position to help you out in the future and will remember the consideration.

[Daniel Harbinger]

I strongly disagree with the comments above. Plagiarism is a SERIOUS offense. It is the equivalent of stealing and those who are dumb enough to get caught should be punished, and if that means having the stigma of "THIEF" attached to them, then so be it. How would you like it if someone lifted your words and used them for their own gain? That's money out of the author's pocket!

[Andrew G. Rosen]

People make mistakes and I would never be the guy to brand someone for life. However, when considering the risk/reward of plagiarizing a cover letter or resume, it crystallized in my head why so many people do it. Perhaps if people were held accountable when busted it would help cure the problem. I can see where both camps are coming from and I appreciate the intelligent dialogue!

[Robin Bectel]

Its obviously wrong and bad form for a journalist to lift other's work and claim it as their own. That said, I would think a hiring manager is legally constrained from sharing information with the world that supplied by a job candidate and naming the job candidate. If they aren't legally constrained, they should be morally so. I don't like the idea that we "out" anyone who ticks us off. I don't have a problem with using the example in a blog posting or article as was done here, but naming names is equally bad form and possibly illegal as well.

[Jeremy]

I vote for the Wall of Shame!

[Nancy]

With due respect, Robin, as a writer and artist, I may be a bit hypersensitive, but violating copyright is illegal. So for me, it goes way beyond "bad form." To a lesser degree, how honorable and trustworthy would that job applicant be if he thinks nothing of stealing a sample cover letter. And huge points off for lack of creativity.

[Candice]

I think blacklisting is a rather harsh punishment. As someone with a degree in journalism, I know how serious an offense plagiarism is; however, I think it would be better to help them see the error of their ways and hope they learn a valuable lesson than to punish them by thwarting their efforts to find a job. That's pretty serious, too. Why not send each applicant a copy of each cover letter and ask if they're trying to increase their chances of landing an interview by applying as three different people? You could lower the boom on them in a P.S. that lets them know that you know they plagiarized and from what publication.

[Ann]

I tend toward kindness. I'd advise the three of them about your discovery and tell them you are throwing out their applications. I'd also warn them that plagiarism is a serious offense and that others might not let them off as easily as you have. It's amazing how many people lie and steal these days. Scary and sad.

By the way, I don't think I'm overqualified and $16 an hour sounds damn good to me!

:)
Ann

[Eddie]

I'm torn on how I would handle this. Plagarism is illegal, but so is speeding. I don't think I'd expend an effort to correct their wrong doing. This was not a mistake, it was blatant. It is sad that people submit excerpts from a book with the intention of getting hired.... what would be worse is if someone actually hires one of them.

[Laura Paris]

Hey Thank you very much for the advice given on this article. your site is very nice and very helpful. thanks again.... :) :)

[Holy]

Thats interesting and fun reading it. I liked your blog. You have done a good job sharing this with us and your experience is also awesome one i would say. Well do let us if any such more instances.

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[lalit]

if the guy doesnt have enough time to pay attention to his cover letter what use he/she will be in the job ?

[Cha]

LOL! I like your phrase "Should these copy cat applicants be outed to the world? Those people didn't know the value of uniqueness and professionalism. They didn't realized that in a competitive market, a cover letter can give you a serious edge if they are written and presented effectively.

Cha
http://www.samplecoverletter.info

[Cover Letters Examples]

Very helpful blog! I had a great time reading around your posts as I read it extensively, keep going.

[How To Write A Cover Letter For A Resume]

It is always great to stumble upon blogs helping people with their cover letter writing abilities. There is so much more to writing a cover letter than most would think. It is important to have good quality is in your letter so that employers don't just toss it aside after first glance.