Firm tells job hopefuls: txt us ur app in 160 characters
Job hunters have been offered a mobile phone shortcut to advertise themselves to a potential employer.
A firm specialising in mobile phone services wants applicants for its marketing job to apply by text.
Teimlo, in Usk, Monmouthshire, said the 160 character limit would help sift the "more savvy" about providing content from those who "just want any job".
The advert has gone on three Twitter sites to start a "viral" campaign but will also be published in magazines.
People have until September to apply, and the company’s Phil Terrett said: "They will really have to work at the response."
But the character limit is not the only hurdle.
The final three or four who pass the text test face being interviewed by the other three staff in the firm to ensure they fit in with the "style and type of people".
Teimlo is Welsh verb for "feeling" or "to feel". The firm, founded by Mr Terrett in 2005, provides mobile phone content for firms, charities and individuals.
They include a Christian satellite television service, the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), and a tennis coach offering videos of lessons.
Mr Terrett said asking for responses by text was a way to sift out people who simply wanted to "mimic" the candidate’s qualities in the job specification.
In this case, the successful applicant needs to be "sassy, good with words", "have working knowledge of mobile and social media" and a "determined multi-tasker and networker".
He said: "When we came to needing a new marketing person, I had this brainwave of how do you sort out the people who are genuinely interested in what we do with those who just want a job
"If the text says, ‘Dear sir, I would like to apply for the position of…’ they are going to run out of space.
"They have to be a bit more creative and a lot more savvy to fit something in that’s going to make a genuine impression."
"What we want is happy fanatics at what we do, people who will fit in and understand the subject. It’s the attitude that matters."
‘Funky CV’
In fact, applicants will have four fewer characters to use than they might like, because the text reply needs to begin with the word "job", followed by a space.
Mr Terrett said the second phase of the application process would ask applicants to send in a "funky CV".
The shortlisted candidates then face being interviewed by the other staff members.
An advert for the post will be published in a couple of magazines next month, but the firm has already launched the advert on three in-house Twitter accounts – and received its first application.
Mr Terrett said he expected the successful applicant to be appointed in early September.
What do you think of making an application for a job by text message Is this an innovative way to test people’s skills or an unnecessary hurdle for job seekers
Is it something you would do If so, how would you sell yourself in "txt"
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