Engrish

Once I came back from Marrakech at the end of November, one of the goals at the top of my list was to hire a personal assistant.  The thing with my job is that I am so busy, I really need an assistant to help me do this!  I’m a day or two away from hiring one of three young ladies who would all be able to make a nice contribution to the role and have a good chance to develop their skills in Sales & Marketing.

During the search process, I have read scores of resumes.  The Sales & Marketing Assistant really needs to speak English fluently.  There have been numerous applicants who list their skills as “advanced” but who clearly have not yet grasped the language.

I’ve interviewed for a variety for positions throughout this last year, particularly as we have hired a few Sales Executives. What surprises me every time I ask this question in this country is the selfishness of the answer.  The question being, “Why should I choose you?”  The answer is often along the lines of, “Because I can get good experience and really improve my skills.”  So totally NOT what we would say in the US or other Western countries.  Yet, this is hands-down the most common way this question is answered.  And it’s one tiny aspect of a cultural difference I have not gotten my head around.

To leave you on an entertaining note, I thought I would include one of my favorite cover letters I received from an applicant for my assistant.  And this is not even the worst one!  But this also gives you a small glimpse as to the level of English I deal with on a daily basis and the skills I’ve developed over the last several years to be able to sift through this garbled nonsense and capture the essence of the meaning.  Special talent, people!  ;p

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have known that your company is looking a Sales & Marketing assistant and I felt strongly interested in applying for the vacancy.

I graduated from Ha Noi University of Culture in June of 2007 and major in books & magazines business operation.

In my university, I was educated all basic knowledge about business field such as: Sales, Marketing, macroeconimics..and related others such as: method of managing and arranging system of document, data, equipment, chains of distribution books, magazines…

Otherwise, I was taught and practiced not only some basic clerical skills but also other specialist skills such as: research market, care service customers…

So besides, my computer ability for using Microsoft Office package and office equipments( phone, scan,fax, photocopy machine…) effectively as well as basic economic knowledge can useful for your work well.

Especially, I had 2 years experienced working in a Sales department as an order handler for big buyers such as Europe, America in a foreign company of the garment field gave me many chances to communicate with many foreigners directly or by many communication transports such as: phone, email in order to improve my communication skills by English …

Besides such a dynamic and complicated working environtment helped me to learn how manage time, informations, risk.. to give the best solution towards stragetical targets. 

And assistant’s duty made me improve negotiation, persuading skill, making report and minutes and following, analyzing, collecting, balancing number,data skill 

Because of my major to choosy buyers and diversity of exported order I must work independently under the high pressure as well as co-operate well with my colleagues to archieve common goals.

I believe that with my enthusiasm, ability, knowledge and experience, I can contribute to your company’s success. I hope to be a part of your company. The attached resume is enclosed with more details of my qualification.

I look forward to hearing good new from you soon.

Under Experience, an interesting job title:

Human Assistant

One highlight under “Referees” (versus references):

Comment:A patient and unfear of hardship female staff to find the best way in her work.

I believe that with her experience and ability , she will get new suprising result in her career.

Have a great day everyone!