Note #8

Letter to the editor

New York Times   

Fifty Sixth Avenue

New York                                                                                                                   October 5, 2016

After reading your article about the negative impression left upon interviewers by the casual tone of speech used by young job candidates, there are certain points that struck a chord with me and I have decided to discuss them with you. 

When firms decide to hire candidates, they take into account all aspects of the candidate’s personality, behaviour and of course the kind of language they use. No matter how qualified the applicant may be in their field of specialization, a failure to comply with some previously established conventions in the business world can detriment their chances at landing a job. This is more observable today than ever with the exponential increase in the popularity of the internet and the arrival of “text speech” into the world of linguistics. Text speech or fingered speech has been used frequently since social media gained popularity. Despite the popularity of this kind of speech, it is debatable as to what extent it can be used. Fingered speech does have an aura of informality therefore there is a limit to its usage. In formal environments such as companies, young candidates who have grown up with fingered speech as the norm falsely believe that it can be used in any context without any qualms about its consequences.

You mention the excessive and hasty use of thank you’s which is absolutely true. In a fast paced world, people increasingly fail to take the time to contemplate a piece of text deeply and give structured responses. Young workers are more likely to string together multiple unnecessary letters at the end of what should have been a simple and sincere thank you, a practice most likely carried forward from their teenage years. “From my Blackberry” at the end of the message gives the impression of disinterest and a lack of willingness to dedicate time and mental effort to the email and may sometimes be perceived as being disrespectful. The usage of emoticons, as mentioned by interviewers in your article, signals unprofessional behaviour and a lack of gravitas that is required in a formal environment. Such practices hinder the applications of job hunters, who may otherwise be stellar in other aspects. Each form of speech has certain contexts and conventions and that must be respected by these young candidates. The practice of formal communication should start from a relatively young age so the transition as an adult is not bouldery.

Monica Panigrahy