Another Employer That Just Doesn't Get It

Yet another idiot has invited me to the party and I wanted to share. Below is an e-mail from a recruiter from The Harris Corporation, "inviting" me to apply for a position that they feel I'm a very good fit for. It's for a Software Engineer. As you all know, not only am I an amazing Software Engineer but I also wrote the code for Google, Windows, and Xbox Live. For those of you who know me, you are aware that I know nothing about software engineering, nor am I qualified/interested in such a position.

Here is the initial e-mail:

From: careers@usa-jobsite.net
Subject: Darryl, Technology/Science employment opportunity
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 14:02:05 -0500

Dear Darryl,

In a recent review of online resumes, I was impressed by your qualifications and background. One of our clients, the Harris Corporation, needs to hire a Software Engineer. I think you may be a solid candidate and would like to invite you to apply.

The Harris Corporation is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications products, systems, and services for global markets, including government, RF, and broadcast communications, and wireless transmission network solutions.

Employees of the Harris Corporation have the freedom to explore new ideas and work with cutting-edge technology. Harris offers very competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package to all of their employees.

To access an online application for the Harris Corporation Software Engineer position, please click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your browser.

[LINK REMOVED...I don't trust you people!]

After you submit your application, you can expect to be contacted within one to two business days. We're looking forward to speaking with you soon!

Regards,
David Chapman
Sr. Recruiter, HR Division

And here is my response:

Mr. Chapman,

Thank you for your consideration but you are so far off the radar that this is obviously a form letter sent to thousands of e-mail address that you or somebody in your organization "mined" off a job-based website. If you REALLY reviewed my resume you would know that not only am I not interested in a job as a software engineer, but I am not even qualified to hold such a position.

Is it the Harris Corporation's policy to blindly solicit applicants for their open positions regardless of qualifications or even interest? If that's the case then I am clearly concerned about the quality and ability of those who are applying for your jobs and subsequently those that you fill the open positions with.

Harris has long been a large company with many sectors, including those with Federal Government contracts. Do you solicit this way for those positions too? Do your government COTRs know that? Similarly, do the job sites where you seem to gather these resumes from know that you are "mining" their sites for information? My thought is that they do not and that you don't share this information with them.

In closing, I am no interested in your Software Engineer applications and I will strongly encourage anybody I know to similarly turn down a similar offering with Harris, even if they are qualified and potentially interested. I strongly encourage you to reassess your email recruitment policies to avoid this kind of communication in the future.

Sincerely,
Darryl

Do you think I was too harsh? Me neither. If this e-mail address works for him I will let you know and ask you to also send him a nice note.