Creating follow-up e-mail for online applicants
Abstract
Often applicants submit online applications to AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps*VISTA without a full understanding of the program or its requirements. Habitat for Humanity of Colorado sends online applicants a follow-up e-mail with program basics, locations, start dates, more detailed job requirements, and a list of short-answer questions. Only applicants who reply to the e-mail are considered for phone interviews.Issue
Communicating program mission and requirements to applicants in traditional ways—by telephone or printed materials—can be costly and/or time consuming.Action
Sending online applicants a follow-up e-mail helps to inform them and narrow the pool of qualified candidates. Only those who reply to the e-mail are considered for phone interviews.
Only about 10 percent of applicants reply to the e-mail. Promising applicants are given a second chance to reply, and a follow-up phone call to be sure that they received the e-mail.
Text of follow-up e-mail:
Thank you for your interest in the Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps*VISTA positions in Colorado. Due to the high volume of applications we receive through the on-line recruitment system at www.americorps.org, I would like to request that you spend a few minutes providing brief answers to the following questions via e-mail. Replies or additional questions may be sent to programs@habitatcolorado.org. Pertinent program information is given below.
Please save the following information for future reference:
- Habitat for Humanity has hosted more than 75 AmeriCorps*VISTA members in Colorado. We are currently recruiting for positions that start in early February in several areas of the state: Greeley — in northern Colorado, Denver, and several other locations.
- All AmeriCorps*VISTA positions require full-time service and do not allow other employment or school during the twelve months of AmeriCorps*VISTA service.
- Positions in Colorado pay approximately $720 per month, paid every other week with only federal tax subtracted.
- If you are relocating to serve as a AmeriCorps*VISTA member, you will receive a $500 relocation allowance to pay for deposits, etc. The Corporation for National and Community Service also pays for you to travel — either by buying plane tickets for you or reimbursing you for mileage — from your home to AmeriCorps*VISTA training to your project, IN THAT ORDER. You may move before you attend training, but the Corporation will only pay for your travel as outlined above.
- Initial phone interviews are conducted by Heidi Baker, AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Director for all Colorado Habitat affiliates. Applications are then sent to local affiliates who phone interview the candidates that fit their specific needs.
Phone interviews will take place in mid-December starting with those candidates who have replied to the questions below. - Hiring decisions will be made by January 10.
Generally, our AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve as Volunteer Coordinators and Project Managers. Some recruit and place volunteers in all areas of Habitat (construction, family services, administration, fund-raising/public relations); some recruit and train volunteers in a specific area or for a special project.
If you are not available for full-time service for twelve months starting in February, are seeking positions in a specific location, or are no longer available, please reply to programs@habitatcolorado.org to let us know your parameters for service. We do have positions open throughout the year and around the state.
Please answer the following questions:
IN WHAT CONTEXT ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY?
WHAT NEW SKILLS DO YOU HOPE TO GAIN DURING THE YEAR?
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL SUPERVISOR. DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL WORK ENVIRONMENT.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE WITH: PUBLIC SPEAKING, CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS?
DO YOU HAVE A CAR?
WHAT ARE THE BEST DAYS/TIMES TO CONTACT YOU?
Context
Not only is the full complement of national service information provided online, but it is posted with every job announcement on internal and external nonprofit job websites as well as at university job placement offices.Outcome
More qualified and enthusiastic applicants are interviewed by the project.
This practice has eliminated phone expenses and time spent explaining program basics.
Several qualified candidates have been selected and placed as a result.
Evidence
For the last placement round to fill three slots, there were 90 applicants; even interviewing only 10 percent provided a 3:1 applicant-to-slot ratio. This is about the same ratio of applicants interviewed before the online recruitment system, but provides a systematic way to reduce the larger numbers of applications received due to the ease of the online application. (The numbers are high because this is a popular project due to its national identity and favorable geographic location, also because the position is posted to three national and Habitat for Humanity websites as well as one statewide nonprofit job list.)Posted On
November 12, 2001For More Information