Hmph

So I enquired about getting some work experiance in an analytical laboratory today. What I got back was an evaluation of my spelling for the email I sent.

"Thank you for your enquiry and interest in Public Analyst work. Unfortunately I can't help with your request. I would however recommend that if you want to be considered seriously as a person who is accurate and precise you should check your spelling, I counted 7 mistakes in 20 seconds. Most employers would consider this an important aspect of laboratory reporting.
regards
Alan Richards



To: <alan.richards@durham.gov.uk>
cc:

Subject: Work Experiance

Hi there,

My name is Matt Tucknott, I am a 3rd year student at Kingston University studying for a degree in chemistry (integrated masters). I am interested in gaining some work experiance in an analytical laboratory during the summer vacation, and one of my lecturers, Dr Eileen Buckley-Dhoot, suggested that I contact someone from the public analyst's laboratory.

The reason I want to work in an analytical laboratory is one of fundamentals; the analytical process is key to all of practical chemistry, and doing it right means that results are more accurate, more precise and less erraneous. I am learning all this stuff at university but not nearly enough on a regular basis! In my mind, a good chemist has a good analytical mind in addition to actualy knowing something about chemistry! I beleive that working in an analytical laboratory will teach me about using equipment properly (through regular use) and, since there is a strong discipline element, what I learn will stick with me for life.

I live in Brighton (when I'm not living in kingston for university!) so some work experiance in the south east would be the most convinient for me. Can you help me out at all?

Regards,

Matt Tucknott"

Ok, I hold my hands up - some bad errors there. But does the guy know me? No. I'm just asking for a little help getting some experiance in a real laboratory. This has really upset me.

Matt

I'd write back mate.

"stuff" isn't a spelling error, it's grammar. Same goes for "kingston"... all it needs is capitalisation, that's not spelling either.

Go on, you know you want to. You have nothing to loose now

EDIT: Since you've included his email address in the post, do you want me to spam him from president@whitehouse.gov?? Just 'cos I can

Sorry Matt, I don't know how to put this any easier but he's right. He might have come out like an @rsehole but he's actually doing you a favour, believe it or not. Working in a fairly small company I can see exactly what he means, bosses do care about spelling mistakes. After all, you'll be in contact with the "outside world" at some point in time, and bad spelling comes right after bad info in the list of big no-nos...

Yea, your right - I know it was bad, but it was pretty patronising the way it was said. He could have just said "Oh, your spelling was poor in that email - just as a helpful hint, make sure its tidy"

Matt

Not being funny here but if you are applying for anything, you have to have correct english and grammar. If I had received your email I'm afraid I wouldn't employ you either, though I probably wouldn't bother replying. My take on it is that if you can't be bothered to run a spell check then I can't be bothered replying.

At least you know why you have been turned down.

Guys, Matt's said he messed up. To me, the guy that replied deserves a good something, and it aint a medal.

IMO, arrogant f******. Yes, fine, don't reply, reply with a nice message, but to sit down & time how long he's taken to read it, then give a stern criticism of someone he doesn't know. Does he not have anything better to be doing?

Originally Posted by Baph

Does he not have anything better to be doing?

HR, probably!

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

This has really upset me.

Matt

You're upset? My taxes paid for your education, imagine how upset I am!

Originally Posted by Baph

You have nothing to loose now

Shouldn't that be 'nothing to lose'?

Originally Posted by Filipe M.

HR, probably!

I said better...

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

You're upset? My taxes paid for your education, imagine how upset I am!

Shouldn't that be 'nothing to lose'?

You're right it should. But then, I never said I was a student wanting work experience

EDIT: I wasn't going to comment on the taxes either. But what the heck So I suppose you'd rather withdraw your taxes so you had more money in your pocket, and students had to pay their own way even more than currently. That's a nice plan. Nothing selfish about that at all.

Your taxes also go to pay for mr Plod, and council services, such as collecting your refuse. I suppose if you didn't have to pay tax, you'd happily take your own rubbish to the tip?

(BTW, I've worked as a "binman" - when I was a student funnily enough... and trust me, it's not a job you'd want to do!)

Can I point out that Hmph is spelt with 2 'H's!

If its on any help, I believe there are some Laboratory Technicians jobs going at either DSTL or HSA Porton Down.

Just a thought HTH.