In the old days, a blacksmith did not apply for work; he lit a fire. He showed the village his hammer, his scars, and the sword he forged last week.
Today’s job applicant? They send a copy-pasted scroll, forged by ChatGPT, not fire.
Last week I posted a job. Five days. 350 views. 321 applications. But here is the shock: I added a simple instruction at the end, answer a written question. Only 20 tried. Most skipped it. Those who did? They let ChatGPT do the talking. Not even an edit to show personality, insight, or hunger. Just default, lifeless answers. That is not work. That’s noise. Wasted my time reading soulless responses. Very annoying.
The role was for a Country Manager, https://lnkd.in/d3XZV2HP is a serious one.
A position demanding business growth, financial acumen, and curiosity. But only two dared mention a budget. None of the applicants attempted to project revenue. Not one built an assumption about our platform. No one explored app.twezimbe.com. Zero obsession and zero preparation.
Is it poor training? No mentorship? Or just plain apathy?
Even senior applicants, seasoned leaders from top-tier firms, with so many certifications after their names, submitted lazy, AI-drenched proposals.
These are leaders who are always involved in hiring decisions. If this is the effort you give to chase a $4,500/month role, what effort are you giving your current employer?
Dear job seeker, you are not selling a CV. You are selling a belief. Sweat, insight, and experience. If you can’t take time to write a tailored, thoughtful proposal, how will you nurture a startup from chaos to clarity?
Hiring is not charity. It’s war. The job goes to the obsessed. Are you obsessed enough to earn it?
What if your next application wasn’t about getting picked… but about showing you’ve already started building?
I remain, Mr. Strategy
Here is the question that failed over 95% of the applicants. Did they even read it?
Accompany your application with an answer to the following shortlisting question
Twezimbe is ready to roll out its Bereavement Fund across Uganda. You have been appointed as Country Manager. Your target is to onboard 1,000 active groups and reach UGX 10 billion in contributions within 12 months.
Describe your go-to-market strategy for the first 6 months. Your answer should include:
· How will you identify and prioritise districts for launch
· Your approach to mobilising communities and local champions
· Key partnerships you would pursue and why
· The structure of your national growth team
· Risk factors you anticipate and how you would mitigate them
· How will you track performance and ensure accountability?
Instructions
Write no more than 1,000 words. Use real-life insights from Uganda and be practical, and focus on execution.
