The title of a resume I found online: Experience Hard Warker
Continue ReadingFun From The Resume Pile
From the outstanding resume file – a resume I received yesterday for a Project Manager position: Personal Attributes I am highly enthusiastic, hard working, opinionated and motivated to work under my own initiative or as part of a team. 1. I have extensive practical experience of fault-finding… Which explains why his team wants him to work on his own initiative. In all fairness, the candidate goes on to finish item #1 with: …and problem solving systematically. Certainly a lot easier to do once you’ve established blame. There’s a sentence later in the letter that suggests English isn’t a strong suit – My team were involved in maintenance, repairing and servicing… Read More
Continue ReadingScratch And Sniff Resumes?
First off, the word “wacky” should not be used in any form of writing. Second, this Yahoo Hot Jobs article – Wacky Job-Seeker Stunts – lists some . . . zany gimmicks for attempting to land a marketing/advertising position: Puts up posters of himself in your company parking lot. Attaches pineapple scratch-and-sniff stickers to his resume. Announces his candidacy with a singing telegram. Sends lottery tickets with her resume. Rents a billboard that you can see from your office to list his qualifications. Bakes cookies with icing to write several reasons why she should be hired. Delivers pre-paid Chinese food, including a fortune cookie with his name and number. Yeah,… Read More
Continue ReadingHow NOT To Describe Your Education
This sentence is from a cover email regarding a sales position: I am educated up to an MBA. I still am not sure what that means.
Continue ReadingWhat NOT To Mention In A Cover Letter
I have been searching through online resumes and came across this commentary in a cover letter: I am a 63 year old male just recently let go from my job because I’m too old. Don’t worry, I’m fighting it but in the meantime, I need a job. You know, some things are better left unsaid.
Continue ReadingTime And Title
I’m digging around the resume pile again and came across a title that I actually enjoyed (slightly edited by me): Sales Pro Seeking New Dragons To Slay I know, it is a bit quirky, but it stands out which is important in it’s own right. I opened up the resume to look at the details inside and found this piece of information under the Education section (redacted by me): _________ University 1986-2001 Liberal Arts So much for the good title.
Continue ReadingNot So Confidential
I got a kick out of this – I’m looking through resumes online and I came across one that was listed as confidential. Candidates put a title to their resume that often says “Experienced Sales Professional” or something of that sort. The candidate can then hide their personal contact information (name, address, phone, etc.) and their current employer. This person did that. Except the title for their resume was their actual name as in “John Doe’s resume.” Oops.
Continue ReadingThe Negative Effect
We’ve been working through a fair amount of initial sourcing activities the past week or so and I’ve come across something that catches my attention. I’m seeing more and more posted resume/cover letters that state what a candidate is not looking for in their next position. No telemarketing positions. No work-at-home schemes. Not interested in travel. Must have benefit plan or not interested. I understand the desire to be focused in a job search, but I notice a negative effect when I read through these types of statements. Immediately, I start thinking about what other restrictions may be part of this candidate’s baggage. I suspect there are many companies out… Read More
Continue ReadingFun From The Sourcing File
This is the title from a sales resume: sales pro here looking for best carrer oppertunity Spell check is a jobseeker’s best friend.
Continue ReadingA Cover Letter With Odd Confidence
This excerpt is from the cover letter of a salesperson: Telemarketing There is no better. willing to work Short Term, Long Term, Temp. Commision, depending on rate of pay. Currently i am working a sales job, however, i do not like it, although i am very good, great at it I am only making $7 an hour. Pass.
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