Day in and out, I open emails with resumes attached from hopeful candidates looking for work. I've seen every resume template on the internet used and abused and more often than not my finger hovers over "delete."
Some tips for job seekers:
1. Do not address your cover letter "Dear Sir"
While you may be trying to sound professional, 50% of all people on this planet are female. It bothers us when you assume. Your resume does not go to the top of the pile. To be fair, we would never toss your resume out of the running for such a reason... but it is tempting.
2. Spell Check
I shouldn't have to spend much time on this subject. If your resume is full of spelling errors, you do not have a good chance of moving forward.
3. Resume templates
Ensure that you complete the resume. Take out help comments and other template verbiage before you send the resume forward.
4. Personal email address
If your personal email is "sexygirl4u@wahoo.com" I recommend not giving it as contact information. Also avoid email addresses with references to the following:
Sex
Death
Murder
Rape
Guns
Drugs
Theft
And remember - we recruiters
will run your name and email through MySpace to see what we come up with!
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As for the rest of the mistakes, stunning admissions, poor attention to detail and other surprises I receive on resumes - they all help me make an informed hiring decision. The 4 tips listed above are not merely for your information - they are to make my day less frustrating. I feel no need to help you write the perfect resume, but please stop the stupidity!
