Sure, we now live and work in an era of typo-ridden texts and tweets, but that’s no excuse to submit a sloppy resume. In fact, being careless with your application materials can still prove costly. While employers are a bit more lenient than they were five years ago, 63 percent of senior managers said just one or two resume mistakes would eliminate an applicant from consideration for a job, according to a survey by our company.
“The quick and casual nature of communication today shouldn’t extend to the job application process,” says Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half and author of Job Hunting For Dummies®, 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). “Job seekers should take great care in crafting, proofreading and submitting their resumes. Attention to detail is required for most jobs, and a resume should showcase this skill — not detract from it.”
These job seekers hurt their chances:
“EDUCATION: I’m graduating this Maybe.”
When will you know for sure?
“WORK HISTORY: My last employer fried me for no reason.”
That had to burn.
“OBJECTIVE: I’m looking for my big brake.”
Have you checked the garage?
“EDUCATION: Earned a diploma from a very repudiated college.”
Not a proud alumnus.
“OBJECTIVE: I would like to secure a challenging position and accell in the accounting
industry.”
Far from an “accellent” start to the resume.
“HOBBIES: My three biggest hobbies are cars, racquetball, golf and reading.”
An applicant we can’t count on.
