Wretched Resumes

1
Wretched Resumes

• Ft. Worth Star Telegram
• November 7, 2005
• Copied by Dr. Harold Smith

2
Twelve Biggest Mistakes People Make with their
resumes
3
Avoid at all cost!

• 1. Using distracting fonts, formats, or
  graphics. Even if youre applying for an arts or
  graphics job, its a mistake to do an elaborate
  design. When you email it to a hiring manager,
  theres no telling what it will look like on his
  computer.

4
Avoid at all cost!

• 2. Taking an overly informal, conversational
  tone. This is wrong whether its in the resume
  itself or your cover letter, your email
  correspondence with your potential employeror
  the email address you use.

5
Avoid at all cost!

• Email addresses are free. Create a new one for
  your job search. You dont want your business
  address to be kissmekate_at_unstoppable.com

6
Avoid at all cost!

• 3. Including your salary requirements. Its too
  soon to bring up the subject of money when you
  havent landed an interview.

7
Avoid at all cost!

• 4. Dissing your past and present employers.
  This makes you look bad. It signals you are not
  part of a team. You are not a team player.

8
Avoid at all cost!

• 5. Submitting a resume thats more than three
  pages long.

9
Avoid at all cost!

• 6. Including hobbies and interests. You may
  think snowboarding makes you seem adventurous and
  well-rounded. The potential employer sees you in
  a hospital, in traction, unable to do your work.

10
Avoid at all cost!

• 7. Listing reasons for leaving current and past
  jobs. These are subjects you may discuss in an
  interview if brought up by the interviewer.

11
Avoid at all cost!

• Dropping names of celebrities, politicians and
  business moguls.

12
Avoid at all cost!

• Failing to catch typos. It calls into question
  your attention to details.

13
Avoid at all cost!

• Lying on your resume.

14
Avoid at all cost!

• Failing to attach a cover letter.

15
Avoid at all cost!

• Failing to customize your resume to the job you
  are seeking.