In
the past month I’ve had to advertise for a new person to fill a
clerical position at my office. I put the ad in the local paper
along with my fax number and received over 125 resumes within 5 or
6 days. In reviewing all of these for potential employees I found
several things that I’d like to discuss and comment upon for the
benefit of those who are unemployed or who are about to graduate
and just now entering the job market.
I’ve been in business for over 30 years and
have seen my share of applications and resumes over these years.
It takes me about 30 seconds to look over each one I receive and I
suspect that’s about all of the time anyone really devotes to this
task. Therefore it’s vitally important to make a good first
impression and try to eliminate as many glaring errors as possible
to get to the next stage in the hiring process. These may seem
simple and elementary but I’m reading from actual resumes that I
have in my chubby little fingers.
First rule is to never send your resume
asking for a job in an unrelated field. I am looking for a clerk,
I have received several applications telling me that their
objective is to obtain a position in the nursing industry. Wrong.
Next point; make sure your fax or letter is from you, not someone
else. I have received several that came in on someone’s letterhead
but signed by someone else. Who is the applicant? Third
point…..check your experience summary, I am looking over one that
lists 3 different jobs at the same time and the others are out of
date order…so if I want to see what their employment history is, I
have to stop and sort the months and years out, something I’m not
going to do….Be sure and read your resume, get someone to look
over it and see if it makes sense.
Here are 3 examples of what not to put on a
resume…”I was in an accident and did not return” (did she die,
what happened?) “I was responsible for organizing old clients”
(where was this, in some nursing home?…what does this mean and
what is she trying to say?) …Here’s my favorite…”I was responsible
for balancing everyday…” Most of us are, otherwise we’d be falling
over each other in the office. Think about how this sounds. Maybe
I’m weird, but somehow I figure that if you’re out of college or
have been working anywhere for any period of time you should know
how to do the following and it isn’t necessary to include these
details in your summary…”I can fax, ship a package overnight, keep
my workstation neat, order lunch, file, and operate a copy
machine.” As far as I’m concerned any working adult should be able
to do these tasks. You don’t need to list the fact that you can
walk and chew gum at the same time.
Another glaring point…..just how much does
your phone weigh? Are your files really that heavy? Don’t put down
that you have “heavy phones or heavy files” just explain what you
did and where you did it. Let me also suggest that you not use
acronyms in your resume without explaining what they mean…For
example I don’t know what a B.A.T.S system is and what it
requires….so when you tell me that you operate one, what is it you
are operating? Don’t put smiley faces and cutesy drawing on your
letters, it doesn’t make you look serious. Another very important
point to remember is the fact that if you have had 15 jobs in the
past 7 years…I want to know why…explain what happened and why you
left these so often. No one wants to hire someone and have them
leave after only 3 or 4 months.
My final point…always use spell check…don’t
send out a letter asking for a job with misspelled words. This is
just common sense. Examples to avoid…..”please give this to the
Personel Director” “I am interested in obtaining a CHANGLING
position” “ In my last job I was a pare legalist” “I can operate a
facsimil machine”. Look these over before you send them out, ask
someone you know, maybe a teacher or business owner to review your
resume before you put in out for consideration. Your best
impression is always your first impression. Make it count. Get
that job. Comments go to www.pearyperry.com
