Dear prospective employees, here is a short list of things potential employers look for. If you never get a call back from those “bazillion jobs” you’ve been applying for, perhaps one (or more) of the reasons why is below:
1) Manners: Don’t walk into any potential work place walk up to the counter and say, “Hey YO! Are you hiring? Here’s my resume!” and walk away. Yes, this has happened a number of times to me.
2) Professionalism: If you’re going to apply to any workplace before stepping inside ask yourself if you are dressed appropriately. If they wear a uniform chances are whatever you have on is fine. If not, gear your outfit to look like you fit in. If you don’t want to do this because it’s “not you” then dont get mad when you dont get a call back.
3) Spell check: Too many times have I seen resumes with incorrect spelling. Sure the computer can check spelling, but it doesn’t check grammar! It’s a small thing in the road of life but it builds a stronger foundation for you to get to where you want to go. Their, there and they’re do not mean the same thing even if they sound the same.
—Grr
This article appears in Jun 2-8, 2011.
4) if you’re responding to an ad for a professional position and it says “send in your resume” SEND IN A FREAKING COVER LETTER TOO!
You should never apply for a job without a cover letter (unless it’s a mcjob).
Ugh. I HATE when people just roam in off the street, looking like they just crawled out from under a rock to drop off a resume. Seriously, clean up before you go out handing out resumes. I’m not saying you have to wear a 3 piece suit, but at least be presentable. Know who it is you’re applying to and dress accordingly. A nice, clean pair of dress pants and a coordinating, clean, wrinkle free top is fine. You may not think it matters, but trust me it does.
And please, don’t ever hand in a hand-written resume. And if your address or phone number has changed please don’t just scratch it out at the top. Take the time to retype it.
And use an e-mail address that is just your name, none of this “sealclubber@hawtmale.com” or “nachos_r_yummi@yaddayadda.com”
I refuse to use my name e-mail….
I’ve never had one and not getting another email address…since I already have 6.
eff that.
if they’re that picky, fuck em.
I likely won’t want to work there anyways.
spuck smell feck.
Do you actively USE all six emails?
Typos in cover letter and resumes are big deals. The best is when the person applying claims in their letter/resume that they have a “strong eye for detail” or “pays attention to detail” and they have a plethora of typos floating around. Even one typo and I, as the one doing the hiring, would toss them out of the running.
And my GOD if you’re applying for a position, make sure you change the position title in your resume/cover letter. You’d be surprised at how many resumes/letters I’ve seen this week with the name of another organization or position title in there. That’s an automatic throw-out.
Don’t waste time by writing your “Objective: _____” either. Employers know you’re applying for a job to gain employment, unless you’re trying to sell storm windows or something.
…also we don’t care about your hobbies unless it pertains to the work. “enjoys long walks on the beach” whoopdefuckindoo
Ugh. I agree about the email addresses as well.
“…and I may be reached at your earliest convenience to arrange a time to discuss the details of my resume at saucysexykitten696969@hotma!l dot com”
Seriously? You couldn’t have gone with sarahsmith at hotmail dot com? (ex…I don’t actually know, nor have I seen a resume from Sarah Smith)
I agree with your right to be able to judge based on the email address..
but don’t just discount it if it’s not FirstName.LastName@something.com
and I use 3 of them every day….
one less frequently, and two are more legacy that I keep just because I’m too lazy to forward everything out of them and close the accounts.