Resume Bloopers

- "Don't have own vehicle, but have access to pubic transport" (what?)
- Under Value Offered - "Consciousness" (Conscientiousness is over-rated)
- One young job-seeker had an email address starting with' winged_angle" (hopefully no accompanying tattoo on same)
-applicant list hotpants@.... for employment application.
-client who listed under Technical Skills "rat-shit rench".
- (owner'sname)mybigfatazz@
-used the words "attention to detial"
-"I WILL DO WHATEVER THEY TALL ME
-applicant list "Very adept at measuring thickness and testing hardness"
-Proof read a resume for a gentleman who apparently "severed" pizza and sandwiches
-"Received at plague for employee of the year" -Reasons for leaving last job? "Maturity"
-"Responsible for ruining an entire department"


I am amazed weekly with some of what is written on resumes. Please proofread your RESUME before sending to an employer. It will make a huge difference for you to land an interview.

Riddled by bullets

Is there a better way to get information across other than bullet points if a resume is only getting an average of 6 seconds in the hands of a recruiter? Specifically for lower level management or non-management positions. If using introductory paragraphs for each position, how long can it be and still get read?

• Bullet points are the best method precisely because of the limited viewing time spent on resumes. I'm speaking specifically of bullets in the Experience section. Done the right way, a bullet is brief (no longer than one line), begins with a verb that communicates strongly the activities in which you engaged, an is highly descriptive of your accomplishments and tasks. Positions should have no more than 4-5 bullets typically. This format allows a hiring manager to quickly glance the first few words of each bullet and get a strong idea of who you are. Paragraphs are a disaster in limited time because they're not easily browsed; you have to actually read...which can mean lost opportunity in the hands of a busy person who doesn't have time to read.

Scarlett Career Services reader says: How would I answer "what is your weakness" on a job interview?
SCS Answer: In my experience, the "What is your biggest weakness" question tries to identify one thing: Are you big enough to realize that you are not perfect?. Once we get past the need to impress our interviewer at all costs, we can be honest with ourselves.

The question needs to be answered with 3 steps:
1.- The weakness - needs to be a real weakness and should be related to the job... However, it should not be a weakness that prevents you from doing your targeted job (don't use public speaking when interviewing for a Corporate Trainer role; or time management for a scheduler position).

2.- How is this weakness related to the job? - If you identify how this can be a weakness for performing the job, you can downplay the negative effect your weakness will have on your audience. This allows step 3 to be much more effective...

3.- What are you doing about it? I want to hire somebody who is coachable and that works hard to improve. If you have a plan of action that you are following in order to overcome your weakness, then I will be impressed with how you handle yourself. You are always a work in progress and overcoming your weaknesses is part of your professional growth.

* Be careful not to talk about a weakness that you have already overcame. The question is what IS your weakness, instead of what WAS your weakness.