By MAX MESSMER
Scripps Howard News Service
Attention job seekers: Don't let up as 2009 winds down.
Contrary to popular belief, November and December are excellent months to get hired. Many people stop looking during the holidays because they assume no jobs will be available until January. However, companies often scramble to fill positions that have been allocated to the current budget year. Employers also typically have more time to review resumes and conduct interviews during the final weeks of the year. There's never a wrong time to look for your next job, so stay focused and positive.
Following are some examples of ways
not to get hired:
"EDUCATION: I have two degrees, but neither one is doing me any good right now!"But they might if you provided some details about them.
COVER LETTER:
"I almost always get turned away for rediculous reasons."
Sloppy spelling might have something to do with it.
Job-search fatigue can understandably lead to frustration. It's healthy and cathartic to open up to friends and family members, but don't let a negative attitude seep into your application materials.
COVER LETTER:
"Whenever I find the perfect job, I always get cheated at the last second in favor of someone who seems (keyword being 'seems') to have better credentials, only for the truth to be uncovered that they are terrible."
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
COVER LETTER:
"Call only if you're looking for a serious salesman. Otherwise, go find yourself a dummy who doesn't know how to sell, deal with rejection or manage your accounts with a professional approach."
Speaking of a professional approach ...
COVER LETTER:
"Life's too short. I don't want to hear from you if you're a wet blanket."This job seeker will come up dry.
Finally, this last example underscores why certain pieces of information are best left unmentioned:
RESUME:
"My nickname: The Bride of Frankenstein."A frightening lack of judgment.
For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998.
