By MAX MESSMER
Scripps Howard News Service
You've gone to great lengths to craft the perfect resume. You've proofread with diligence, carefully dotting every i and crossing every t. But before you submit your resume, you should re-read each bullet point or sentence and ask yourself this question:
Will including this piece of information help a prospective employer better understand my skills, abilities and professional experience? Delete any details that do not.
"OBJECTIVE: I am looking for a long-term relationship with an established, reputable company. And, yes, I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain."
Perhaps you should have kept your objective to one sentence.
RESUME:
"I'm a Holden Caulfield-like character."
Nice literary reference, but no job match.
"JOB DUTIES: Restaurant supervisor: Created recipes for sandwiches and coffee. I even had a sandwich named after me."
This candidate's on a roll!
RESUME:
"I'm not interested in gibberish."
It's good to know we have at least one thing in common.
Only list outside interests and activities if they highlight transferable skills that are relevant to the position you seek. For instance, serving as the president of a volunteer community-service organization shows that you have leadership experience, but your love of salsa dancing is unlikely to be of much value to an employer. These applicants wandered off track:
"INTERESTS: Pets. (Cats are better than dogs.)"
Now, that's a controversial statement.
"HOBBIES: Playing Guitar Hero."
His skills are less than "rock" solid.
"HOBBIES: Bad mitten."
The opposite of a golden glove.
Finally, while "Resumania" focuses on applicant faux pas, it should be noted that employers also make mistakes on occasion. Consider this humorous typo from an employment ad:
JOB AD:
"Seeking administrative assistant. Candidates must have reliable transportation and be dependable, honest and able to work well with otters."
This workplace sounds like a zoo.
For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. 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.
Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm.
