Your resume is in Klingon, plus 11 other ways not to impress the hiring manager

Last week, CareerBuilder.com released its survey and study of resume do’s and don’ts. The one I received on used toilet paper was both a do-do and a don’t. But, at least she used 12-point Times New Roman. Still, that didn’t make the list. Here’s what did…

 

How long should a resume be?
Two pages max; one page if you are a recent college grad.

Top 5 Most Common Resume Mistakes?

1. Typos
2. Too Generic
3. Don’t list skills
4. Mimic the job posting
5. Inappropriate email address

Most Outrageous Resume Mistakes

• Resume was submitted from a person the company just fired
• Resume’s “Skills” section was spelled “Skelze”
• Resume listed the candidate’s objective as “To work for someone who is not an alcoholic with three DUI’s like my current employer”
• Resume included language typically seen in text messages (e.g., no capitalization and use of shortcuts like “u”)
• Resume consisted of one sentence: “Hire me, I’m awesome”
• Resume listed the candidate’s online video gaming experience leading warrior “clans,” suggesting this passed for leadership experience
• Resume included pictures of the candidate from baby photos to adulthood
• Resume was written in Klingon language from Star Trek
• Resume was a music video
• Resume didn’t include the candidate’s name
• On the job application, where it asks for your job title with a previous employer, the applicant wrote “Mr.”
• Resume included time spent in jail for assaulting a former boss

In the comments below, tell me your biggest resume pet peeve and the craziest resume item you ever read from a job applicant.