ShareThisThey say you shouldn't sweat the small stuff. But forget that advice when you're writing your resume and cover letter. To make a positive impression on prospective employers, you should concern yourself with the tiniest of details. Consider the damage one transposed letter can do:"EDUCATION: Currently perusing a master's degree."Let us know when you're done looking at it.The most successful job hunters employ more than one editing method to ensure their application materials are flawless. Tried-and-true techniques include running your computer's spell-check function and proofreading your work several times, both on screen and on paper. "REFERENCES: References will be made up on request."We'd prefer genuine ones."JOB DUTIES: Deal with people on regular bases."You must be a baseball coach.While the mistakes highlighted above are unfortunate, they are easy to overlook. That's why your final step before submitting a resume should be to ask a detail-oriented friend or family member to carefully review your work. A fresh pair of eyes, for instance, may have prevented these candidates from blundering:"CONTACT INFO: Homecell phone."We have a number of problems with this submission."SKILLS: Goog at computer work."We have our doubts.This last job seeker also would have benefited from a good edit. His wordy, difficult-to-decipher cover letter left us thoroughly confused.COVER LETTER: "I am not pedantic but embrace any occasion to nurture my edification and I champion the prodigious accolades of verisimilitude expertise your clients desire."If you say so.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 Inc., 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 Inc., a specialized staffing firm, and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies(r) and Job Hunting For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition. His most recent book is Human Resources Kit For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition.????????2
Sweat the small stuff on your resume
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/15/2008 - 13:58
Paying taxes unites us. It also divides us. People can pay five and even six times more in state and local taxes than other folks in similar circumstances making similar incomes.
Who's got your number?
In one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, crooks are stealing tax refunds by swiping personal information and using it to trick the Internal Revenue Service.
