ShareThis"Time is the best editor" is an old writers' maxim to keep in mind when crafting your resume and cover letter. Once you've completed your application materials, pause before submitting them. Stepping away from the computer for a few hours will enable you to return to the all-important proofreading process with a fresh perspective -- and a fresh pair of eyes. The following candidates clearly did not devote enough time to checking their work:"JOB HISTORY: Food quality assurance manger. Great attention to detail."Can you taste the irony?"JOB DUTIES: My responsibilities include handling key accounts and new customer acquition."Time to acquire a dictionary.While you should always take advantage of your computer's spell-check feature, remember that it won't catch all errors, as these next two examples show:"OVERVIEW: Skillful and dedicated account executive with extensive experience in developing client tell."And what does your clientele tell you?"TECHNICAL ABILITY: Microsoft Soft Office."A candidate who clearly has soft skills.Here's an example that highlights the importance of commas:"INTERESTS: Cooking television."That's one way to make a TV dinner.Bungling your own job title is never a good thing. In his cover letter, this applicant wrote that he was a "business analyst"; however, he goofed on his resume:"JOB TITLE: Business annihilator."Finally, this job-seeker undermined an otherwise impressive cover letter with this egregious slip-up in his last paragraph:COVER LETTER: "In conclusion, I believe that company name here provides an excellent environment."We suddenly feel less flattered.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" and "Job Hunting For Dummies," 2nd Edition. His most recent book is "Human Resources Kit For Dummies," 2nd Edition.)????????2
Always check your job-application materials
Submitted by SHNS on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 14:28
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.
