By MAX MESSMER
Scripps Howard News Service
According to a recent survey by Robert Half International and job-search site CareerBuilder.com, 44 percent of the resumes employers receive are from unqualified candidates. In fact, 47 percent of managers said their biggest hiring challenge is a lack of qualified applicants.
Keep these results in mind the next time you respond to a job posting. Do you have the skills and experience the company is looking for? If so, do your resume and cover letter adequately demonstrate to the hiring manager why you are a good fit for the job?
Start by highlighting your most marketable skills. In other words, why should a company hire you instead of someone else?
These next applicants failed to put their best foot forward:
"SKILLS: Athletic (able to stand, move around, etc.)."
Excels at musical chairs.
"SKILLS: Pleasant tone of voice."
This will come in handy during the phone interview.
I am continually surprised when job seekers refer to their physical features in resumes. This information will not help you get hired and can even place hiring managers in an awkward spot because they are prohibited from considering physical appearance when evaluating applicants. Nevertheless, some job candidates continue to include these irrelevant details. For example:
"ABOUT ME: Not too unattractive."
What should we do with this information?
Another mistake some job candidates make is to point out their perceived flaws. Although you should present hiring managers with an honest and accurate assessment of your abilities, don't go out of your way to sell yourself short.
RESUME:
"I can't sing. I have been told to stop singing during the happy birthday song."
We'll warn the office fun committee.
RESUME:
"I have trouble with the 'before' rule."
We're not even sure what that rule is.
"SKILLS: I do have some skills, if that's necessary to you."
Yes, it is.
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.
(Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, 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.)
