6 Reasons Your Résumé Goes Straight to My Trash

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I just emailed you a resume/cover letter and got an instant response that you deleted without even opening the email. I am not sure why, as the job description on your website had you as the contact person and there were no special instructions on how to submit resumes.
Would be helpful if you explained what the protocols of emailing resumes/cover letters are with regards to what goes in the email message area (without having to repeat what is in the attached cover letter); what goes in the subject line; and what tics off a hiring manager at first glance to delete without opening.
Thanks.

anonymous of MD 11:10AM October 29, 2010

Thank you Ms Alison Green for the wealth of detailed knowledge and experiences shared in resume writing and cover letter writing. As well as 21 Things hiring managers don't want you to know. For example, I am now removing "objectives" completely out of my resume (your article was the second that I read on removing objectives out of the resume). I am currently unemployed and seeking work. However, I find that the more I seek out helpful, professional ways to improve (polish) my resume as well as how to write a cover letter, I find myself including this experience as "work". A great deal of the employment search in itself is resume writing. I am enjoying the process because it allows me to see "me" for "who I am","what I am capable of doing", as well as "what I have demonstrated" and "what I really want". The more I work at upgrading my resume (for better than worse) the more confident I feel about securing a job that is right for me. Mock interviewing is another helpful tool in preparing for the actual interview it helps with building self-confidence, and gives you the "practice" of interviewing. Again, thank you and much success with the Management Center and co authorship of your new book.

Gladys Mosby of MI 3:23PM August 10, 2010

I have been in this "unemployed" or "job searching" category for about 2 months and I am ready to pull my hair out. I spend countless hours reading, reaserching, and changing my resume to fit what everyone says it what you need to get a job. I am a person who thrives on individuality and being me, so how do you have a resume that will get a job and still represent who I am. I am in a position where I have to work to support my family(usually 2 jobs). So, I want to do what the world "expects" or "wants" me to do because lets face it is the unemployed are at the mercy of the employers. But, can we truely make everyone of them happy and get the job that We need. What is even more frustrating is that I am in a field that claims to have an endless need "Nursing". I have a very strong experience background, not an education background, but it never seems to be enough. I am willing to jump through hoops but I need to know if it is the right hoop at the right time. I know I am not the only one out there but some days it is just too much.

Christine RN of IL 10:30PM July 19, 2010

SMB is an idiot.

Sweets of CO 7:34PM June 22, 2010

As a retiree with time on my hands, I answer questions from young people on their homework in "Yahoo Answers" . Most often I help them by telling them where they can find the answers themselves. One thing is unbelievably annoying: Spelling and grammar have gone out of the window! I realize mine isn't perfect. But, when I see sentences written by some of our youth that lack all capital letters, any form of punctuation, and correct spelling on very simple words, I cannot envision any of them able to write a resume. LOL! Then, they get upset if their spelling is criticized. "what diffrence dos it make" is typical of the responses. ....... Oh, dear.

Nancy Thorgaard of WI 9:02PM September 02, 2009

As I read all of the advice given and am absolutely certain that I do not do any of the things listed, I still have to ask; how do I getting in the “call for an interview” pile? Its very discouraging to customize a resume and cover letter for every job applied for, literally spending hours researching companies, translating my past experience and education to specifically fit the needs of the job posting, double and triple checking for errors, having at least two people proof read everything I send out and then not even getting a phone call. So for all of those that decide who gets that phone call any thoughts how I can increase my chances of getting at least noticed?
Also my email address, ringtone, voicemail are all professional!

LT of MO 11:49PM June 21, 2009

I work at a staffing agency where we place technical professional people. Whenever we receive job postings from clients, we normally e-mail them out to our candidates in our database, as well as posting them on our web site and craigslist.com (without the client info). If the ad says that the firm needs specific information included when submitting the resume, for God's sake, follow the damned instructions. It is a bigger pain for us, especially since we work with a reduced staff, to sift through resumes of people who apparently slept through the reading comprehension portion of their grade school reading classes. Also, sending reply messages that state that, "Oh geez, you'll probably just ship the job off to India or Mexico anyway" or calling and whining about how every employer in the county of {fill in the blank} is trying to screw you over, will definitely earn you my permanent disrespect and an even more permanent purging of your resume out of our database. Take your chip on your shoulder to your county mental health services office. With being unemployed, I'm sure they'll be more than willing to give you free counseling. (Trust me, you'll need it.)

SMB of MI 9:42AM April 27, 2009

I have to add my agreement to the voicemail issue, please if you're job hunting, have a simple and professional voicemail message. Feel free to change it back to crazy after you've gotten the job. Music, swearing, your baby or kids leaving the voicemail, joke messages, voicemail being full, no voicemail at all, etc. are all turnoffs.
I still remember a voicemail message from years ago where I called to set up an interview, and the message was "If I'm not answering, I probably don't want to (insert swear word here) talk to you, so don't bother leaving a message". I hung up and never called back.

Just another HR lady... 11:36AM April 17, 2009

The article and readers' comments reflect mistakes often made by job seekers who presume their cleverly crafted resumes will get their feet in the door. During periods I've been in the job search mode, I've sanitized my voicemail announcement to give a courteous and professional appeal without personal ring tones or music in the background. I want potential interviewers to have a positive - or at least a neutral first impression so they may want to learn more. Ethnic last names particularly those that are both difficult to pronounce and spell probably doesn't help except in fields already accustomed to or serviced by ethnic diversity. And people's social network profiles may often reflect too much personal and wierd preferences or worse "friends" - like the porn stars and hookers who work those websites. Better to use an avatar with alternative identity to one's legal job search name to keep work and play separate. I could go on, but in the end it's still a numbers game in large part.

Tony Lee of CA 9:51AM April 04, 2009

When I schedule interviews, I constantly call people with either annoying and obnoxious voicemail messages, or completely innappropriate ringback tones. If I call you to set up an interview only to have to sit through Baby Got Back or Death Metal blasting my ears until I can leave a message, not only do I feel you are not one hundred percent committed to finding a job, but I'm also not going to sit through it.

Jeanne of NY 1:32PM March 23, 2009