6 Reasons Your Résumé Goes Straight to My Trash

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The call I got last week asked me to e-mail the job description to "sexystrawberrytalented." When she told me her e-mail address, she said, "I should probably change it." Yup. Probably should.

Erin of CO 12:43PM September 15, 2008

With more people looking for jobs, applicants have to realize that HR/Hiring managers receive literally 100's of resumes for some jobs. Any of the 6 reasons mentioned will move the applicant to the NO pile quickly.
I have been doing recruiting lately and have seen all six reasons plus a voicemail message that was a life statement - I did not leave message and the applicant went in the NO pile, listing a phone number in your resume with Privacy Director - UM, use an answering machine, and applicants who live in another state but do not address how they plan to work in the state were the job is located.

KQ of GA 4:26PM August 28, 2008

I agree. Those six reasons are definitely trash-worthy for me also. If I have a dozen good resumes and one of them is from "2HotForU", that one is out, and fast. Also, if I call the applicant, and I get a weird voicemail greeting, like one with a breathless, sighing, sexy message, I hang up and move the resume to the "no interest" pile.

sa of CA 1:38PM August 26, 2008

I have explained this to my daughter who is a member of this technology reared generation. I send her blogs like these and every bit of information I can to help her understand the consequences of her actions. Some of these young people don't have a clue when it gets right down to it. They see their friends and others posting these cute, or risque web names, and they believe "everybody else is doing it." I applaud people who try to educate those who are young and inexperienced in such matters. I am sure there are some older adults who are inexperienced in business etiquette. "Sexy mama" could be older or younger. Whatever her age, she needs to be told the reason she did not get hired so she can correct her mistake and learn from it.

Debbie Swearingen of GA 11:36AM August 26, 2008

I have seen resumes do everything right, but they have forgotten to professionalize the envelope. Just remind them that the whole package is seen.

GL H/WWDS of MN 8:43AM August 26, 2008

I once got a resume from bulls**tbreath. It didn't go straight in the trash--we laughed about it first.

Suzanne Lucas of PA 3:33PM August 25, 2008

This is a great post. I too have received resumes emailed by HotLeggs, and such. Shows a serious lack of professionalism and if this is how they are with me, how will they be with a client?
For me, another "immediately a no" is when I request a cover letter and they don't give one at all, or their email message is a poor attempt at one (like 1 sentence about how they want to the job and their resume is attached.)
If you can't follow directions and be professional when you are trying to get hired then I won't have much faith in your ability to do so once you are hired either.

BossLady of NY 1:22PM August 25, 2008