With 13.9 million Americans seeking work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grabbing an employer’s attention quickly and leaving a positive impression is critical. According to a recent CareerBuilder study, nearly half of human resource managers said they spend, on average, less than one minute reviewing an application. The survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive© from May 19 to June 8, 2011, included more than 2,600 employers nationwide.
When asked to recall the most memorable or unusual resumes, human resource managers and hiring managers shared the following:
1) Candidate said the more you paid him, the harder he worked.
2) Candidate was fired from different jobs, but included each one as a reference.
3) Candidate said he just wanted an opportunity to show off his new tie.
4) Candidate listed her dog as a reference.
5) Candidate listed the ability to do the moonwalk as a special skill.
6) Candidates - a husband and wife looking to job share - submitted a co-written poem.
7) Candidate included “versatile toes” as a selling point.
8) Candidate said that he would be a “good asset to the company,” but failed to include the “et” in the word “asset.”
9) Candidate’s email address on the resume had “shakinmybootie” in it.
10) Candidate included that she survived a bite from a deadly aquatic animal.
11) Candidate used first name only.
12) Candidate asked, “Would you pass up an opportunity to hire someone like this? I think not.”
13) Candidate insisted that the company pay him to interview with them because his time was valuable.
14) Candidate shipped a lemon with résumé, stating, “I am not a lemon.”
15) Candidate included that he was arrested for assaulting his previous boss.
What are some of the weirdest things you’ve seen on resumes?
