Ducks in a Row: Resume Stupidity
by Miki Saxon
Today is about resume stupidity by recruiters and management and the resulting lies.
It is about the stupidity of a required set of buzz words that recruiters use to screen candidates.
It is about the stupidity of managers providing that list.
It is about the stupidity of lying—even when the lie is a recommended action.
Recruiters like screening lists because it eliminates the need for a lot of up-front work on their part, i.e., they don’t have to talk to anyone who doesn’t use those words.
Forget the fact that there are many ways to describe something and most people describe their work using the words of their current management.
Way back in the late 1970s I worked with companies that built communications equipment (DTS, ROLM, etc.) and most software managers required experience designing real-time switches for telecom.
I had a fabulous engineer who designed real-time switches for a process equipment maker.
The software manager was furious; ranting on that it wasn’t telecom.
That made no sense to me; it seemed logical that real-time was real-time whether a switch was flipped or a valve was closed.
So I asked him to please explain the difference, so I could understand.
He started to talk and then stopped. There was a long silence and finally he told me to have my guy there for an interview the next day—he was hired on the spot.
It’s not that I was technically knowledgeable, but real-time is real-time made sense and the other didn’t.
The same goes for many “absolute requirements”—degrees, industry, etc.
As to the lies, I guarantee that sooner or later any lie you put on your resume will come back and bite you—even when it is a recruiter who recommends it.
Flickr image credit: Frank Jania
July 31st, 2012 at 9:37 am
I had a recruiter turn me down to forward my resume to a potential position because I lack ISO9000/9001 experience when I have ample FDA Quality experience. If I could get in the door with the company I could make the case to train me to the specific requirement, but unfortunately I was turned down as I lack the buzz word.
July 31st, 2012 at 10:17 am
Hi Luke, Long time:)
I have no doubt the company would be interested; your background proves that you have an excellent learning curve. What you were dealing with was a lazy/incompetent/timid recruiter who ignores attitude and cultural fit.
Which is why my post tomorrow is about what recruiters really do.
August 1st, 2012 at 8:09 am
Thank you Miki! It has been enlightening to begin working with recruiters to find positions. I continue to look for myself, but the learning curve to figuring out how to job hunt is tremendous when you’re busy trying to keep a job & improve skills.
I’m here lurking in the shadows reading and learning as much as I can from you even if I don’t pipe up!
August 1st, 2012 at 8:17 am
Luke, You pop up more than 99.9% of my readers.
Job hunting is easier with experience IF you use your job skills and make the experience cumulative throughout your life. Based on past conversations I’m sure you know more than you think you do.
Feel free to email or call me if you would like some coaching.