Message #77328

[Atlanta Z3]

I used to work for an executive recruiter and scanned resumes daily.

Depends on whether I am looking at hard copies or site based resumes.  Site based resume (career builder) strip out formatting.

Hard copy resume, first I look at the formatting, is it esthetically pleasing; do any typos jump out at me?  I disregard any colored paper; resumes should be cream or white only.  One marketing resume I saw used the logo for each company where he worked.  Nice trick for marketing, too distracting for an admin resume.  Also I don’t think a picture should be included on a resume.

Next I would look for candidates that have similar industry experience and have supported the same level or one under the available position.  Then a quick scan of the time line, any long periods of non-employment?  How many jobs in the last five years? 

Then I look for computer skills and any certifications MOS or CAP.  I see quite a few ads where bachelor’s degrees are required for admin positions.  Two thoughts on this: 1: does the company want an admin to move into a management position but start at the bottom (then yes to the degree) or 2.  Does the company want a career admin (then no the degree is not as important as the skill set). 

Does the resume give me any hint to the age of the applicant?  There are usually some telling signs and I would usually know the age group that would be preferred by the manager needing an admin.

The biggest no no is for me contact email - people still use their current work email as a contact, which I find appalling or their date night aol screen name!