Resume's

On my train ride from Boston back home yesterday, I was sitting across the table from two business people who were looking over resumes. I'm not sure what company they were working for, and yes I know it was none of my business. I really avoided looking or paying attention most of the time as I was doing my own work, and listening to my iPod. I couldn't help notice some of the things they were critiquing, and others they didn't notice.

To me, they placed a very high value on people's college grades. Speaking as a non-college graduate, I don't think that's necessarily wise. They like one candidate (Kathryn) over another (Cassie) because of her name. How can you decide who is a better employee based on name? It's not something that a person really chooses. You are GIVEN a name. So poor Cassie is doomed forever because of her parents. Meanwhile, she'll be wondering why she wasn't offered a position, and I doubt that she'll be given an honest answer as to the deciding factor if she asks.

I was surprised that they saved every envelope, and they were looking at those as well in helping to determine the suitability of a candidate. One thing that bothered me, but they didn't seem to care about was that one page of an applicants sheets had it's margins cut off. To me, that would be a deal breaker. It shows that the person didn't actually look at what they sent in before sending it in.

I'm guessing that many people have been discarded for jobs for worse reasons, but it was a real eye opening trip.