Survey: One or Two Resume Mistakes Enough for Majority of Managers to Pass on a Job Candidate; Still, Managers More Lenient Than They Were Five Years Ago

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May 15, 2014, 08:11 ET

MENLO PARK, Calif., May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Even in an era of typo-ridden texts and tweets, making a goof on your resume can still prove costly, according to a recent survey by Accountemps. Sixty-three percent of senior managers said just one or two resume mistakes would eliminate an applicant from consideration for a job. But, in what may be a sign of the times, the research showed employers today are more tolerant of errors than they were five years ago: Only 17 percent said a single snafu would land a resume in the "no" pile now versus 40 percent in 2009 and 47 percent in 2006.   

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According to an Accountemps survey, 63 percent of senior managers said just one or two resume typos would eliminate an applicant from consideration for a job. But, in what may be a sign of the times, the research showed employers today are more tolerant of typos than they were in the past. (PRNewsFoto/Accountemps)
According to an Accountemps survey, 63 percent of senior managers said just one or two resume typos would eliminate an applicant from consideration for a job. But, in what may be a sign of the times, the research showed employers today are more tolerant of typos than they were in the past. (PRNewsFoto/Accountemps)

The survey was developed by Accountemps, the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals, and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 300 senior managers in the United States at companies with 20 or more employees.

Senior managers were asked, "How many typos in a resume does it take for you to decide not to consider a job candidate for a position with your company?" Their responses:

2014

2009

2006

One

17%

40%

47%

Two

46%

36%

37%

Three

27%

14%

7%

Four or more

9%

7%

6%

Don't know/no answer

1%

3%

3%

100%

100%

100%

View an infographic of the research findings.

"The quick and casual nature of communication today shouldn't extend to the job application process," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Job Hunting For Dummies®, 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Job seekers should take great care in crafting, proofreading and submitting their resumes."

Messmer added, "Attention to detail is required for most jobs, and a resume should showcase this skill -- not detract from it."  

The following real-life resume blunders collected by Robert Half, parent company of Accountemps, serve as cautionary tPhoto - PRN Photo Desk, [email protected] - http://www.accountemps.comales of what not to do when applying for a job. These are actual excerpts from job application materials:

  • "My last employer fried me for no reason."
  • "I am graduating this Maybe."
  • "I am looking for my big brake."
  • "Referees available upon request."
  • "My talent will be very a parent when you see me work."
  • "Objective: To secure a challenging position and accell in the accounting industry."
  • "My three biggest hobbies are cars, racquetball, golf, and reading."
  • "Work experience: academic tudor."
  • "Earned a diploma from a very repudiated college."
  • "Looking for a bass salary of $40,000."

Find more amusing resume mistakes on Robert Half's Resumania blog.

About Accountemps
Accountemps, a Robert Half company, is the world's first and largest specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. The staffing firm has more than 340 offices worldwide. More resources, including online job search services and the Accountemps blog, can be found at accountemps.com.

SOURCE Accountemps