We found this article on Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.com.
Resumania: Employers make mistakes, too
By Max Messmer
Resumania is typically devoted to resume-writing tips and examples of humorous mistakes job seekers have made in their application materials. But candidates aren’t the only ones who slip up. Employers also make spelling and grammatical goofs in job postings and want ads. For instance, one company recently posted an opening for an “aminisative assistant.” Another organization proved it certainly was in need of proofreading assistance with its ad for a “senior copy editer.”
What can you, the job seeker, learn from these mistakes? Often, nothing more than understanding that hiring managers aren’t perfect, either. However, if a job ad contains numerous errors or other questionable content, the company may not be at the top of its game.
Unless you’re a turnaround specialist, tread carefully.
Here are some humorous job ads:
JOB AD: “Seeking a fully charged bookkeeper.”
… with Starbucks on speed dial.
JOB AD: “Art dictator.”
This firm also seeks “design despots” and “advertising autocrats.”
JOB AD: “We’re hiring programmer analysts and mismanagers.”
Candidates must have a proven record of foul-ups and failures.
JOB AD: “Customer Service Representative. Job Duties: Everything under the sun.”
In other words, bring your sunscreen.
In addition, just as hiring managers are wary of job candidates who express a bad attitude in their cover letters, applicants should be cautious of employment ads that seem negative or critical. For example, would you want to work for the following boss?
JOB AD: “I’m interested in hiring semi-obnoxious, pushy sales people. My current sales staff is the laziest group of people you will ever meet. They drag themselves to work Monday through Friday to complain about the weather, the coffee or their manager. Applicants should have skin like an alligator. For an interview, call me.”
See you later, alligator.
Copyright © PG Publishing Co., Inc. All Rights Reserve
Corra has seen for itself how employees who can’t read and spell can cost your business a bunch of dollars. Bills and correspondence are sent to the wrong places, people are insulted when you misspell title and names. It would be one thing if this occurred only among our less educated employees, but the said fact is it is often the case with our college graduates.
Just recently, one friend of ours was looking for an assistant and to be eligible for consideration was that they get only fifty percent correct on the literacy test. Out of twenty candidates, only two became eligible. Okay, so who said we shouldn’t be pumping more money into our public schools? Get down n the basics and rid of some of the more esoteric courses. Oh, don’t get us started.
Anyway, certain employee screening searches will help define patterns as to how orderly a candidate generally maintains his life. Aside from criminal background checks, a MVR or DMV Report demonstrates whether they drive with abandon, drunk or stoned, or within reason. Credit reports will demonstrated how they maintain their finances and, frankly, how desperate they my be in helping themselves to yours. Education verification will tell you whether they really did obtain that degree. Where most candidates lie is with respect to education.
So do yourself a favor and take Corra’s good advice–check them out before you hire.
