An Addendum

Way back in May I blogged about common problems with resumes and job descriptions.

I have hesitated to add anything to that post lest anyone think I am referring specifically to his or her resume that I recently reviewed.

So in the interest of not hurting feelings: if you're reading this blog, and know who I am, then probably I'm not talking about your application materials. Between actual applicants for jobs where I work and alumni volunteering I've looked at about 400 applications in the last month.

Again, this is mostly focused (per the theme of the blog) on the trivial.

Without further ado, some strong feelings.

• If you are applying for an entry-level job and your resume is more than 1 page long, you are either overqualified or incapable of appropriate presentation.
• I'm probably not going to read any paragraph in your cover letter that is more than 3-4 sentences.
• Really? You've never met me and the cover letter is addressed "Dear Heidi"...really?
  
• If you list "detail-oriented" as a skill, then a single typo will be enough to disqualify you. I'm not kidding.
• If you have a ridiculous email address, I will judge. So will Dixie.
  

Forbidden Newspeak

I am fully in support of this list of banned phrases.

(I'm perhaps not completely in favor of the enforcement methods, or the practical realities of this list, but were it phrased more as a helpful guideline I'd be in complete support).

For a hilarious look at these words and phrases, a different WBEZ /NPR page has that covered.

Research!

If you are trying to impress me by demonstrating how much you've learned about my theater in preparation for your interview, please do try to get the name of the play we're currently producing correct. You didn't have to bring it up, I didn't spring it on you as a quiz. You brought it up on your own and now you look like an idiot. No one wants that.

I can hear you!

When you talk about me, and my ass, even with my headphones in...I can hear you!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Work texts

Jenny Maroney said "work sext" the other night on 30 Rock, so funny.

But actually, I like texting for work, it is much less weird than I thought.

What do you think? Work Text, yea or nay?



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Airport chairs

I bet I have already blogged about this, but it bear repeating. Making it impossible for humans to lie down in an airport waiting area is terrible. Really terrible. I flew overnight on purpose for a work thing, and it became painfully clear that I, like a horse, would have to sleep upright. Boo, I say!

Now, I know there are a ton of valid reasons why this is designed in the way that it is (homeless people? Space sharing? The blight caused by people lying down?) but it I'd argue that is is truly meanspirired.

Blogged from my blog phone!

Department of Obvious

This almost doesn't need to be stated, but:

The "holiday season" may start with Thanksgiving, but Christmas decorations (and decorations that purport to be all inclusive winter-holiday themed but are effectively Christmas decorations, and any other specific-winter-holiday-that-isn't-Christmas decorations) really should not go up before Thanksgiving. Ditto Christmas carols. The non-stop prevalence during Advent should really be enough, let's not push it before December, m'kay? Thanks, all retailers.