I can see from the resumes that cross my desk, that more than a few of our members don’t take to heart some of the editorial material presented in this newsletter, or are taking advice from lightweights in matters related to job search. I hope this will stop!

(For our loyal readers and followers, please ignore my previous harsh comment. It is all the “other” members I am speaking to tonight.)

More and more I am seeing resumes with early work histories left off and/or year ranges left off jobs early in your careers. Friends, I have a fertile imagination. Were you in prison for some period of time so that if you provided the years there would be gaps? Are you really really old? (I’m thinking, perhaps over 40?) And, do you think you can fool me by leaving off your years of graduation? (As you know, I wasn’t born yesterday!)

There is nothing more entertaining than a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. Just like the New York Times crossword puzzle on a slow day, oh how I enjoy seeing if I can figure out WHY in the name of all that is logical would anyone leave off this vital information? What’s next? Are you going to leave off your name? After all, certain names have been more popular at different times over the past 30 years and I can probably figure out how old you are that way!

Last time I checked, we are all competing for financial jobs. Isn’t leaving off important information like dates less than full disclosure? (The SEC is going to get you now!)

I know that some will argue that you aren’t going to be considered for a job as an accounts payable clerk if you show how senior you are. Personally, I didn’t think you were looking for a job of this nature.

Create a puzzle. Make me guess. (Make my day.) I will just have to move on to the next resume in the pile of 500 that I have to go through to find the right candidate. Life’s too short and I don’t have time to call you.

If the truth is you aren’t too old and you aren’t over qualified if you have properly written up your credentials in an interesting and persuasive manner.

Work on your sales pitch as communicated by your resume, and not on ways to skirt the awful truth that you know how to do a lot of things because you have been around the block a few times. (Okay, a lot of times. Sure is exhausting, isn’t it?)

Being seasoned is a virtue. Find ways to sell it. By the way, we don’t say “over qualified,” we say “well qualified.” Sounds better, doesn’t it?

Regards, Matt