One or Two Resume Mistakes Enough for Most Managers to Pass on a Job Candidate

Still, managers more lenient than they were five years ago

Even in an era of typo-ridden texts and tweets, making a goof on a 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% said a single snafu would land a resume in the “no” pile now versus 40% in 2009 and 47% in 2006.

The survey 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 + 9% 7% 6%

The following real-life resume blunders have been collected by Robert Half, parent company of Accountemps:

• “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.”