By MAX MESSMER
Scripps Howard News Service
E-MAIL SUBJECT LINE: "Please see attached work smaples."
Ever wish your keyboard had an "unsend" button? If so, you're in good company. In a recent survey by Robert Half International, 78 percent of executives said they'd mistakenly e-mailed the wrong message or copied someone on a message without intending to. One respondent admitted to sending a job offer to the wrong applicant; another person said an employee accidentally e-mailed him a resume intended for a different firm.
Guard against embarrassing e-mail errors by carefully proofreading both your subject line and the contents of the message, verifying that you have the right name in the "To" line, and double-checking that you've attached the correct documents. Remember: When dealing with a hiring manager or human-resources professional, every correspondence counts.
COVER LETTER: "Resume attache."
With a little proofreading, this candidate would have made a stronger case.
Typos are always bad news, but ironic blunders are the worst.
"SKILLS: I have great communitcation abilities."
We have our doubts.
"OVERVIEW: I'm a merciless writer buy trade."
Have you considered becoming a merciless editor, too?
"MY MOTTO: I'll give you the higest quality work in the littlest amount of time."
Your motto comes up a little short.
In addition to spelling slips, number-related errors also trip up job seekers. Always check to make sure any figures, percentages or dollar amounts you've included add up. These candidates' resumes didn't:
"OBJECTIVE: I'm looking to work at least 320 hours a week."
Would you settle for 40?
"PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Project manager: Current ambitious project goal is to improve efficiency to generate an additional $8."
No one will accuse him of setting the bar too high.
RESUME: "I am willing to travel up to but no more than 100 percent of the time."
We couldn't ask for more.
(Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm. His most recent book is "Human Resources Kit For Dummies," 2nd Edition. Send examples to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif. 94025. Or, fax to 650-234-6998.)
