Re: Excluding resumes based on fonts?

[JGREY <JGREY -at- MADE2MANAGE -dot- COM>]

Geoff Hart wrote:

        >> If I've got the start of this thread pegged right, jim grey
         commented that resumes done in Times and Helvetica bugged
         him enough that he'd have second thoughts about hiring
         someone who formatted their resume that way. (Apologies if
         it wasn't you, Jim.)

         I don't think I'd want to work for anyone who discriminated
         on this basis. Not to slam the original poster, but isn't
         font choice in a resume completely irrelevant to hiring a
         techwhirler? Assuming that the body font is legible and the
         job advertisement doesn't ask for proof of my taste in
         fonts, I'd hope the quality of my resume's content (and how
         well it matched the person's needs) would be the sole
         criterion for hiring or dismissing me.<<

I wrote the original message, Geoff.  I've received quite a bit of
negative feedback about the statement you reference.

The post was a list of my pet peeves in the resumes and cover letters I
receive.  It was a vent.  I listed five peeves.  Four of the five were
direct and firm, such as:

>3. Instead of sending a printed resume, listing a URL that contains the
>resume.  Please don't make me have to work for it.  My Internet
>connection might be down.

The statement in question was purposefully much softer than the others:

>4. I realize this one's entirely personal preference, but I'm always
>relieved to see someone avoid Times New Roman and Arial in a printed
>resume and letter.  It's stunning how many applicants use these tired
>typefaces.

In using softer language, I meant to convey that I didn't let this peeve
affect an applicant's chances.  I used Garamond on my last resume;
boy-oh would I be angry if a hiring manager turned me down because she
was tired of Garamond!

I should have followed this peeve with another sentence: "Receiving a
resume in Times and/or Arial doesn't affect the candidate's chances one
way or the other.  It's just nice to see a resume that applies less
shopworn typography."  I regret omitting that statement.

I state for the record: I do not discriminate on the basis of
typography!  My best performer sent me a resume and cover letter done
entirely in Arial.  She just likes the typeface.

I apologize to everyone I offended with this statement.

Peace,
jim

jim grey \ Documentation Manager
Made2Manage Systems, Inc. \ jgrey -at- made2manage -dot- com