The IT Hiring Files: When Resumes Go Wrong

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Welcome to our newsletter, compiled from real stories shared by IT managers in our community. Sometimes the best way to learn what TO do is by seeing what NOT to do...

The ChatGPT Chronicles

The AI revolution has hit resume writing, but not always successfully. One manager shared finding resumes that still had the ChatGPT header attached, while another discovered a candidate who "literally fed the resume into AI along with the job description" and somehow ended up claiming they had worked at the company before with proprietary software they'd never seen.

The lesson? AI can help polish your writing, but it can't replace your actual experience. Always proofread and personalize.

Certificate Collection Gone Wrong

We've seen it all: candidates claiming "180 certifications," others stating certs they couldn't prove, and the memorable "just received half my A+ cert and intending to pursue my CCIE next." One manager noted the red flag of "thousands of dollars of certificates, but lacking the knowledge thereof."

The reality check: Quality over quantity. It's better to have a few relevant certifications you can actually discuss than a laundry list you can't back up.

The Job Hopping Red Flags

Multiple managers cited excessive job changes as deal-breakers. Stories included candidates with "6-8 jobs, each lasting 3-4 months" and "more than 3-4 jobs in the last year." As one manager put it: "If you are changing jobs every 3 years I don't want to devote the time into training you knowing you are most likely a short term employee."

The perspective: Consistency matters. If you do have frequent job changes, be prepared to explain the circumstances professionally.

Technical Knowledge Gaps

Some eye-opening examples from interviews:

• Claiming Meraki experience but only being "comfortable working on Cisco brand switches"

• Unable to explain "what happens in the background when an email is sent from Outlook"

• Not knowing what a .zip file was for

• Claiming to be "proficient in Windows 6" (spoiler: that doesn't exist)

The takeaway: Don't claim skills you don't have. It's okay to say "I'm learning" or "I have basic experience with..."

Resume Format Fails

Our community shared some formatting nightmares:

• 50-page resumes from recent graduates

• Resumes written in Comic Sans font

• Word docs sent from Yahoo accounts

• Inconsistent formatting throughout

• Pictures included when nobody asked for them

The standard: Keep it professional, concise (1-2 pages for most roles), and save as PDF. Your formatting is the first impression of your attention to detail.

The Soft Skills Matter Too

Beyond technical knowledge, managers noted issues with:

• Poor communication skills during interviews

• Inability to problem-solve on the fly

• Unprofessional social media presence

• Inappropriate interview stories (yes, someone really talked about building a robot girlfriend)

Remember: Technical skills get you in the door, but soft skills keep you there.

The Voice of Reason

Not all feedback was harsh. One community member reminded everyone: "Sometimes people need a chance to succeed and grow. People here who are proudly stating ridiculous reasons should be ashamed of themselves."

This balanced perspective reminds us that while standards matter, so does giving people opportunities to learn and improve.

Best Practices for IT Job Seekers

Based on our community's insights:

DO:

• Be honest about your experience level

• Proofread everything multiple times

• Research the company and role thoroughly

• Prepare to discuss any technology you list

• Keep your resume concise and relevant

• Use professional email addresses and formatting

DON'T:

• Exaggerate or lie about certifications

• Include irrelevant personal information

• Submit resumes with spelling/grammar errors

• Apply for roles you're completely unqualified for

• Forget to customize your resume for each position

Looking Ahead

The IT hiring landscape is challenging for both managers and job seekers. By sharing these real experiences, we hope to help our community members present themselves more effectively and build stronger IT teams.

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This newsletter was compiled from anonymous contributions by IT managers in the This is an IT Support Group community. Join us at thisisanitsupportgroup.com for more discussions, events, and knowledge sharing.

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