Google Exec Reveals Critical Resume Flaws

They make major Hollywood movies about just getting an internship at Google. (Getting an actual job there is like throwing in a Broadway play, too.) So when the guy in charge of Human Resources at Google talks about  resumes, you’ve got to listen up. Laszlo Bock is that guy. Of course at Google he’s got a different title–Head of HR is so old school. Bock is SVP, People Operations at Google. (Sounds just a little 1984, doesn’t it? But anyway.)

So it’s exciting to know that Google is living up to its commitment to transparency. Laszlo Bock has seen a lot of resumes–“Some are brilliant, most are just ok, many are disasters” –and he’s giving away the company secrets. Bock took to LinkedIn this week where he revealed what he sees as resume crushers. And guess what? It’s not–unlike Google algorithms–rocket science. Bock lists five things. The People Operations guru says Google doesn’t fancy resumes with–wait for it–typos! It’s soup nazi-ish sure, but at Google: Typos? No job for you! What else? Don’t make your resume too long. Got it. #3: umm, get the formatting right. Wow this is sensational stuff! I’m headed for my Google office now! 4 and 5 are more nuanced. Don’t reveal confidential info and–this is huge–don’t LIE! Check. “Dear Mr. Bock, I have fulfilled all five requirements and I have used Google Maps to chart my course to the Google campus. When do I start?”