The problem is looking at you in the mirror

Recently a customer came into our office to inquire about the services our agency provides. My coworker volunteered to talk with him, something I'm sure she regrets now! The conversation lasted around an hour (normally such an overview takes less than 5 minutes). Everything she suggested he said he would not learn anything from. He also stated that the jobs companies post on our website aren't real (trust me, employers are way too lazy to do that) and that firms were unlawfully discriminating him on the basis of age (he was over 40, but he didn't look it.). He was one of the most annoying human beings I've ever met. I ended up putting on my headset and listening to my Ipod to block him out.

After he left, my coworker pulled up the resume that he had previously uploaded. Oh my goodness. I see why employers won't hire you, and that's before they get the displeasure of meeting you in person. Here are the issues we immediately noticed. A member of our staff from another office visited our location later that day, and he called out the exact same things.

1. His picture was on his resume

Unless your field is acting or modeling, your picture has no place on your resume. Employers do not want this. It can give them clues to your age and ethnic background. They don't want to know that. They can't be accused of illegal discrimination if they don't have the information. Do not put this on your resume.

2. He listed an old, out of state address

It goes without saying that you want your current address on your resume. You also want a local address whenever possible. Employers are generally not crazy about relocation. This person was applying for more entry level positions, and relocation is almost never considered for those.

3. The resume had poor flow and organization

Some sections had too much data, other sections had data that belong on a cover letter instead. It was not impressive.

This guy said he wouldn't get anything out of our classes (which include one on resumes!), and sadly he was right. He already thinks he knows everything (and he obviously does not). He reminds me of another customer who said "At 50 no one can teach you anything about job searching". To which I wanted to reply "Then why are you unemployed?". Many times the source of our problems is looking at us in the mirror.