A former employee of Google recently pulled off an eye-opening social experiment to test how many red flags recruiters let go when considering candidates from prestigious companies. New York-based Jerry Lee wanted to see how far his Google credentials would help him in the job market.
This guy, Lee, had spent three years as a Strategy and Operations Manager at Google but built a resume that seemed pretty normal-looking with the most ridiculous claims, such as being an “expert in Mia Khalifa” and setting the fraternity record for the most vodka shots in one night. He sent this whacky CV to several recruiters and waited for results.
The results were astonishing. Among the out-of-this-world entries, Lee received 29 interview calls in six weeks. Among the companies interested in interviewing him, Lee said in an Instagram video where he chronicled the experiment and its results, were big ones like MongoDB and Robinhood.
Lee shared his insights and three important takeaways. First, he preached on the need for a clear and concise resume. “Focus on strong bullet points, clear job titles, and the impact you’ve made,” he said to job seekers, adding that while small things, such as font sizes, do matter, major ones are what truly catch an eye.
He continued by highlighting achievements. “Big names catch eyes but don’t worry if you haven’t worked at a well-known company. Make sure your achievements catch the eye with quantifiable results. It’s not just about where you learned the skills, but the skills you bring to the table.” Lee said.
Finally, he advised job seekers to keep their CVs simple and organized because recruiters like a format where they know directly where to find what they seek. “A well-organized resume will catch their eye more than anything else,” he concluded.
