Jerry Lee, a former Google employee, conducted an intriguing experiment to assess how closely recruiters pay attention to the details in CVs. Based in New York, Lee inserted outrageous claims into his resume to determine how far his experience at Google would take him in the job market, even with obvious red flags present. He reportedly worked at Google for three years as a Strategy and Operations Manager and infused his otherwise typical resume with bizarre accomplishments. Among these odd claims were “expert in Mia Khalifa” and “set the fraternity record for most vodka shots in one night.” He then submitted this modified CV to potential employers and waited for their responses.
The results of Lee’s experiment were astonishing. Over a span of six weeks, despite the nonsensical and inappropriate claims on his resume, he received 29 interview invitations. Notably, well-known companies such as MongoDB and Robinhood reached out to him for interviews, as documented in a video Lee shared on Instagram.
In his post, Lee outlined three key lessons from his experiment. First, he emphasized the significance of having a well-organized and concise resume, noting that it plays a vital role in creating a positive impression. “Focus on strong bullet points, clear job titles, and the impact you’ve made,” he advised job-seekers. “Periods and font sizes are fine details, but it’s the big stuff that gets you noticed.”
Let’s take a look at them:
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Next, Lee highlighted that while experience at a prestigious company like Google may attract attention, it’s equally essential to showcase clear and measurable achievements. He explained, “Big names catch eyes, but don’t sweat it if you haven’t worked at a ‘big name’—just make sure your achievements pop with quantifiable results. It’s about the skills you bring to the table, not just where you polished them.”
Lastly, he stressed the importance of using a simple, structured CV template, which recruiters prefer because it helps them quickly identify the essential information they need. Lee urged job seekers to adopt this approach to facilitate a smoother and more effective recruitment process.
