Experts: Resumes should leave impression

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CHICAGO, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. survey says making your resume stand out in a stack is important, however, listing your dog as a reference may not make the best first impression.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, showed that because an employer's attention is limited, some of the 13.9 million Americans looking for jobs have found ways to leave a lasting impression, Careerbuilder.com reported.

When asked about the most memorable or unusual resumes they had cross their desks, employers had some interesting answers for Harris Interactive.

One employer said a candidate "listed the ability to do the moonwalk as a special skill," the survey said. Another answered that a potential employee listed a dog as a reference.

One job seeker insisted the interviewer pay him, as his time was valuable.

"In a crowded job market, a standout resume can be the difference between getting the interview and being lost in the pile. But job seekers need to ask themselves if they're standing out for the right reasons," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.

Haefner offered some advice for resume writing -- stay relevant to the position you are applying for; use formatting to make your resume more readable; include a personal summary of relevant experience rather than an employment objective and proofread multiple times.

"Hiring managers will notice and spend more time with resumes that are easy to read and include relevant experience customized to the position. Creativity and personal touches may seem tempting to some job seekers, but many times, it's a disqualifying distraction for a human resource professional," Haefner said.