Studying the Grandpa Simpson Effect - Resumes and Cover Letters That Go Forever

Grandpa Simpson from the hit TV series "The Simpsons" is one of my favourite characters. His character flaw is that he rambles on and on without actually saying anything useful. The consequence is that he struggles for attention, he alienates those around him and he is frequently ignored or overlooked. If you think about it, this is exactly the kind of attention, or lack thereof, that we dread when we submit a job application.

And although Grandpa Simpson is not real, his actions and the reactions of those around him are certainly funny because they are a realistic - slightly exaggerated - reflection of real people's emotions. In other words, poor old Grandpa could easily be a champion for overworked cover letters and resumes. They may well provoke the same emotions in employers as Grandpa does with his family.

From an employer's viewpoint the tendency for boredom is amplified by the sheer volume of applications that need to be considered. One after the other - claims of excellence, claims of expertise and claims of highly developed skills dominate the messages presented in the job application pile. The only thing more boring than the relentless barrage of self-promotion is the long winded application that was naively written as if the reader was interested in every irrelevant aspect of the job applicants' life.

Yes, the Grandpa Simpson style job application is destined to be overlooked as the busy employer strives to get through all applications on schedule. Even if the employer was patient enough to read it, what message would he/she take from the multitudes of facts and experiences? How can one ensure that the key points are absorbed?

Consider this example: If I asked you to tell me what experiences make you unique as a person would you describe people and events from the distant past that you have long forgotten and had minimal influence on you even when your paths did cross? Or would you describe turning points, revelations, key decisions, heartbreak or other moments that caused you to reflect and were powerful enough to inspire change?

The concept is the same with job applications, the irrelevant parts are...irrelevant. And the key points need the space and the limited time to shine. To represent the journey and experiences that make you capable of performing the job. To be noticed at a glance and to tell a story of growth and development without having to filter unnecessary information.

Don't let the Grandpa Simpson effect rob your key experiences of exposure. Ensure that every word in your job application is important and relevant to the reader. Be clear, concise and convincing as you describe the experiences that helped you to develop the skills that you are now advertising.

Want to see some examples? Find sample Resumes here. Or perhaps you want some assistance narrowing down the career pathway that you want to pursue?