Of the CVs and application forms you’ve examined which stand out in your mind the most?

Recruitment managers across the UK shared the most unusual CV blunders they’ve come across in a survey by CareerBuilder.co.uk. And multi-coloured or unusual fonts don’t even get a look in.

Top of the list was the candidate who explained a break in their work history by simply saying ‘I killed my spouse’. Here at HR Zone we weren’t sure if that was uxoricide or mariticide but we did wonder if it was a good idea to check the policy on office relationships.

Second was the candidate who included a picture of herself in swimwear and third the candidate who stated he was sacked from his last job for stealing – but at least he doesn’t lie on his CV.

In fourth place was the candidate who submitted their CV on ‘Garfield the cat’ paper. Fifth on the list is the candidate who explained she is financially incompetent. At HR Zone we really, really want to know if she’d applied for a job in finance.

In sixth is the candidate who clearly stated they were single – perhaps it’s time to check that policy on office relationships again.

Seventh was the extremely thorough candidate who included eight pages describing all the tasks done at previous jobs.

A candidate applying for a position as a chef described – in detail – a salmonella outbreak at his previous job.

In ninth place was the candidate whose hobbies included going out with his mates every single night. And in tenth was the candidate who included his chest and shoe sizes.

Another thorough candidate in 11th place – she included her holiday plans for the next three years and made it clear she would not be changing them.

Finally in 12th place was the candidate who explained that if he was going to be working with aggressive people then he would require additional fag breaks.

“Recruitment managers do appreciate creativity in job applicants because sifting through piles of CVs often times can be a monotonous task,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.co.uk. “However, the key is to balance that creativity with professionalism.”

Here at HR Zone we think it will be difficult to beat the spouse-killing candidate – unless our readers know better…