A former employee of Google embarked on a social experiment when he infused his resume with outrageous claims, such as being an "expert in Mia Khalifa." The purpose of this experiment was to ascertain how far his Google credentials could propel him in the job market.

Jerry Lee, based in New York and formerly employed as a Strategy and Operations Manager at Google for three years, sought to examine how many recruiters would disregard the blatant red flags on his resume (given his prestigious background).

Lee adorned his otherwise professional resume with absurdities, including setting a "fraternity record for most vodka shots in one night," alongside the peculiar claim of being an "expert in Mia Khalifa." Subsequently, he disseminated his CV to various companies and awaited their responses.

Lee was amazed to receive 29 interview calls from prominent firms such as MongoDB and Robinhood in six weeks, despite the ridiculous content on his resume. He documented the experiment on Instagram, indicating that recruiters were still drawn to his successful work at Google.

Expert in Mia Khalifa
Image Source: Nordot

Lee learned a great deal from this exercise. He underlined the need of creating a clean and short resume (with powerful bullet points and quantifiable accomplishments).

Lee also observed that although big names like Google may attract attention, candidates should focus on showcasing their skills and accomplishments, regardless of their employer. However, he advised job-seekers to use simple; structured resume templates that facilitate quick access to key information for recruiters.

This experiment ultimately underscored the power of brand-name experience, revealing how recruiters often prioritize prestigious backgrounds over closely scrutinizing a candidate's resume.

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