How screwed am I? Forum

[Anonymous User]

HELP! I submitted almost 100 apps about two months ago and finally landed an interview. As I was preparing and reviewing my application packet, I noticed a small typo in my resume. Small/hidden enough that 5 people and myself who looked over the resume missed it but noticeable enough I caught it eventually. Any advice on how should I handle this?

The way I see it, I have 2 options:
1) be forthcoming in the interview and provide the judge with a corrected resume from the outset
2) wait until someone mentions the typo and then have corrected ones prepared to give the judge.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous User]

Absolutely be forthcoming. That type of thing begs for disciplinary problems (potentially career-ending) down the road if it even appears you tried to cover it up. It sucks for now, but better to be safe than sorry.

[A. Nony Mouse]

[Anonymous User]

OP here - that's what I figured. At this point the typo is there and nothing I can do to change it now. Just need to figure out how/when to address it and provide the corrected resume. I don't really want that to be the first thing out of my mouth but I also don't want to wait too long into the interview.

[jrf12886]

Sending an update can also flag an issue that might not be noticed in the first place. If you think this is going to cause you extra stress during the intreview, you could send an updated resume, and if you have additional substantive edits, you could also include those so that the update doesnt scream "I just fixed a typo". But I doubt a typo will sink you if you otherwise have a good interview.

(edited my previous post because I realized this is for a clerkship)

[rpupkin]

HELP! I submitted almost 100 apps about two months ago and finally landed an interview. As I was preparing and reviewing my application packet, I noticed a small typo in my resume. Small/hidden enough that 5 people and myself who looked over the resume missed it but noticeable enough I caught it eventually. Any advice on how should I handle this?

The way I see it, I have 2 options:
1) be forthcoming in the interview and provide the judge with a corrected resume from the outset
2) wait until someone mentions the typo and then have corrected ones prepared to give the judge.

Thoughts?

Is this a federal clerkship? If so, I would consider getting an attorney. Although I'm sure your oversight was unintentional, you misrepresented something on a document (yes, a typo counts as misrepresentation) that you submitted to an officer of a federal court.

Depending on where the typo occurs in your application, this could be a felony. Admit NOTHING during your interview. Even if someone—a clerk, the JA, the judge, whoever—points out the typo, you should deny that it's a typo.

[Anonymous User]

Haha, did OP fail to realize the first response was a joke?

[KMart]

Op - please realize both people reaponding were fucking with you. I hope this isn't a flame with you taking them seriously.

[Big Dog]

reprint on high quality bond (100%, 24#), and hand them a "nice" copy when you sit down.

Perhaps you have an updated reference list? If so, hand out both at same time.

[instride91]

HELP! I submitted almost 100 apps about two months ago and finally landed an interview. As I was preparing and reviewing my application packet, I noticed a small typo in my resume. Small/hidden enough that 5 people and myself who looked over the resume missed it but noticeable enough I caught it eventually. Any advice on how should I handle this?

The way I see it, I have 2 options:
1) be forthcoming in the interview and provide the judge with a corrected resume from the outset
2) wait until someone mentions the typo and then have corrected ones prepared to give the judge.

Thoughts?

Is this a federal clerkship? If so, I would consider getting an attorney. Although I'm sure your oversight was unintentional, you misrepresented something on a document (yes, a typo counts as misrepresentation) that you submitted to an officer of a federal court.

Depending on where the typo occurs in your application, this could be a felony. Admit NOTHING during your interview. Even if someone—a clerk, the JA, the judge, whoever—points out the typo, you should deny that it's a typo.

First off, not a felony without mens rea. Second, there's no way in hell that this would lead to a disciplinary proceeding. Even if the typo were considered a representation, it's probably not material given that you described it as a "small typo."

OP, you made a mistake. It sucks, and maybe you should work on your proofreading skills. Still, everyone makes mistakes. Just hand the judge an updated version of your resume when you get to the interview, and don't mention the typo unless the judge/clerk does.

[rpupkin]

HELP! I submitted almost 100 apps about two months ago and finally landed an interview. As I was preparing and reviewing my application packet, I noticed a small typo in my resume. Small/hidden enough that 5 people and myself who looked over the resume missed it but noticeable enough I caught it eventually. Any advice on how should I handle this?

The way I see it, I have 2 options:
1) be forthcoming in the interview and provide the judge with a corrected resume from the outset
2) wait until someone mentions the typo and then have corrected ones prepared to give the judge.

Thoughts?

Is this a federal clerkship? If so, I would consider getting an attorney. Although I'm sure your oversight was unintentional, you misrepresented something on a document (yes, a typo counts as misrepresentation) that you submitted to an officer of a federal court.

Depending on where the typo occurs in your application, this could be a felony. Admit NOTHING during your interview. Even if someone—a clerk, the JA, the judge, whoever—points out the typo, you should deny that it's a typo.

First off, not a felony without mens rea. Second, there's no way in hell that this would lead to a disciplinary proceeding. Even if the typo were considered a representation, it's probably not material given that you described it as a "small typo."

OP, you made a mistake. It sucks, and maybe you should work on your proofreading skills. Still, everyone makes mistakes. Just hand the judge an updated version of your resume when you get to the interview, and don't mention the typo unless the judge/clerk does.

OP: Just in case your post is serious, you really should do nothing in these circumstances. Chances are that no one in chambers noticed your typo. And if they did, it obviously didn't hurt you: they're calling you in for an interview! Do not hand in a revised resume. Once your interview is over, they're not going to be looking at your resume anymore.

When I clerked, I reviewed hundreds of resumes, and I saw dozens of typos. If we were interested enough to invite a candidate in for an interview, there's no way that a single typo on the candidate's resume was going to make a difference one way or the other. You're fine.

[AFS]

FWIW OP, the cover letter on my application to the Judge I'm currently clerking for said January when he didn't even take applications until June. Sometimes, these things don't get noticed. Or sometimes, the judge doesn't care.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, sometimes you luck out. I sent a clerkship application with multiple typos. Didn't mention them; got an offer.