...than a bad person with (possibly bad) experience.

However, I do suffer from being unable to write a few sentences without any typos. That's why I edit about 90% of my posts after the fact. Still, they slip by. I also knowingly leave out commas sometimes even where they would be helpful. And use sentence fragments, even though I know it's not right.

I think my resume skills have gotten better over the past 10 years, but when I look back on some of my past resumes I'm horrified.

My dad was very successful in business, and he never wrote his own resume. My mom wrote them for him.

of resume incompetence.

I am long retired, but used to work for a software company in Dallas. When looking for a support person, we would always start with an ad in the newspaper with our phone number to call. What so many of the applicants did not realize was that the initial phone call was an important first step in the job interview. The job required excellent phone skills and ability to always be supportive to our clients.

I used to take the calls and only a few would go to the next step. Some, especially men thought they were talking to a secretary, not the second highest person in charge of the company and they let it show. They failed the test, didn't want a customer support person talking down to one of our clients. Some just asked for our mailing address to send a resume, this was not a people person So keep in mind, whether it is a phone call or mailing a resume, make sure you are showing the important things the employer is looking for.

and has no references. That would be mine. Running home businesses puts one in that situation, and HR people don't understand it at all. Once you're on your own, they have no need for you.