By MAX MESSMER Scripps Howard News Service

Last year will likely be most remembered for the historic presidential election, the global credit crunch and the Beijing Olympics. But in addition to these noteworthy events, 2008 also brought a fresh collection of amusing, humorous and downright bizarre resume and cover letter mistakes. Here's a lighthearted look back at our favorite "Resumania" examples from the last 12 months:

"EDUCATION: Studied public rations."

Thankfully, the economy isn't that bad.

COVER LETTER: "Hire me today and take advantage of a diamond in the ruff!"

A candidate who's still rough around the edges.

"JOB DUTIES: Interior Designer. Give interiors a faselift."

This resume also needs a makeover.

Grammatical errors and spelling slipups weren't the only problems we came across. Many job seekers faltered by including extraneous information in their application materials:

"ADDITIONAL SKILLS: I can make bubble-gum popping noises without bubble gum."

That gives us something to chew on.

COVER LETTER: "In 2005, I became interested in computers. So I built one that best suited my needs. When I say I built it, I mean I bought it."

Thanks for the confession.

"FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS: Barely enough French to keep myself fed in a French village for a week."

He survived on nothing but fries and toast.

Hiring managers prefer resumes that are clear and concise. This job seeker was too verbose:

COVER LETTER: "I am not pedantic but embrace any occasion to nurture my edification, and I champion the prodigious accolades of verisimilitude expertise your clients desire."

If you say so.

And, finally, we're still confused by the reference this applicant listed:

"REFERENCES: Yoda."

Han Solo must have been unavailable.

(For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998).