Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
No one likes to make mistakes. Especially when it comes to writing a resume.
If yours contains any errors – even if you think it’s a minor one — it can do you more harm than good. With mere seconds to impress a hiring manager, yours has to be spot on.
Many are easily overlooked and you may not even realize you’re making them! But the good news is they are fixable. Here are seven common resume mistakes you should avoid to get yours in the right shape for a successful job search.
1) Your personal contact information is, well, a little TOO personal.
Save your witty email address for friends and family. You may think it’s clever, but it won’t make a good first impression. A professional-sounding one (such as your first and last name) is better suited for your resume. Steer clear of using numbers, especially your birth date! This could lead to age discrimination. And never use your current work email when performing a job search.
2) You have a misspelling in your job title (or really anywhere) on your resume.
It’s obvious that typos aren’t a good thing, right? According to research by Adzuna: “Over 6 in 10 resumes in the U.S. contain at least one spelling mistake.” Does this surprise you? Be sure to spell check AND grammar check so common errors are caught and corrected (we’re looking at you “manger” vs. “manager”). Take the extra step and ask a trusted friend or family member proofread it! You can’t be too careful when it comes to your resume.
3) You mention your entire personal life in your summary.
Details around your marital status, age, and family size do not belong on your resume. It is imperative to remain professional and relevant! You can dazzle them with personal anecdotes and family life after you get the job.
4) You use the same resume to apply for every position.
It may seem like a pain to rework your resume for every application. But if you don’t target it for specific roles or align it with the jobs you are applying for, you may seem overqualified, underqualified, or not a good fit. How do you do it? Review the job description offered for the position and identify ; include some phrases from the responsibilities that correspond with your skills and experience on your resume. Consider hiring a professional resume writer – a bona fide way to be sure your resume won’t stink.
5) You do not provide any quantifiable accomplishments.
Show that you made specific achievements through measurable results, such as how much money you saved the company, how big of a deal you closed, how many proposals you produced, and so on. This gives hiring managers more insight into your potential and what you could possibly offer the company.
6) You list every single job you have had since you were 15. It shows experience, right?
Wrong. Employers are only concerned with the last 10 years or so of your relevant work history, so keep the focus there. For resume writing purposes, keep it current and brief. Save some goodies for your interview!
7) You lie.
With today’s technology, it’s easier for a potential employer to verify your employment history and job titles. Embellishing your role isn’t wise, nor is it smart to exaggerate how long you worked for a company or your responsibilities. In fact, it’s not a good idea to misrepresent yourself in any way. Tech and connectivity have made our small world even smaller – and you don’t want to be branded as a job-seeking liar.
Are you guilty of any of the above? Take the time to review your resume before sending in your next application and make the necessary corrections. You will be glad you did!
