Employers and recruiters look at dozens of resumes. Job seekers want to ensure that their resume is polished, professional, and attracts attention for the right reasons. You may have all of the necessary information on your resume, but it still might not be making the impact you were hoping for. Other features may be distracting an employer’s attention away from seeing why you are a great fit for the position.
1. Photos or graphics
Unless you are applying to be a model or actor, your photo has no place on your resume. Although discrimination is illegal, you could be unintentionally swaying a recruiter’s decision. Graphics and images do little more than take up valuable space. If you are a graphic designer, they could show your abilities, but for the majority of job seekers, it has nothing to do with demonstrating how well they can do the job or the results they achieve.
2. Blocks of text
Employers want to be able to easily scan through your experience and get a feel for what you have done. Lumping everything together into a solid block of text means they have to spend more time trying to pick out key accomplishments. Breaking things up by using bullets to emphasize key points makes it easier to see what you have done and the results you have generated.
3. Irrelevant information
Focus on the essentials that position you as a strong candidate for the job. You do not have to outline every single thing you did in each role. Highlight those that are most relevant and show what you can do for your next employer. It is better to have a concise list with a clear focus rather than making employers try to decide how each bullet point applies.
4. Inconsistencies
Stick with a standard, professional appearance. Using fancy fonts can impact readability or give a more informal impression. Changing the layout part way through can make your resume more confusing to follow. Make sure that if you list the company and then the position, you follow this style throughout. If your job title is bold in one entry, it should be bold in every entry.
5. Hobbies
While there are the occasional times where your hobby may be completely relevant to your career and provide support, many times this is not the case. Listing your hobbies can take the focus away from your professional qualifications because now the employer is distracted trying to determine how they play a part in your fit for the role. If they really want to know how you spend your free time, they could inquire during an interview.
6. Spelling or grammar gaffes
Nothing can turn off an employer quite like a resume littered with spelling and grammar errors. Not only can this change the meaning of a sentence, it can show that you are careless in your work. Strong communication skills are essential in many jobs, and employers want to know that when you are corresponding with clients, you will positively reflect the company. When filling out formal documents, they want to know that they will be accurate. A seemingly minor mistake could have a huge impact.
Let the team at Chic Resumes help you minimize distractions on your resume while maximizing impact. From resumes and cover letters to thank you notes, we help you present yourself in a professional light and attract the right kind of attention from employers. To get started updating your resume, contact Chic Resumes at (803) 831-7444 or by emailing resumewriting@grammarchic.net.
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Amanda E. Clark founded Grammar Chic in 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds degrees in Journalism, Political Science, and English. She launched Grammar Chic after freelancing for several years while simultaneously leading marketing and advertising initiatives for several Fortune 500 companies.
