A well-crafted resume plays an integral role in landing an interview for a potential job. However, many job seekers struggle with exactly what to include in their resume, how to format it, and how to make the best impression. What seems like a small mistake could be the difference between getting a call and radio silence.
Here are five common resume mistakes that could derail your job search:
- Resume Length
Many people still believe that resumes should be no more than one page. However, limiting yourself to this small space could mean cutting crucial information that may set you apart from other candidates. Truncating your experience to two or three bullet points could actually be hurting you in the long run, forcing you to exclude details that a potential employer may find attractive.
On the other hand, having too long of a resume could be a deterrent as well. Avoid including irrelevant information and unnecessary “fluff” that serves little purpose except to take up space. Focus on keeping your resume clear and concise, incorporating statements that show action and or results. No need to over embellish and bury the lede.
- Generic Information
While you may be a “jack of all trades, master of none,” that is not the impression that you want to give a hiring manager. If your resume is too vague and generic, hiring managers may have a difficult time seeing why you are the right fit for the role. It can also make it look like you’re desperate and applying for anything you might be qualified for, or that you are not serious enough about wanting the role to take the time to target your resume for it.
You don’t need to rewrite your entire resume for every job you apply to, but you should be tailoring each submission to better align with the specific position. Your summary and core competencies are the ideal sections to do this, but you can also look to rearrange and remove/add bullet points for various work experience as well.
- Spelling or Grammar Mistakes
There are countless programs available to help you spellcheck your resume and identify grammatical errors. Ask a friend or family member to give your resume a close read as well to catch any mistakes these programs may have overlooked. Just because a word is spelled correctly does not necessarily mean it is the word you intended to use. For example, dropping just one letter turns “manager” into “manger.” Check and double-check your resume and cover letter for mistakes. If you’re sending a sloppy resume with careless errors, what is that telling a hiring manager about the quality of your work on the job?
- No Metrics
Numbers talk. Instead of saying that you did a great job, show it. Use quantitative evidence to back up your claims whenever possible. Dollar amounts, percentages, time frames, and other metrics all demonstrate what you have achieved in a clearer manner. Not every job lends itself to measurable results but try to incorporate them where you can.
- Outdated Information
The resume you use today should not look the same as the resume you used 10 or 20 years ago. Times have changed. It is not necessary to include your home address, landline number, fax/pager number, photo, or other personal details. Make sure that you’re using a professional sounding email address as well that is based on a current platform such as Gmail or your Internet host. AOL and Hotmail accounts are outdated. Reserve your “beachbabe” or “surferdude” email for personal use and create something that includes a variation of your name or profession for job searching.
Is your resume sabotaging your job search? These are just a few of the common errors job seekers make. Contact Grammar Chic today for a resume review and see how much a professional resume rewrite could you on your job search.
