Many job seekers tend to think a small mistake on their resume or CV is no big deal and should be excusable. However, it is a competitive job market out there and even the smallest mistake on your resume could cost you your dream job. This doesn’t have to be your story as you can avoid the pitfalls of resume writing so you can make a strong, positive impression on the hiring manager. If you don’t want to be screened out as an applicant, here are the top resume mistakes you should avoid.
Spelling and grammatical errors
Spelling and grammatical errors are some of the top mistakes’ applicants make on their resume. These mistakes imply that you can’t write well or that you aren’t meticulous. Catching your errors can be hard, so consider asking a friend to proofread your resume for you. Reading it aloud and using free grammar checker like Grammarly are also great ideas for eliminating spelling errors made on your resume.
Incorrect or missing contact information
Be sure to include pertinent contact information that the hiring manager can use to reach you and always confirm that it is correct and up to date. Filling incorrect information or omitting crucial information gives the impression that you rushed through your resume and that you don’t have the patience or time to review the details.
Unprofessional email address
Be sure that you have a professional email address listed in your resume’s contact information. There is nothing worse than an email address that was created when you were a teen (i.e. sexymama@hotmail.com) or that has your birthday/year in it. It is always best to select a neutral email address to avoid any biases on the part of the reader. This gives the reader the impression that you are a consummate professional.
Lack of specifics
A recruiter isn’t just interested in the positions you’ve held previously but also what you’ve achieved. They want to know what you have done via quantifiable results such as revenue stats, business growth numbers, and so on. A resume that lacks specifics in the achievement section might be seen as one filled with responsibilities instead of actual results.
Not including keywords
The first resume reader in most companies is a machine and not a human. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software used by employers to screen out applicants based on the absence of relevant keywords. Writing a resume without keywords will only make your document go unnoticed because you won’t appear to be a strong fit for the job. Use the job posting as a guide on which key words to include in your resume.
Generalized resume
Recruiters can spot a generalized resume from a mile away and seldom read it. Make sure your resume is tailored for the job, and to do that, you must go through the job listing for clues on what the company wants. Your goal is to present yourself as the solution to their problems by reflecting their ideas and values. It is always a good idea to conduct research on the company to assess the company’s values and culture. Show the reader that you are a fit for the role by customizing your resume to suite their interests.
Clichés and passive verbs
Some words have become clichés over time as they’re widely used by other applicants, and using them can downplay your skills and achievements as well as bore the recruiter. Examples of clichés to avoid on your resume are team player, motivated, detail-oriented, results-driven, dynamic, effective communicator, etc. These words are overused on resumes and there are plenty of other descriptors which can be used in their place. Instead of simply listing descriptive words – give examples to showcase that you have demonstrated these skills in a past position. This will differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Conclusion
If you want to create a winning resume or CV which will get you shortlisted for an interview, avoid the pitfalls listed above. The competition in the job market is tough and you don’t want to compromise your chances of landing your dream job!
If you need help crafting a resume, contact us to find a resume writing package that will suit your needs.
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