Writing a resume may not be the most
exciting document you will ever produce, but it could be one of the most
important. It is your opportunity to introduce yourself to a
prospective employer and demonstrate why you would be the ideal
candidate to help the employer solve a problem by filling a need.
To present yourself in the best possible light, you will want to avoid the top 20 resume writing mistakes listed here.
1. No clear objective statement
Tell the employer exactly what kind of job you are looking for by
using a specific category or job title. Don’t make the hiring manager
guess at what you mean.
2. Not specific to the position you are applying for
The days of sending out general resumes are gone. The resume should
be written so that it clearly indicates how your skills and abilities
fit the position the employer is looking to fill.
3. Resume is not well organized
Make sure your resume contains the information that is most important
to the reader set out front and center. Job titles should take
precedence over dates. Unless you are a new grad, focus on writing your
work experience first.
4. Failure to showcase your most important skills
A hiring manager may only have time to skim over your resume before
making a decision about whether to discard it or put in the pile of
candidates who warrant further consideration. Don’t make him or her hunt
for the details about what makes you special.
5. Taking up too much space writing about old jobs
If you worked somewhere 15 years ago, the experience may not be relevant for a position you are applying for today.
6. Boring, cookie cutter template
While you shouldn’t make your resume “out there,” you can put a bit of imagination into it to make it your own.
7. Writing with typos and grammatical errors
Your resumes should be letter perfect before you submit it to a
potential employer. Make a point of going over it several times before
you apply for any jobs. It may be helpful to have a friend review it as
well.
8. Fails to focus on accomplishments
The resume should focus on the results you were able to achieve for
your employer instead of your job description. Include examples of how
you were able to help the company increase revenue or save money, save
time, or increase its customer base if you want to impress a potential
employer.
9. Writing a resume that does not include keywords
A number of employers will use an electronic database to store
applicants’ resumes. Including keywords in your resume increases the
likelihood yours will come up in a search when the hiring manager is
ready to search for candidates for a particular position.
10. Including a photograph or your birth date
This type of personal information should not be included on your
resume. Employers cannot discriminate against you based on your age or
ethnic background. This information would be apparent if you included a
head shot or shared your date of birth.
11. Limiting the resume to a single page
People who have been working for a few years (or longer) should have
enough work history to fill more than one page of a resume. Two pages is
standard for someone who has been working for over five years.
12. Listing distracting facts that don’t have anything to do with the job
You can list awards you have won on your resume, but make sure they
will present you as a stellar candidate. If they don’t relate the to job
you are applying for, you are probably best to leave them off the
resume.
13. Choosing an unbusinesslike font
Keep the look for your resume clear and concise. This not the place
to get artistic, unless you are applying for a position with a graphic
design firm. You want to present yourself as a serious candidate for a
position with a company. Stick to basic fonts only.
14. Listing an inappropriate e-mail address
Your name@gmail.com is always an appropriate choice. Cutesy names are not a good choice when you are looking for a job.
15. Writing about hobbies and extracurricular activities
A prospective employer may not be interested in what you do outside
of work. Depending on how you like to spend your time, you also run the
risk of offending the hiring manager before you get a chance at an
interview.
16. Listing your high school on your resume
Unless you are still in high school, you probably shouldn’t include
this information. List where you went to college or any vocational
training you completed, though.
17. Leaving lots of blank space on your resume.
Fill in the blanks with volunteer work or leadership positions you
have held if you are looking for a first job. Don’t submit one that only
lists your education and employment objective.
18. Inaccuracies in job titles and other details
Before you submit your resume, make sure that the details match your LinkedIn profile and your past employer’s job titles, etc.
19. Not customizing your resume for the position
Sending a generic resume will not impress a hiring manager. Take the
time to customize it and make it fit the position you are applying for.
20. Using a big font
This makes it look like you are shouting at the reader. Stick to a
normal size font in your writing and focus on filling the page with
great content about what makes you a stellar candidate instead.
Resource: http://www.simplyhired.com/blog/jobsearch/resumes/top-20-resume-writing-mistakes/
