When hunting for a job, your resume is the first thing an employer sees to evaluate whether or not you are fit for the role. Although recruiters take an average of 7.4 seconds, your resume is crucial in helping you make the first move forward in the job application process. If you wonder if writing a perfect resume still matters, it does. But, there are many mistakes candidates make when writing a resume.
A badly written and poorly presented resume can get you nowhere. You will simply get lost in the black hole of the internet. Your resume must be well-written to impress the recruiters and pass through an ATS.
Let’s see candidates’ most common mistakes and some tips to avoid them.
9 Worst Resume Mistakes and Tips to Avoid Them
Using the same resume for every job application
Most people do this- apply to multiple jobs with a single resume. Candidates send the same version of their CVs to every job they apply for.
Although the companies are from the same industry, you need to understand that their requirements, culture, and expectations differ. Hence, you need to create a unique resume for each job you’re applying for. However, this doesn’t mean you must sit for a day or hours to create a personalized resume that suits a particular job. A resume with relevant career objectives, information, and the theme is well enough to pass the test.
Including personal information or unnecessary details
A perfect resume has neither too much nor too little information. A few years ago, employers might have accepted personal information such as nationality, marital status, gender, etc., in the resume. But that is not the case anymore. Inclusion and diversity are growing more popular day by day.
Therefore, including such information in your resume doesn’t make any point today. Rather than wasting precious space on such details, you could include other relevant information that can give you an edge.
Writing too much information.
As we said, a resume should be balanced with the right amount of information, not too much or too little, as we mentioned above. Recruiters can spare no more than 8 seconds to screen a resume. This is why it is essential to make use of the space smartly. You need to write helpful information prioritized based on the requirements in the job posting.
Also, write short and crisp sentences starting with a verb. Mention your achievements, especially in numbers, when possible and apt.
Not being professional
You need to sound professional and enthusiastic in every line of your resume. Don’t let the fancy email address at the top of the page spoil the good impression you’re going to make.
The email address you provide should be professional without any fancy or unrealistic names. For example, avoid using stellathestar@gmail.com. Instead use, stella.doe@gmail.com.
Irrelevant social profiles
Including social media profiles such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or social networking profiles such as GitHub or Reddit in the resume has become vital. Audit your profiles and analyze if they’re professional and relevant to the job you’re applying for before you include them. For example, link your GitHub and LinkedIn profiles if you’re applying for a software developer position. In case you’re applying for a creative role like copywriter or graphic designer, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram profiles are good enough.
Unreadable fonts and improper formats
Outdated and unreadable fonts will only degrade the chances of your resume getting selected. Make sure you use fonts that are easy to read and understand. Also, check twice if the resume format is set correctly before attaching it to the application.
Don’t sound untrustworthy.
When talking about your achievements and projects, explain how you performed and achieved them if you have mentioned a precise duration. Also, remember not to exaggerate your abilities or skills because sounding too ambiguous may be misunderstood.
Grammar mistakes
When writing a resume, be cautious about spelling and grammar. Do not leave an impression like, “Oh, this person can’t write
.” Spellings and grammar mistakes can separate you from your dream job. So, make sure you proofread the resume, read it aloud, or make others proofread so that you will be good to expect a positive response.
Not using relevant keywords.
Companies mostly use screening tools to find suitable resumes and save time. The screening tools work based on the algorithms that use keywords to find the matching resumes. So, you need to include relevant keywords to get picked by the tool. Again, you should not overuse the keywords and buzzwords like hardworking, dynamic, result-oriented, etc.
Pro Tips to Write a Perfect Resume
- Include name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the page.
- Ensure that your resume is easy to read and understand within 10 seconds.
- Check if your resume is personalized for the position you are applying for?
- Check the order of important and relevant information?
- Double-check the spellings, grammar, and keywords.
These are the common mistakes job seekers make while writing a resume when applying for a job. Now that you know how to avoid them. Go ahead and write a flawless resume that gets you calls from potential employers.
To receive and stay updated about related content:
