10 Resume Mistakes Every Job Applicant Must Avoid!

Your Resume is perhaps the first piece of information that the interviewer scans and can be crucial in making or breaking your first good impression. According to Kathy Simmons – CEO of Netshare, a career services company for senior executives – “Employers are bombarded by thousands of resumes and they’re looking for a way to exclude yours.” So, even small mistakes in your resume can be big interview breakers. Read our article to know more about some common resume mistakes & how to avoid them…

1) A Resume Objective Which Doesn’t Match the Job: Avoid using a clichéd objective statement which doesn’t correspond well with the focus of the target job or your individual career goals. Make sure that the objective underscores your interests and should be in accordance with the type of work you’re applying for.

2) Inconsistent Layout: The resume should be in a consistent layout. Set your margins evenly, have an even amount of space between each heading, paragraph and sub-heading. When including a lot of details use bullets and arrange it into short paragraphs to make it look neater. Information in a messy resume has more chances of being missed than in a neat and well organized one, so make sure that it follows a neat and uncluttered layout.

3) Using Someone Else’s Words: Never make the mistake of copying someone else’s resume or picking it straight from the internet because during the face to face round, it will become obvious that what you’ve written is not in your own words. Thus, it is extremely important to prepare your resume in your own words.

4) Unprofessional Email Address: Your email address can say a lot about you. Refrain from using email addresses in the lines of cool_dude@xyz.com or lovely_lady@xyz.com. Always use an email address that is professional.

5) Too Small Font: Make sure that your resume is legible. This is a common mistake that many applicants do, reducing the font size to squeeze in more information. The recommended font size is 11 or 12, however, do refrain from using a very large font.

6) Steer Clear of Misspellings & Grammatical Errors: Spelling, punctuation and grammatical mistakes tell employers that you don’t pay attention to detail. In a ‘Robert Half International survey’, 76 percent of executives said that one or two typos in a resume are enough to nix an applicant’s chances. First perform a ‘spell check’ on MS Word, then proofread by placing a finger on each word and finally have your resume reviewed by a career coach, friend or family member. It’s hard to catch your own mistakes, so having someone else read your resume will help in detecting mistakes. Also, don’t forget to use a consistent verbiage throughout the resume.

7) Focus on Accomplishments: Avoid job descriptions which simply list your duties or responsibilities, instead write active statements which showcase relevant skills and accomplishments. Make sure the employer can easily see how you’ve added value in your role.

8) Never Leave Out Dates: Leaving out dates might seem like you are trying to hide certain information, so always include dates for specific accomplishments.

9) Go Slow on Personal Details & Interests: Only reveal those personal details and interests that can take you closer to the job. Remember that the resume is not your personal slam book. However, if you’re applying for the position of a graphic designer then do list your interest in art, painting etc. If you were a national athlete, put it down because it shows focus and achievement. If you are a mediocre hobbyist, leave it off. Personal interests that don’t make you stand out as an achiever do not help. Same goes with personal details like your height, weight etc. If applying for a modeling assignment, list it by all means but if applying for the post of a marketing executive, leave it out.

10) Keep It Short and Sweet: Remember that the resume is not your only chance to sell yourself for the job; it however is one of the first. Now, no interviewer would have the time or interest to go through a ten page long resume. Keep your resume reserved for showing only your best stuff, the shorter and crisper it is, the more its chances are of making an impression on the interviewer.