Your resume is your ticket to standing out and leaving a good impression on HR managers. Still, many job-seekers commit small but costly errors on their resumes.
To help you create an application that stands out for the right reasons, we’ve compiled a list of the 8 most common mistakes applicants make while writing their resumes along with advice on how to avoid them:
1. Forgetting to proofread
Forgetting to proofread your resume risks resulting in your application getting rejected even if you’ve got all the necessary qualifications.
While small typographical, grammatical, or formatting mistakes might seem insignificant, many recruiters will see them as a sign of negligence. If you’re not attentive to details on your application documents, employers might assume that it’s indicative of how you’ll perform at work.
Because of this, it’s important to proofread your resume at least twice before submitting it. If possible, get a friend or family member to proofread it for you as well. They can help catch any mistakes or inconsistencies that you’ve missed. If there’s no one you can ask for a second opinion, another option is to use editing tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid.
Note that proofreading isn’t limited to spotting and fixing errors only. It also includes checking if there’s any missing or redundant information.
2. Lying on your resume
Lying on resumes is a widespread practice. 93% of participants in a recent study say they know someone who lied on their resume.
Landing your first job or internship can be a challenging and tiring process, but it’s not worth it to lie on your resume to make your application appear stronger. Surveys show that 75% of recruiters have spotted a lie on a resume. So, there’s a good chance that your lie will eventually be caught when it turns out that you’re unable to perform your job duties because you lack the right training or knowledge.
3. Using the wrong resume format
A neatly designed resume catches the eye and effectively highlights your strengths and skills. Taking the time to structure your resume correctly also reflects your organizational abilities, increasing your chances of getting selected for an interview.
There are three common resume formats to choose from:
Chronological - This format is a good option for most job seekers.
Functional - If you’re switching careers and want to focus on your relevant skills, choose a functional resume format,
Hybrid - A hybrid resume is ideal for highly qualified applicants with several years of work experience.
If you’re not sure how to format your resume properly, you can use an online resume builder. Resume builders allow you to add your information and automatically format your resume for you.
4. Including overused buzzwords
The specific words and phrases you use on your resume matter more than you might think. The right language can make you come across as knowledgeable, competent, and productive.
Meanwhile, stuffing your resume full of overused buzzwords can make your resume less compelling and reduce your chances of landing a job.
Common resume buzzwords to avoid include:
- Talented
- Leader
- Experienced
- Dedicated
- Motivated
- Responsible
- Excellent
- Team player
- Great
- Skilled
The problem with these words is that they don’t tell employers that you’re good at what you do. Here are some powerful action verbs to use at the beginning of your bullet points instead:
- Amplify
- Bolster
- Generate
- Minimize
- Reduce
- Negotiate
- Address
- Facilitate
- Delegate
- Deliver
By combining action verbs with examples of your work-related achievements, you ensure that employers will see you as an effective employee.
5. Making your resume longer than one page
Another common mistake many people make is writing long resumes. Showing off all of your qualifications, skills, and experiences might be tempting while writing your resume. But, employers only have a very limited amount of time to read through your resume and decide whether you’re a good fit for the job or not.
Not sure how to make a good resume that fits all your accomplishments on one page? Keep it concise by including only your most relevant skills and achievements.
To determine what these are, carefully read the job description in the job listing to find out what each specific employer is looking for.
A resume that is tailored to the position and organization is going to be more likely to catch a hiring manager’s attention than a generic resume that is sent out to multiple companies.
6. Adding graphics
Even if you’re applying for a position as a graphic designer, you should avoid including graphics and photos on your resume. Save them for your portfolio.
This is because graphics make resumes less ATS-friendly, lowering your chances of being accepted for the job. ATS, or applicant tracking systems, are used by large companies to make the hiring process more efficient by automatically rejecting applications which don’t match the employer’s requirements.
However, sometimes qualified candidates end up getting rejected simply because the ATS can’t read their resumes due to the file containing graphics or images.
7. Choosing a design that doesn’t fit your industry
First impressions matter, and among the first things employers notice about your resume is its design. A neon green template is sure to make your resume stand out, but if you’re applying for a job in the legal field, it’s unlikely to impress employers.
When choosing a resume template, make sure to pick one that fits your target industry. If you’re not sure what color to use, dark blues and greens are usually a good option. Or, you can stick to a classic white and black resume design with a bold header that emphasizes your name, like in this example:
If you’re looking for a job in a creative field like graphic design, you can opt for a more colorful resume. However, keep in mind that it should still look professional.
8. Not quantifying your accomplishments
Including numbers and percentages on your resume might seem like a small detail. But, if you’re competing with candidates with a similar professional background, showcasing concrete examples of what you’ve accomplished for employers in the past can make the difference between you getting the job and it going to another applicant.
Additionally, resumes which include concise bullet points with hard numbers are easier for hiring managers to scan than resumes made up of large blocks of text. This gives you an advantage, since they’re able to quickly get an overview of your qualifications
You have to be able to demonstrate what you are capable of doing and what you can bring to the table.
Since you can’t do that just yet when you’re in the first phase of job hunting, let your resume speak for you and your abilities.Follow recruitmently for more job hunting tips.
With pandemic, many things have changed in the professional world.
People are working remotely, reducing the need for presential meetings, increasing the use of video call platforms.
One thing that has been particularly affected is the way to network and get a new job.
That's where social networks became a great tool.With LinkedIn playing a major role in this area, they need to be at the forefront of innovation.
Some interesting features have demonstrated to be handy on a new job search.1) Tagging SomeoneFor those who never used, posting an article on LinkedIn can be amazingly helpful to promote your name.
In other cases, you can tag someone on Linkedin's article if you think this would be a benefit for them to read, and this is perfect for restarting a conversation or starting one.2) Use Interests to connectAnother interesting and important way to use the tool and engage with someone on Linkedin is to use LinkedIn interests.
