6 Ways to Ruin Your Resume
Here are some of the 6 Worst Resume-Writing Mistakes to save you and your next job.
Time to brush up your resume and pursue some new opportunities! It’s harder than ever to find a good job, so you can’t afford to get in your own way. Your resume is your first chance to make a good impression. Don’t ruin your chances with these common resume mistakes.
1. Lack of focus
A resume should tell your professional story, and it should be personalized to every position you apply for. Make sure that a reader can see your employment history and skills at a glance. Remember, your resume has to stand out from among hundreds. Make sure it communicates why you are right for this position.
2. Mistakes
Proofread. Then proofread again. Then ask a friend to proofread. A fresh set of eyes can often catch something we skip over. No matter how impressive your experience is, a resume with spelling or grammatical errors will be tossed out. Writing skills are an excellent indicator of general competence. Be sure your resume is perfect.
3. Using just one resume
Using the same resume for each job means that you are missing an opportunity to convincingly sell yourself. Do your homework, and tailor your resume to the corporate culture, needs and directions of your potential firm. The more you can show that you understand what is needed and how you can fill those needs, the greater your chance of being hired.
4. Too long
No one has time or patience to read more than one page. If you tailor your resume to this specific job, you should be able to keep short. Extra information, if needed, can be in the form of attachments. Keep your descriptions short and specific. Avoid meaningless business jargon.
5. Too busy
Keep the design of your resume simple. Chose an easy-to-read, common font, and keep to a single font family. Be consistent in your formatting. A simple layout and adequate white space gives a feeling of elegance and quality. Let your words speak for you, not an unusual design. Even if you are in a creative field, the impression should be of professionalism.
6. Wasting the Objective Statement
The objective statement is the best way to show what a good fit you are for this company. Make sure your statement addresses a problem or need of the company that only you can fill. Show that you understand what kind of employee the company is looking for, and that you are right for the job. By keeping their needs, rather than your own, at the forefront, you will increase your chance of landing that position!