| Don't be this guy, |
When you are looking for a new job, especially in such a difficult job market, your resume and cover letter are the first, and sometimes only, impression a potential employer will have about you. This is why it's so important to make every word count. Not only that, but you have to be aware of the overall impression your resume makes.
You may not know it, but there are several things that can make you look bad to an employer. Some of them will rule you out completely, while others will make them think twice about hiring you.
Even if you have some things on your resume that you know might raise an eyebrow or two, being prepared can make a world of difference.
Here are 4 on your resume things that make you look bad:
- Resumes with spelling and grammar mistakes – We all make mistakes, and no one expects perfection from any employee. However, when it comes to your resume, you should be able to deliver an error free document. A great tip for better proofreading is to proof your document backwards. By starting at the bottom and working upwards, you can prevent your brain from skipping over small words and errors. Careless errors on your resume indicate that either you didn't take applying for the job very seriously or that you don't pay attention to details. Either way, they most likely won't hire you.
- Not following directions- If the job advertisement says that they need you to apply in a certain manner, make sure that you do it exactly how they say. Not following the instruction will probably rule you out for the position. Did you know that many employers put requests like “submit salary requirements with resume” mainly to weed out the people who are just sending copies of their resume to every job opening?
- Using your work email- This is always tacky. You should never, ever do this. When you send out resumes from your work email it gives the impression that you are conducting your job search on you current employer's time which is extremely unprofessional. But even if you are, don't make it obvious. Hiring managers are smart enough to know that if you will take advantage of that employer, you will take advantage of them as well. So, don't rip off your employer when you are looking for a new one.
- Employment gaps- So many of us have periods of time when we were out of work. It isn't a deal breaker, but it does raise questions. If you have several gaps, you should explain them in your cover letter. The main thing a new employer wants to find out is if you are going to be able to stay with their company long enough to make hiring you worth their investment.
When you know what employers are looking for, it's a little easier to be prepared. Use your own common sense when you apply for jobs. Think about who is going to be reading your resume and make sure that you present yourself in the most flattering light.
What other things do you think raise eyebrows? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for HealthcareJobsiteBlog and Nexxt.. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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