5 Mistakes That Make Your Resume Look Bad

We all know how important our resumes are. In most cases, a resume is the first piece of our work that an employer will ever see. This means that every detail is saying something about who we are, how we present ourselves and why we would be a good choice for the position. Because of that, it's crucial that our resumes paint the best picture possible.


There are some mistakes that we all know not to do - like spelling and grammar errors, but there are others that you may not have even considered. To help you make your resume be the best it can be, here are 5 common mistakes that make your resume look bad:


Not including contact information -  During your job search, you should have multiple versions of your resume. Depending on the type of jobs you're applying for, you may have several. However, everyone should have an online version and a more complete version. The difference is that the resume you use on social networking and job search sites shouldn't have actual contact information for your previous employers or references. Also, you shouldn't include your home address and phone number. That being said, when you apply for a job, be sure that your resume includes your email address in the header. Remember that you need to provide some way for the employer to get in touch with you.


Too long; Didn't Read - An effective resume should be about one page long. If you have been in the workforce for a long time and have held many jobs, you may need to go up to two pages. Typically, a resume that is longer than two pages probably isn't going to be read. Many hiring managers are in a hurry to narrow down their list of applicants and don't have the time to read through a long resume.


Overwhelming Design - There has been a growing trend toward creative resumes that use design elements to make an impression. For example, if you are a graphic designer, having a clever resume that demonstrates your design aesthetic can be a great way to make an impression. However, for most resumes, using a template or design that is too overpowering or uses non-standard fonts can limit your chances at getting a job offer. Depending on the word processing program the employer uses, your resume might not be view-able or it might look like gibberish.


Too difficult to read - Using long paragraphs makes your resume harder to read. To avoid this, the judicious use of bullet points can make the information more readily apparent to the reader. Also, using bullet points will allow you to cut out the unnecessary details and information that the employer isn't interested in.


Using the wrong format - Every business has a different computer system and there is no way for you to know what word processing program they use. There are so many programs in use today, and not everyone uses Microsoft Word. To be safe, be sure that your digital resume is saved in a .txt, .pdf or .doc format. This way, you can be relatively certain that your file will be able to be opened by almost anyone.


Making sure that your resume sparkles is the best way to increase your chances of getting the job you want. What other mistakes do you think should have been on this list? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

 

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