Avoid These Common Mistakes on Your Resume

Are you looking for a job? The competition for every job out there is ferocious, and the pile of resumes for each job opening is formidable. According to employment experts, your resume has just three to ten seconds to grab the attention of the hiring manager. This means you need to be aware of common resume pitfalls and avoid them so that your resume attracts attention.

Ineffective Design

When it comes to design, there are two resume pitfalls. Many people think they will attract more attention with an ornately designed resume. This is not true. Elaborate resumes filled with a variety of fonts and colors are complicated and make it difficult for the hiring manager to find the important information about you. Second, avoid using templates. A template is dull, boring, and commonplace and does nothing to grab attention. You want a classy-looking, simple resume that reflects you as a unique individual.

Unfocused

A resume that wanders without a clear focus leaves the employer thinking you don’t know what you want. One way to avoid this pitfall is to heed important resume advice about wording. Similar to the unimpressive, boring non-impact of templates, you want to avoid empty phrases such as "proactive" and "effective communicator." Avoid talking about very basic skills that most people would be expected to have, such as how you use MS Office.

Lacks Accomplishments and Achievements

Another resume pitfall is neglecting to include your achievements and accomplishments. You may feel like you are bragging to talk about how you reduced waste by 25 percent or led a team to project completion despite formidable odds, but these are the things that grab employers’ attention and show your contributions.

Grammar and Spelling Errors

This is the ultimate death knell of resume pitfalls. Any spelling, grammar, formatting or other blatant error simply positions your resume to be thrown into the trash. This is not a place you want to be. The best resume advice to avoid this pitfall is to proofread and enlist the support of a friend, colleague or family member to put another set of eyes to the task.

Using Resume Services

There is no doubt that resume service companies produce impressive documents, but consider the difference between your authentic voice and the voice of a professionally prepared resume. Employers are often savvy and easily recognize these professionally prepared resumes, and they also know they don’t truly reflect you.

The bottom line is that your resume needs to be professional in all ways while showcasing your skills, accomplishments and achievements. You also want the employer to see you as polished and engaging. Avoiding these common resume pitfalls results in a resume that reflects you in the best possible light.

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