Employers Reveal the Biggest Resume Turnoffs

Employers are accustomed to reviewing all kinds of resumes in pursuit of new employees, but some things on a resume can make a hiring manager's stomach churn. It is crucial to avoid major resume turnoffs if you want to get hired.

Avoid Adding Irrelevant Experience

One of the biggest resume turnoffs that employers face is examining a resume filled with irrelevant experience. Keep in mind that the hiring manager is only interested in the work, volunteer, personal and academic experience you have that pertains to the position. In addition, do not include your entire work history on a resume. If the experience you want to reference is over 10 years old, consider excluding it unless it is required.

Add Originality to Your Resume

If a hiring manager is looking for creativity and originality, a traditional resume will not fit the bill. Hiring managers are also tired of seeing objective statements, and a resume that includes one can be a turnoff. Create a personal branding statement that represents you well, and use it on your resume instead of an objective statement. Consider printing your resume on stylish paper in a soft shade to stand out. Some job applicants in creative or artistic fields may even attach a photo to add a personalized touch to their resume.

Avoid Making Errors

Resumes that are riddled with the simplest errors can prove to be a major resume turnoff for employers looking for the most professional, competent candidates to hire. Always spell check your resume and give it a good grammar review before submitting it to employers. If you address your resume or cover letter to a specific person, make sure that you include the proper name and title of the person. In addition, check that your personal contact information and email are correct as well, or you may never receive the response you're looking for.

Do Not Send a Long Resume

One resume turnoff that tends to irritate employers is when a candidate submits a resume that is too long. Most employers have less that 30 seconds to review each resume, so you should aim to make your resume as concise as possible. Focus on adding information that makes you look like a great fit for the position. For most people, a resume that is about a page or two is sufficient.

Forget Lying on Your Resume

Studies show that more than 50 percent of job candidates lie on their resumes. For most employers, there's nothing quite like finding out that a candidate did not tell the truth on his resume. A simple background check can reveal if a candidate lied about his criminal record, background, educational experience or a number of other areas in which a candidate may supply false information. Not surprisingly, most employers said that they would toss a candidate after discovering false information on his resume, so avoid this resume turnoff.

Job seekers who avoid resume turnoffs can give themselves an edge over their fellow competitors. Review your resume honestly to see if it needs improvement, and make changes before you submit another resume.

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