Send Your Resume to the Trash With These Mistakes

Despite being a highly qualified candidate with plenty of desirable skills, you can still miss out on exciting and lucrative career opportunities if you don't sell yourself to recruiters. Your resume and cover letter typically serve as the first point of contact between you and a hiring manager, so these documents form the basis for a first impression. Make sure your resume doesn't end up on the reject pile by avoiding these mistakes.

1. Unnecessary Length

Recruiters get a lot of applications, and they don't want to wade through a five-page document to learn about you. Limit your resume to one or two pages. If you need to pare it down, keep the information that's most relevant to the position for which you're applying.

2. Funky Formatting

Your resume should offer a clean and professional presentation. Avoid cluttering the document with distracting borders, strange fonts or unnecessary images.

3. Grammatical Errors

Proofread your resume several times before you send it. Spelling errors, grammar errors and typos are common reasons for recruiters to reject otherwise-qualified applicants.

4. Not Enough Detail

While you don't want your resume to be too wordy, make sure you provide enough information so the hiring manager can determine what you did at a previous position. Include several bullet points for each job title.

5. Unprofessional Contact Information

An unprofessional email address is a surefire way to turn off any hiring manager. PrincessGrl@gmail.com is fine for emailing your friends, but it's not appropriate for a resume. Create a simple email address for job search purposes that uses only your name or initials.

6. Generic Document

A generic resume that isn't tailored for the position lets recruiters know you're sending out mass applications. Edit each resume you send so that it is specific to the skills and qualifications the potential employer wants in a candidate.

7. Missing Dates

Leaving dates off your resume makes it look like you have something to hide. Even if the relevant work experience was 10 years ago, include it on the resume, and list the dates of employment.

8. False Information

Never lie on a resume, and always review the document to make sure you didn't present any unintentional falsehoods. Recruiters don't want to hire candidates they can't trust.

9. Clichés

Avoid phrases and claims that are overused on resumes. Rather than telling the recruiter that you're a "go-getter" or a "team player," give an example of an accomplishment that demonstrates that trait.

10. A Lack of Skills

In addition to listing your educational background, work experience and accomplishments, be sure to also include your skills. Scan the job description for keywords so you know which skills are important to the potential employer.

A polished resume is the first step to a successful job search, so take the time to make it perfect. Avoid these costly mistakes to keep your resume out of the reject pile and stand out from other candidates.

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