Even in the digital age, your resume is still one of the primary methods through which you can tell your story and put your best foot forward when searching for a new job. While your resume can open many doors, resume mistakes can just as easily slam them closed. Here are tips to avoid two of the major resume mistakes that keep job seekers from getting the offer they want.
Resumes That Need Proofreading and Formatting
As one survey reported in 2013, 58 percent of employers automatically dismiss job candidates when their resumes are filled with typos and grammatical mistakes. Spelling mistakes, poor word choices, and punctuation errors send a message that you are careless - and if you're careless with your resume, employers may wonder if you'll be careless on the job. By all means, proofread your resume and use your computer's spellchecker, but do not stop there. Call in a second - or third or fourth or fifth! - pair of eyes to look over the document and catch any resume mistakes you may have missed.
Many resumes are also in need of formatting work before being ready to go out. A hiring manager typically only spends six seconds reading a resume, so make sure yours is designed to draw the eye straight to the key elements. Avoid large blocks of text, which are difficult to read. Use bullet points and headlines to make vital information pop. Make sure your formatting is clean and simple, with all paragraphs and bullet points lined up from one section to the next. Fancy fonts and graphics constitute another standard resume mistake; avoid them in favor of a crisp look.
Resumes That Are Too Vague
The second category of resume mistake to avoid is using jargon and fluff in place of discussing actual achievements. You shouldn't be vague and use a resume that's general enough for any job opportunity. Instead, customize your resume for every job you apply for. Highlight what you have achieved in your previous jobs, being as specific as possible and calling out key factors that are relevant to your target job. Establish a core resume that you can use as a foundation, then use research to tailor your resume for each company and position you are interested in pursuing. Reformat your resume for each position, if necessary, so that it highlights the accomplishments a job recruiter will most appreciate.
Job seekers who are new to the market sometimes have a special problem with creating resumes that display specific accomplishments. If this describes you, take a hard look at your resume to remove vague statements and pointless filler. Instead, do a little research to figure out exactly what your prospective employer is looking for, and narrow your resume to focus on precisely those items.
If you are able to avoid these two major resume mistakes, you are likely to keep your resume in the "to be considered" pile when all the other vague, confusingly formatted, badly proofread resumes are tossed out. Make a good impression with your resume to open the doors to an interview and ultimately a new job.
Photo courtesy of a454 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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