As you are probably aware, resumes are an important part of the job search process. Resumes should be well-written, concise, easy to read, and free of mistakes. The last thing anyone wants is to have what is resume CV thrown in the trash because it has errors or omissions that could have been easily avoided with some careful editing. This article will cover seven common resume mistakes people often make when creating their resumes.
Spelling and Grammatical Mistakes
It is never good to send out your resume with spelling or grammar errors. It is especially important when applying for jobs in the United States because most employers expect flawless written English from resumes and cover letters (foreign applicants may get away with minor mistakes).
If possible, ask someone else to review your resume and provide feedback on its quality. That way, you can ensure that there aren’t any glaring problems that need to be fixed before submission. The best thing about having another person check your work is that they will probably find things you missed throughout the editing process (e.g., small mistakes, poor word choice).
Even if you think your resume is perfect and free of errors. It’s still a good idea to ask for feedback from other people before sending it out.
Missing or Inaccurate Contact Information
Avoid missing or inaccurate contact information on your resume at all costs. It is especially important for applicants looking to work in the U.S. because most employers here want a phone number and email address from candidates (although some people will still accept P.O. Boxes). It would help if you used a P.O. Box. As far as cell phone numbers go, stick with landlines unless you have an unlimited data plan (in which case, do whatever works best for you).
Adding an Unprofessional Email Address | Resume Mistakes
Avoid adding an unprofessional email address to your resume at all costs. This mistake is common among younger job seekers (high school and college students). They will often use the same email account they used in high school or during their freshman year of college, which can be problematic.
First, you want employers to look at your resume without hesitation. Because it contains a valid email address that belongs to someone serious about finding work, suppose there are spelling errors within this particular section of your resume. Then, people might not take you seriously when reading through other parts of it either (even though spell check should catch these issues while proofreading).
Finally, using different emails with each application may help separate spam from legitimate messages.
Adding Irrelevant and Obsolete Information
Avoid adding irrelevant and obsolete information to your resume at all costs. This mistake is common among older job seekers (college graduates). They will often include their high school achievements on a college-level resume or list hobbies that they don’t have time for anymore because of the demands of full-time employment.
Neither of these things belongs on a resume, especially if you’re applying for jobs in the working world (for obvious reasons). However, employers want to know what’s relevant about you before making hiring decisions.
Not Demonstrating Relevant Results | Resume Mistakes
It is a common issue that people tend to overlook when writing resumes for their first or second jobs out of college. These individuals will often list responsibilities and duties without any qualitative evidence of success in the workplace. Applicants who demonstrate success across multiple roles within previous companies stand out more than those who lack concrete examples of achievement throughout their careers.
Using Cliché Buzzwords and Keywords
Avoid using cliché buzzwords and keywords in your resume at all costs. This mistake is common among older job seekers (college graduates). They will often include generic phrases that have been used by hundreds of other applicants within the same industry. It tells employers nothing about them as a person.
It might even make them wonder if you can think outside the box or come up with ideas independently without needing a template to follow. Employers want people who can contribute something new towards organizational goals because this helps their business grow and succeed. If they don’t see anything special about someone’s background, then hiring managers could feel like they’ve heard everything good there is to say before making a decision.
Having an Overly-Generalized Resume
Avoid having an overly-generalized resume at all costs. This mistake is common among older job seekers (college graduates). They will often write things like “Marketing Analyst” or “Business Development Representative” without providing any context about the specific industry they want to work in, what their specialities are, or whom they would be working for if given this opportunity.
Final Thoughts:
Employers understand that people change jobs over time. But, unfortunately, you don’t always have a lot of information available on your previous managers/employees when applying for new roles within different industries. Avoiding these resume mistakes can help you get seen by prospective employers for the jobs you want. To learn more about this subject, continue reading this blog for more helpful articles.
