Top Resume Mistakes
(You Don’t Want To Make)
Job seekers agree that a resume is the most important element of the job search: No resume, no interview. No interview, no offer. Clear and simple.
Yet, what is not so obvious is how strong and how competitive your resume needs be to have an impact on the hiring manager. In the past 5-10 years, job searching has become global, electronically-driven and, therefore, highly competitive.
Here are 8 common mistakes you must avoid:
Not Strategic Enough – too much focus on breadth of skills with little attention to creating a functional umbrella with which the hiring manager can identify.
Vague Accomplishments – saying that you “exceeded your objectives” isn’t convincing. Facts and figures make your accomplishments believable.
No Energy – using bland words, repetitively, is boring. You need to convey conviction and energy (without saying “I have conviction! I have energy!)
Going Back Too Far – trust me, you will not be evaluated on something you did 25 years ago. In today’s market, 15-18 years is the norm. (Plus, you won’t shoot yourself in the foot as a result of age bias.)
Too Long – unless you are C-level, keep it within 2 pages. No exceptions.
Typos / Grammatical Errors – Most business professionals are not English professors. If you are going to write your own resume, hire a professional proofreader.
Poor Formatting – the design of your document should enhance the content, enabling the reviewer to read the document quickly and easily.
Lacks Keywords – Keywords help the reader understand your core competencies at a glance, and breakthrough the screening filters commonly used by larger companies.
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© Copyright 2001-2008 PurposefulWork.com. Reprinted by permission of Patricia Soldati, an IAC certified coach, career counselor and certified professional resume writer who helps corporate professionals advance their careers. For information about her services, visit http://www.purposefulwork.com.
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