Job searching can be one of the most exciting and frustrating things a person can experience throughout their career. It’s exciting to see all of the potential opportunities available to you. However, it can be equally frustrating if you’ve been applying and aren’t getting any responses. Sometimes, it can feel like you’re simply sending your resume into a gaping abyss never to be seen again.
Here are the Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid In Your Resume:
1. Your resume isn’t the right length
If you’re using a DIY resume (a resume you wrote yourself), chances are it isn’t the appropriate length. At Resume Writing Group, their team of professional resume writers reports that as many as 96% of clients are using a resume that is an inappropriate length. Most resumes, with a few exceptions for students and Federal Government applications, should be between 500 and 1000 words.
If your resume is less than 500 words, consider adding additional content to strengthen your credentials. Keep in mind that by failing to meet the minimum word count employers expect from a resume submission, you’re appearing less qualified than you could be. This can result in far fewer responses from job offers. Even worse, a resume that doesn’t include enough content can stop an employer from understanding your true value. If you’re struggling to add the right content into your resume, consider reading our article on 3 Reasons Why You Need to Hire a Professional Resume Writer.
If your resume is more than 1000 words, consider trimming it down to a more manageable length. Just as it’s important to have a resume that includes enough content, it’s equally important not to overwhelm an employer with too much information. According to Indeed.com, the average employer only reviews a resume on the first pass from 6 to 7 seconds. This means that if your resume is too long, they’re likely not going to give your resume a second look. So, all of that additional time you spent writing a lengthy resume will be for nothing if the employer doesn’t want to read it.
2. Your resume isn’t in the right format
Unfortunately, the internet is filled with unvetted resume templates that may be attractive to look at but aren’t actually effective at getting anyone hired. Often, these generic templates use an incorrect format that is not compliant with ATS. If you’d like to learn more about ATS compliance, check out our helpful article on What is ATS and Why is it Important?
Resume formatting is a minefield of potential problems. Here is a brief list of don’ts when it comes to formatting:
- Don’t use a picture on your resume.
- Don’t create a resume longer than two pages.
- Don’t use a double-column layout.
- Don’t use graphics and charts.
- Don’t use a “functional” layout.
- Don’t list your work history out of order.
3. Your resume doesn’t showcase your strengths
Another major problem that is common with DIY resumes is a lack of emphasis on key qualifications. As we’ve already discussed, the space on your resume is very limited. This means that you need to use the space you do have showcasing qualifications and accomplishments that actually matter. If you want to be considered for a competitive application, it’s critical that you only present the qualifications that are most likely to get you hired. To do this, you could consider using the STAR method for writing your descriptions.
Often, people fall into the habit of writing what they did. You may be thinking, a resume is supposed to be about what I did. However, that’s only partly true – instead, a resume is really about why what you did mattered. To provide an example, rather than write:
- Performed daily intake of new customers and promptly answered any inbound questions.
You might instead write:
- Maximized customer satisfaction by using strong interpersonal communication abilities to answer questions and address concerns, thereby resulting in more positive reviews and increased recurring revenue.
See the difference? The first sentence describes a responsibility. The second sentence describes a responsibility, multiple skills, and an accomplishment. Who do you think is going to get hired?
4. You forgot the basics
We know you’re not applying to be an English professor. However, studies show that anywhere from 70-80% of employers will reject a resume that has more than one typographical error. This means that the basics are critical when it comes to writing an effective resume. At the very least, you should proofread your resume as thoroughly as possible. If you’re not a skilled proofreader, try reading your resume backwards or aloud to catch errors you otherwise would’ve missed. If that still doesn’t work, try sending your resume to The Resume Writing Expert for a free critique. Most importantly, remember that automated spellcheckers like Grammarly can only take you so far. There is no replacement for checking the resume yourself to ensure it is free from errors.
Along with checking your resume for typos, you should also make sure your other basics are covered. Ensure your resume includes a city, state, and zip code in the contact information section. Also, ensure your resume includes your phone number and a professional email address. If you aren’t sure what a professional email address is, create a new one. Your email address should look similar to this: john.smith625@email.com
Another basic error common in DIY resumes is inconsistent spacing and indentation. If your resume has multiple levels of indentation, consider switching to one standard level of indentation. This will make it appear more professional and help boost reader engagement. Additionally, check to see if you’re consistently spacing your sections. It looks sloppy and unprofessional if there is a lot of extra white space between some sections and no white space between other sections.
5. You didn’t include a strong summary statement
The difference between an average resume and a great resume boils down to the strength of your summary statement. Including a strong summary section will peak the attention of prospective employers and convince them that it’s worth their time to read the rest of the resume thoroughly. Here are a couple important elements every strong summary includes:
- A clear statement about why you’re qualified.
- At least one accomplishment.
- At least three skills that were critical to your success in your career.
- An overview of your education (if you have a bachelor’s degree or higher) and your corresponding work history (if it relates to your current target).
Summary statements that lack these four elements end up doing more harm than good. A weak summary statement with the wrong information sends an immediate message to an employer that they can stop reading your resume and move on to the next candidate. To avoid this, you want to carefully polish your summary until it’s easy to read and accurately presents a compelling picture of your professionalism.
Consider hiring a professional
If you’re not sure how to write a resume that completely avoids these 5 common mistakes, consider hiring a professional resume writer to take over the responsibility for you. Sometimes, spending a few hundred dollars to ensure you can land a new job more quickly and paying a higher salary is a worthwhile investment rather than running yourself ragged trying to do everything on your own. Job searching can be stressful enough without the added headache of trying to figure out how to write an effective resume.
