When you think you have your resume perfected and in need of a career change or a new challenging job, the last thing you need is not getting a callback due to blunders that could have been avoided. What are the common mistakes and how can you avoid them?
1. Typos are a no brainer but they're more common than you think, and they scream slacker. Even the most skilled writer can slip and that's why it is essential to proofread your resume, or better yet, have a friend do it for you. After putting in the effort of writing a CV, who couldn't use a set of fresh eyes for the edit?
2. When stating previous work experience, instead of describing generalities opt for the specific. Meaning share results, actual concrete proof of what you did. Was it finishing a project ahead of time? Was it leading a team through a crisis? Specifics trump the general and show what you achieved.
3. By all means avoid jargon and buzzwords. Yes you could cram together a whole sentence of technical words, clichés like "thinking outside the box" or trendy descriptions like at IT "guru" or sales "ninja", but there is such a thing as tooting your own horn that leads you to seem haughty.
4. Did you participate in activities while in school or college? Well there's no need to share them if they didn't lead you to learn a soft skill. Leave them in the past and if you do get an interview and the recruiter asks to know more about you then you can slide them into the conversation.
5. You know the cringe-worthy header that states your objective is self fulfilment in a challenging role? Wake up call, everyone has that goal, so why would the company hire you, what would you add to the table, what's in it for them? Try a specific goal pertaining to the position you are applying for which clearly shows the employer what they will be gaining.
6. Leave the fancy visuals for your Facebook greeting cards and off your resume. Simple typeface, standard font, keep the mix of dots, numbers, bold and italics at bay to ensure a visually soothing page.
7. Make sure to keep it short. Recruiters receive hundreds of resumes a day and while you may believe that the more detailed yours is the better, it's the opposite. Stick to 1 page and a maximum of 1.5 if necessary, you need to get your point across in an efficient manner that won't drag on and on.
8. Do you write down "interview available upon request"? No? Well then why would you write "references available upon request"? It's a known fact that candidates have references, so save that phrase for never, and wait for the call where you might be asked to supply references during an upcoming interview.
9. Unless you are applying for an acting or modeling job, then there's no need to attach your photo to your resume. It leads to bias, and whether positive or negative, you wouldn't want to jeopardize your candidacy based on this.
10. Leave your inappropriate emails in the early 2000s where chat rooms required cover up names, create a professional one with your full name instead of your resume contact being [email protected].
Maria Najem
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