As a career coach, I've seen countless job applicants make the same mistakes when writing their resumes.
From unprofessional formatting to not tailoring it to the position they're applying for - these errors can cost you an interview and ultimately, the job!
In this blog post, I'll cover 10 of the most common resume-writing mistakes and how to avoid them. With some simple tips and helpful online tools, you can craft a professional resume that stands out from the competition and lands you your dream job!
Establishing Expert Credentials
As a certified career coach with many years of experience in human resources (HR) and recruitment, I've had firsthand experience reviewing resumes and helping job seekers find employment. I'm here to teach you how to create an attention-grabbing resume that will get you noticed by employers - so let's get started!
Mistake 1: Unprofessional Formatting
One of the quickest ways for your resume to be disregarded is if it looks sloppy or unprofessional.
Employers are looking for basic design elements such as alignment, margins, fonts, and spacing that make up a professional-looking document.
The good news is that there are plenty of online resources available that offer professionally designed templates - making it easy to create a beautiful resume quickly and easily. Canva, Venngage, and Creative Market are just some of the many sites offering free templates you can customize to your needs.
How to Avoid: Use a Professionally Designed Resume Template
Using a pre-made template is an easy and effective way to create a professional-looking resume without having to worry about formatting issues. Select the template of your choice, enter your personal information, and voila - you have a one-of-a-kind resume!
Mistake 2: Grammatical and Spelling Errors
Grammar and spelling mistakes are another surefire way for your resume to end up in the 'no' pile.
Even if you're not necessarily known for being the best speller, you must double-check all of the words on your resume.
Employers will be looking for strong communication skills, and any errors in your resume can signal a lack of attention to detail or carelessness - two qualities you don't want to be associated with your name!
How to Avoid: Proofread or Utilize a Resume Writing Tool
First and foremost, take the time to read over your resume several times before submitting it.
If you're not confident enough about your ability to proofread, no problem, loads of tools are available that you can use for spelling and grammar mistakes, such as Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and the Hemingway Editor.
All three are easy to use and offer free versions, so you won't break the bank trying to get a perfect resume!
Mistake 3: Unclear Objective Statement
Employers need to understand what you have to offer right away, so having an objective statement is essential in any resume. That said, it's easy for job seekers to get carried away with their objective statement and include too much unnecessary information.
How to Avoid: Keep It Short & Sweet
Your objective statement should be no longer than two sentences and should focus on the skills and qualifications that make you a valuable asset in your field. Be sure to keep it concise but also highlight your value - this gives potential employers a clear idea of who you are as a professional!
Mistake 4: Not Tailoring Resume to Job Posting
If you're applying for multiple positions, it can be tempting to use the same resume for each application.
However, this is a mistake - employers want to see that you've aligned your experience and qualifications with the position desired.
This shows them that you understand and appreciate the job requirements - making it more likely that they'll consider you as a candidate!
How to Avoid: Research the Job & Use Relevant Language
When writing your resume, take some extra time to research the job posting and incorporate any relevant language or skills into your document. Doing so will show employers that you know about your industry and have tailored your experience specifically for them.
Mistake 5: Over-Emphasizing Job Duties & Responsibilities
Include your job duties and responsibilities in your resume, but it shouldn't be the main focus.
Employers want to know what you accomplished during your time at that position - not just a list of everything that was required of you!
Leaving this out can leave employers with the impression that you only followed orders and didn't take initiative in any project or task.
How to Avoid: Highlight Accomplishments & Results
Rather than simply listing your job duties, provide context for each one by highlighting any accomplishments or results associated with them.
Highlighting what you achieved will show potential employers that you took ownership of your job and were able to deliver tangible results!
Mistake 6: Not Showcasing Your Relevant Skills
When listing your skills, always focus on those most relevant to the position you're applying for.
It can be tempting to include every single skill you have in hopes of impressing employers - but this can do more harm than good, as it could make it appear like you don't specialize in any specific area.
How to Avoid: List Relevant Skills & Include Examples
Take some extra time to research the job posting and list only the skills that match up with those required by the employer.
Once you've done that, back each skill up with an example of how you've used it in the past to show potential employers that you're confident and knowledgeable about your skillset - making them more likely to consider you as a candidate!
Mistake 7: Not Including Contact Information
Though obvious, it's worth noting that leaving out contact information is not ideal when submitting a resume.
While some applicants may think giving their name and email address at the top is enough, employers need more than that.
At least include your phone number - if not other social media links or professional website URLs!
How to Avoid: Include All Relevant Contact Information
At the very minimum, include your full name, phone number, and email address on your resume. Other helpful pieces of information include other social media links (e.g., Linkedin, Twitter, etc.) and a website URL if you have one!
Mistake 8: Not Including Education or Certifications
If you're starting in your career, list any degrees or certifications that might be relevant to the job.
If you've been in the workforce for some time and don't have any courses or certifications listed on your resume, no problem - employers understand that not everyone will have this information at hand!
How To Avoid: List Any Relevant Degrees & Certifications
Always include any educational background and professional certifications that might give you an edge over other applicants. Doing so shows employers that you have the necessary knowledge and training to be a successful candidate for the job!
Mistake 9: Unprofessional Formatting
Employers want to see resumes organized in a clear, professional manner - not just a block of text with no formatting.
A poor or ineffective format can make your resume difficult to read, which might lead potential employers to think that you aren't serious about the position or lack attention to detail.
How To Avoid: Utilize Online Resume Builders & Templates
If creating a resume from scratch feels daunting, don't worry - there are plenty of online tools and templates out there to help you get the job done.
Services like Canva, Adobe Spark, and The Resume Builder can help create a professional resume.
Mistake 10: Not Proofreading
After spending time perfecting your resume, you must take a few minutes to review your work for any errors or typos before submitting it for consideration.
Employers look for candidates who are detail-oriented and pay attention to the little things - so always double-check your work before sending in that application!
How To Avoid: Double Check Everything Before Submitting
Take some extra time to proofread your resume and ensure there are no grammar or spelling mistakes - or any other errors that could jeopardize your application. If you're unsure where to start, ask a friend or family member to review it and provide feedback.
Takeaway
Writing an effective resume can be daunting, but with the correct preparation and attention to detail, you can make sure that yours stands out from the rest! Avoid common pitfalls like not tailoring your resume for the job posting, not showcasing relevant skills, and not proofreading by researching the job posting carefully, listing only relevant skills (with examples!), and double-checking everything before submitting. Utilizing online tools and templates can also help create an effective resume in no time!
