Things to Avoid on Your Resume

It is easy to merely list down your experiences and achievements, but it’s not as simple to make yourself stand out of the crowd on paper. It’s certainly difficult to write about yourself in a way that portrays your worth to the employer without overdoing it. Resume’ is more than just an overview of your career and educational life so it’s important to understand the dos and don’ts of resume writing. Whether you’re building your first resume or revising it mid-career, it is essential to avoid some pitfalls. An average employer would typically give your resume a 30-second review during initial consideration those 30 seconds can make or break your chances to secure a job.

In order to make a good impression in this all-important first instance, be mindful of the following when putting together your resume’:

Grammatical mistakes & typographical errors: The basic mistakes in grammar leave the worst first impression. Such errors invariably lead potential employers to read between the lines and lead to negative assumptions about your candidature for the position.

Skipping the cover letters & career objectives: Employers get flooded with resumes every day. In order to make yours stand out, you must ensure that your resume gives a concise description of what you are applying for, your aspirations and the value you can contribute.

Lack of specific details: Employers need to know particulars about your education, previous experience, trainings or certifications etc. You may be the perfect fit for a job, but might get passed over for a candidate who projected himself more clearly in his resume.

‘Over-doing’ specific details: When stating your past tasks and responsibilities, don’t dwell too deeply into details about yourself and your experiences. They key is to use crisp, concise writing which manages to convey your point without making your resume too long or tedious to read. Figures play an important role in a mature profile.

One size does not fit all: This is especially important for people revising their resume mid-career. You cannot send out the same resume to all potential employers and expect to be called back for interviews. Tailor your resume to highlight those career objectives, experiences and abilities which are most relevant to a particular organization/position.
Use action verbs: Avoid using phrases like “responsible for”, “took care of” etc. Instead, use action verbs like “resolved”, “served”, “active member of”.

Visually unappealing: If your resume is a jumble of text and multiple fonts, it is unlikely to leave a good impression on potential employers. It is best to keep your resume simple, in terms of format and font. It is advisable to seek a second opinion on how your resume looks before sending it out. In addition, never fold, staple or tape your resume. Always use files, clips or large envelopes to keep it flat and free of creases.

Incorrect contact information: Sometimes the most basic of things can slip through the cracks when preparing your resume. Incorrect contact information or lack of it will prevent any potential employer from being able to contact you. Double-check even the most minute, taken-for-granted details.

As job seekers, the resume is the most important document you need. After all, that piece of paper can help you land in an interview or in the discarded pile. Make sure your resume does you justice!

What other mistakes do people make on resumes? What else should be avoided? Share your thoughts with us!

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