Seth Godin, “You are not your resume; you are your work.”
An effective resume is undoubtedly one of the best ways to impact a prospective employer positively. So, what should be on a resume, and what is best left out? One way to tackle the answer to such an important question is to dissect common mistakes people make when constructing a resume.
Common Resume mistakes to avoid
Listing job duties instead of achievements:
Listing tasks or job duties instead of explaining achievements is one glaring mistake regarding resumes. Job duties are dull to read and don't show what makes someone unique or special.
On the other hand, listing awards or special honors you have won would indicate what was accomplished. However, it would be wise not to stop there. It is also essential to give some idea as to what was required to earn that award or special honor, as those parameters differ from company to company and certainly from industry to industry.
Poor formatting:
Poor formatting of a resume can also spell doom for a job-seeker. Think about it this way – any individual constructing their resume is only looking at their own resume; however, a hiring manager will have several resumes to review for any given position.
So, a poorly formatted resume is one way to get dismissed early. Why? Because a resume that is in disarray could indicate to the hiring manager that the individual who submitted the resume is also in disarray. Be sure to check spacing, fonts, font size, margins, and all the other things that can be the difference in submitting a visually appealing resume to a prospective employer compared to having your resume promptly cast aside.
Not tailoring your resume to the job:
Even if a resume is formatted correctly, if it is not tailored to the job in question, it becomes almost necessary for the resume to be overlooked. For instance, a salesperson applying for a sales position should have a good bit of numbers and rankings on their resume. ( It is best to incorporate rankings such as “#3 out of 250 Account Managers in the nation” or “#1 out of 12 Account Managers in the region of PA, OH, & WV.”)
In contrast, If one applies for a service-related position, such numbers and rankings will not factor in as much. In both scenarios, however, it is still necessary to tailor the resume to show how previously held positions would tie in well with the job being pursued.
Incorrect spelling and grammar:
Incorrect spelling and grammar can also be a big blow to a resume. Resumes directly reflect the person who has constructed them. This means that if there is no time invested in making sure that spelling and grammar are correct, that translates into a poor reflection of that individual.
It is not enough to self-review your resume; it is crucial to let someone else who is trusted also review it. Common grammatical errors may be recurring under your radar; another set of eyes can help minimize those chances. (AI can be considered for this, but we recommend adding it to your peer review, not replacing it. )
Lying or exaggerating:
Being dishonest on a resume is something that happens far too often; however, this is a mistake that should be avoided at all costs. Lying on a resume means lying on a potential phone interview, and if you manage even to get this far, lying during several in-person interviews.
As we know, lies can easily and quickly turn into other lies, and such inconsistencies are frowned upon when discovered. The truth is that sooner or later, fabrications of the truth or outright lies will be exposed, which no company wants to deal with.
One chance to make a great first impression
The importance of a resume, as well as the content in it, cannot be stressed enough; this is the very first piece of information that is associated with a candidate. This means that, technically, our first impression comes through through how effective a resume is.
Is it formatted so that it entices someone to go through and read everything in it? Has there been proofreading to eliminate grammatical errors? If one can effectively show specific achievements and contributions to illustrate how the companies they have worked for benefited from having them work there, this will serve that individual very well in moving forward in the hiring process.
Remember that it is never worth it to be dishonest on a resume, as it is just a matter of time before the truth comes to the surface. Invest time, effort, and creativity in a resume to show employers that they have an applicant who is not just serious about getting a job but is motivated to accomplish what is required to land what hopefully proves to be a long and rewarding career.
We hope you get the Job!