Having a strong resume is essential to catch the attention of potential employers. Even the most qualified candidates can make mistakes on their resumes that can cost them an opportunity.
In this article, we’ll explore some little-known resume mistakes, and provide tips on how to avoid them so you can increase your chances of building the career you’ve always wanted.
Resume Mistakes That Can Stop You from Getting a Role
1. Do not attach photos.
According to an eye-tracking study, recruiters spend about 7.4 seconds reviewing resumes. ¹ A photo often distracts employers from focusing on your skills, experience, and knowledge. Furthermore, photos may lead to unconscious biases and discrimination.
Instead of using a photo on your resume, consider including a link to your LinkedIn profile. Many employers will want to view the social media profiles of candidates, so LinkedIn is a great place to include a professional picture of yourself.
2. Use a professional email address.
Email is one of the primary communication channels used during the hiring process. Sharing an unprofessional email address can create a negative first impression, undermining your credibility.
It’s better to use a simple yet appropriate email address. Hiring managers look for candidates who are professional, dependable, and detail-oriented, and your email address could easily complement or spoil these qualities. Try these pointers when creating a professional email address to use:
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- Include your name or initials
- Make it simple and easy to remember
- Avoid non-professional nicknames
- Avoid numbers or special characters
- If you need to, create a new email just for your applications
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3. Add only your relevant hobbies and interests.
While your hobbies are important to you, there’s little chance potential employers will be significantly interested. Hiring managers generally prioritize professional development over personal or recreational pursuits.
However, do include hobbies and interests that are relevant to the role or highlight your transferable skills. If you’re applying for a marketing role, telling them about your passion for writing, photography, or social media management could be beneficial.
4. Tailor your resume for the role.
When you create a generic resume, you’re essentially creating a one-size-fits-all document that doesn’t target the role or industry you’re applying for. This makes it harder for your resume to stand out and catch the attention of hiring managers.
To make your resume stand out do this:
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- Customize your resume for each role you’re applying for
- Highlight skills and experiences relevant to the role
- Use keywords from the job description in your resume when appropriate
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5. Provide accurate information.
Many organizations conduct background checks and verify the information provided on resumes and applications. If they find discrepancies, it can lead to a rejection or even termination if you have already been hired.
It’s essential to be truthful and accurate when providing information. If you’re concerned that you don’t have the necessary qualifications or experience for a position, take steps to acquire them instead of misrepresenting yourself.
Being honest about your abilities and limitations is an essential part of building trust with a potential organization to ensure long-lasting career success.
6. Use an easy-to-read resume format.
An outdated resume format may give off the impression that you’re making a minimal effort. It also makes it difficult for recruiters to quickly find the information they need. Potential employers must review many resumes, so they need to identify key skills, experience, and qualifications quickly and easily among several candidates.
If you don’t know how to create a modern resume that looks professional and easy to read, consider reviewing this step-by-step guide on how to build your resume.
7. Limit using common buzzwords.
“A results-driven, dynamic, and innovative professional seeking a challenging role in a fast-paced, cutting-edge tech company where I can leverage my exceptional problem-solving skills, experience with disruptive technologies, and passion for creating seamless user experiences to drive measurable results and achieve ambitious business goals.”
Doesn’t it sound excessive?
Using buzzwords can highlight a candidate’s industry knowledge, but it makes your resume look generic.
To stand out from the crowd, use specific examples, measurables, and action verbs to demonstrate your skills and accomplishments rather than relying on buzzwords alone.
8. Highlight your achievements.
Focusing only on your duties and responsibilities without highlighting your achievements is a mistake many people make. Sharing specific achievements will help your resume stand out from the rest.
Use bullet points to highlight specific achievements and accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and abilities. Emphasize the results of your work and how it positively affected the organization you worked for.
9. Keep relevant personal information to a minimum.
Do no include excessive personal information on your resume, like your age, marital status, and Reddit accounts. Including this information could also lead to unconscious bias.
Your name, email, phone number and location and a link to your LinkedIn profile are all the personal information you need to provide.
10. Proofread your resume for grammatical or spelling errors.
Typos and grammatical errors make you seem careless, leading reviewers to get frustrated or even lose interest in you for the role.
It’s important to thoroughly proofread your resume for errors before submitting it. Consider having someone else review it for you, as a fresh pair of eyes often catches mistakes you might have missed.
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH THE HELP OF ACS PROFESSIONAL STAFFING
Our expertise lies in supporting candidates looking for a new role in IT, engineering, or another professional level role. We can help optimize your resume and assist you in achieving the career path you desire.
At ACS Professional Staffing, we offer an excellent candidate experience, and our recruiters will guide you toward finding the ideal position in today’s challenging job market.
Get in touch with us today!
References
1. “Ladders Updates Popular Recruiter Eye-Tracking Study with New Key Insights on How Job Seekers Can Improve Their Resumes.” PR Newswire, Nov. 8, 2018, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ladders-updates-popular-recruiter-eye-tracking-study.