Your resume is your chance to make a positive first impression on a someday employer, so it’s a good idea to keep it polished. Any mistakes on your resume can have an impact on your chance of getting to the next step in the application process. With that in mind, here are five common resume blunders to avoid that could get in the way of your success.
One fast way to get your resume tossed in the trash is to submit typos and grammatical errors. If you can’t be bothered to proofread a document that represents you, why would a potential employer think you’ll be any different on the job? Fixing typos and grammar mistakes is an easy way to appear more polished and professional. So, the tactic should always be to take your time. In this case, it’s worth the investment, and with all the editing tools out there, this should be an easy resume mistake to prevent. Try a tool like Grammarly to make the job easier (or just use spellcheck in the tool you used to write your materials).
Another resume mistake that can mean no callbacks from recruiters is bad formatting and structure. When reviewing job materials, employers often look for clues about a candidate’s attention to detail. If your resume looks haphazard or like it was put together in a hurry, that’s not going to reflect well on you as a candidate. Instead, take the time to ensure you’re consistent and the content is easy to read before hitting “send.”
A common mistake is thinking you need to include every detail of your work history. If you’re still including your high school graduation date or listing experiences from more than 15 years ago, it’s time for an update. When reviewing resumes, employers want relevant and current candidates. So, only include experiences and accomplishments from the past 10-15 years. Anything beyond that is probably best left off your resume.
It might be easier to get a draft of your resume going if you let yourself use buzzwords and clichés. Sadly, a lot of resumes that take this strategy start to look the same, which can make your resume seem phoned-in, contrived, or insincere. Instead, focus on using clear and concise language and definitely avoid these common buzzwords:
Team player: While teamwork is important, simply stating that you are a “team player” doesn’t show strong collaboration. Instead, focus on illustrating specific times you’ve worked well with others to achieve goals. Your cover letter is a great place to start.
Results-oriented: It’s great to emphasize your focus on achieving results, but “results-oriented” lacks impact. Instead, provide measurable accomplishments and specific outcomes you achieved in previous roles.
Dynamic: This is a vague and overused word that lacks any real meaning. There’s probably a better way to show that you can adapt, take initiative, and drive positive change.
Detail-oriented: Most hiring managers want someone with attention to detail. But don’t waste space on your job materials listing this as a primary skill. Instead, use examples that show you can be meticulous—and that your attention to detail results in seriously great outcomes.
Hardworking: You do want to convey your work ethic, but what does it mean to say you’re “hardworking”? How are you a more effective worker than your peers?
Self-motivated: Autonomy is important, but this buzzword lacks substance. Instead, provide examples of how you took initiative, set independent goals, and achieved success without prodding from others.
Excellent communication skills: The best way to show your great communication skills is to have awesome job materials that communicate exactly what you bring to the workplace and to a role, so your best bet is to focus there. If you have stories where you resolved conflicts or influenced the direction of a project with your words, elaborate on those instances in the cover letter.
Remember, the key is to provide specific, quantifiable examples of your skills rather than diluting your achievements with buzzwords.
When applying for jobs, it’s important to remember that your resume is a professional document—not a personal one. As such, there’s no need to include personal information such as hobbies or interests unless they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for (e.g., if you’re applying for a job as a writer, you might want to mention your blog). In general, it’s best to stick with the facts and leave personal information off your resume altogether. There are still opportunities to share these details and highlight your personality in your cover letter.
Your resume is an important tool in your job search arsenal—so don’t let careless resume mistakes give potential employers the wrong impression of you as a candidate. Proofread carefully, format consistently, and keep your information updated and relevant; doing so will help improve your chances of landing an interview and ultimately a great job.