A tight economy creates greater competition for job-seekers. If more people are unemployed, employers have to choose the top candidates. A good resume is essential; however, today, it is more crucial than ever before if you’d like your resume to be the basis for an interview for a job. You don’t want to commit these eight common mistakes.
1. Errors
Typos, spelling errors, and Grammatical mistakes are a sure way to get your resume tossed for destruction. It is possible that you are the best in your field, with all the knowledge and experience that any prospective employer would desire. However, errors in your resume could ruin the chances of telling employers about it. Make sure you check your resume’s spelling. If there are mistakes that can easily be identified by a spell-checking tool, the message you send to potential employers is that you’re negligent. This is a simple thing to do before you send out your resume; however, it’s not enough. Review your resume thoroughly. It is possible that you have made a mistake that the spelling checker can’t detect, such as using the word “send” instead of “sent.
Request that a few people examine the resume… Someone may see something that another person didn’t. Take note of their comments. If someone says, the sentence sounds awkward, examine it from a distance and determine what better words to choose. In the same way, you are writing your resume. So, take your time, consider all possible suggestions, and then apply the suggestions that are in line with your personal style and personality.
2. Pronouns (I or me)
Resumes do not need I or me. The pronouns you use are accepted – whenever you employ them; they are telling an employer that you don’t actually know how to compose your resume. Instead of “I was in charge of the troubleshooting of network malfunctions,” it’s a valid statement on a resume to include, “Troubleshooting networking malfunctions.”
3. There is not enough white space
Long sentences that run on for a long time are difficult to read. Utilize short yet revealing sentences, and leave enough space between each section. It will be easier to read. Do not try to extend your margins toward the edge. If you examine the resume at a distance, it must have some arrangement and order. It should be possible to discern clearly where one section ends and the next section begins. If your resume appears unclear to employers, It could be a logic that you may be a confused employee.
4. Inconsistency
The format should be consistent on your CV. The headings must use similar fonts. If one of them is bold, all headings must be in bold. The body for each heading should be in the same font throughout every section. If one of your dates is designed with the year 2002 in mind 2002, another section of your resume shouldn’t utilize the year 04. Select a date format and stick to the format.
Keep the same verb tense on your resume, too. If you have written “developed IMS support software” in one section on your resume, the next is not required to include “design and use data migration process” unless it’s the current position you hold. Another way to mix tenses might include “filing every month’s reports and entering data into Excel and a database that is managed.” You can choose to use…ing or…ed but do not mix them up. The ability to perform consistently at work is an important quality to have in your job. Your resume should show the employer that you have a solid understanding of that.
5. Not putting critical information in the correct place
The resume should include employers’ addresses, the names and telephone numbers of the person they could reach to get information about you, the dates of your time at the company, as well as the specifics of what you worked on. It’s not acceptable to state that I don’t have their phone number or the dates. You must find it. If you don’t include crucial details, it means you ignore the details.
6. Skills for downplaying
If your resume states, “worked in various computer projects,” It isn’t revealing much. The following examples would inform an employer that the applicant was skilled and experienced: “Member of a team which deployed software to 1,000 stations, designed protocols for the implementation of a system-wide troubleshooting database, and directed a team of three for updating …”
Consider the qualities employers are looking for and write them down. Don’t think that certain things should be obvious. Resumes do more than inform employers of the name of your job. It describes how well you explain what exactly you accomplished.
7. Illusory
It’s not worth dying for. If you don’t possess the required skills, don’t submit your application. There’s no harm in using more flattering terms to describe your actions but don’t mention that you were involved in activities you did not. The majority of employers will check your references. The act of lying to an employer before you’ve even been offered the job is a sign that you be lying on the job and may even cheat and take advantage of others.
8. Overkill with backgrounds, fonts or graphics
You may think that the funky fonts that are all over your resume are just a way to display your personal style; however, don’t do it. It is common to use the same font across your resume, but bigger or bolder sizes are the best. Choose a clear font such as Times Roman. Remove graphics from your resume and eliminate backgrounds. In the age of electronic resumes, it’s essential to write your resume in a format that can be transformed into unformatted text without leaving out a lot of gibberish. Be simple. Overly extravagant work can make employers wonder whether you are committed to your work.
