Avoid These Resume Mistakes

By Lee Dobbins

Your resume is the first introduction that hiring managers get and you need to do everything you can to get it to make it through the first cut. Even the perfect candidate for a job might not get a chance to interview if his resume isn’t done properly. Since you only get one chance to make a first impression, avoiding these 10 resume mistakes can help keep you in the running.

1. Having a resume that is too long - You need to be brief while still stating your applicable skills. Keep your resume to one page. If you have a lengthy employment history you might get away with 2 pages, but only briefly list the older skills. If you can’t highlight your talents on one page, you’re giving the message that you are unorganized and tend to go on and on.

2. Using fancy paper - This is not necessary and although it might not hurt you too much it certainly won’t help if your own skills aren’t up to snuff.

3. Using a fancy font - Same as above. Don’t try to set yourself apart with a different font on your resume. Set yourself apart by being uniquely qualified.

4. Filling the resume with extraneous information - No one really cares that you were a singing waiter if you’re applying for an software engineering job.

5. Including outdated information - The jobs you had at the beginning of our career 20 years ago are probably irrelevant to this job. At any event these skills would be rather outdated so simply list that you worked there for completeness but don’t expound on it.

6. Typos and misspellings - You would think this is an obvious one, but you’d be amazed at the number of resumes received with big blaring mistakes.

7. Lying on your resume - "Enhanced" credentials are basically lies. You wouldn’t believe how many people list diplomas or certifications that they do not have! These things can be easily checked on and if they find out you are lying you will never get an opportunity with that company again!

8. Attachments - There is no need to send any attachments with your resume. If you are granted an interview, at that time you could bring in whatever it is you’re so hot to get into the selecting official’s hands. The person accepting the resumes will likely just throw it in the round file anyway.

9. Saying too much - Your resume is the place to state where you worked when and a BRIEF list of your responsibilities. The interview is the place to expound on those responsibilities and talk more about your skills. A brief description or a couple of bullet items is enough for the resume.

10. Leaving out the cover letter - Every resume should be accompanied by a cover letter. Be brief and to the point state why you think you are a good fit for the job and, of course, make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors.

Use these tips to get your resume into the hands of hiring managers then once you get in for an interview you can win them over with your great skills and positive attitude.

Lee Dobbins write on many topics. Please visit Moving And More where you learn more about resume writing.

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