6 Resume Mistakes
Posted: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
by Mel Otero
http://www.recoverfromloss.com
You have about a 20 second introduction and opportunity to make a positive first impression when a company first reviews your resume. In the current job market, there is no room for mistakes in your resume. You cannot afford to allow resume mistakes to destroy the chance for an interview. Frequently, job applicants mistakenly believe that they were never called for an interview because their qualifications were not acceptable. Of course, that is a possibility. On the other hand, it is more likely that they were screened and eliminated based on resume mistakes. Employers are swamped with applicants and their time is limited; the resume review is the first step in the elimination process.
1) NO IMPACT STATEMENT. Consider one sentence crafted to explain how you are uniquely qualified for the position. This statement should be near the top of the resume and can take the place of the standard "career objective". Use a slightly larger font and put the sentence in bold. Remember, the company wants to know how and why you will be an asset. What can you do for the company?
2) LENGTH TOO LONG TOO SHORT. Do not exceed two pages. If possible, a one page well written resume makes a bigger impact. Remember, the initial scan of the resume will take about 20 seconds. Of course, be sure you include adequate facts. It is important that your list of achievements supports your impact statement. Your work related achievements need to convince the employer that you will be a valuable asset to the company.
3) HONESTY AND ACCURACY. Do not lie about your experience or skills. It may take some time, but the truth will always surface. Remember, the employer will be researching and verifying your credentials and statements.
4) UNNECESSARY INFORMATION. Do not include personal information in your resume. Your hobbies or your favorite vacation spot are not relevant to the job. If you are a member of a professional organization business related, it is fine to include this information. Remember, the interviewer does not have time to read a mini novel.
5) POOR LAYOUT. Be sure your resume is reader friendly. Use plain white good quality bond paper (no colors, no hearts or flowers). The layout should be simple and professional. Be sure the formatting is consistent throughout the resume. Never send a resume that has not been spell checked, reviewed by you and then reviewed by a trusted associate. Remember, some mistakes are not caught by spell check!
6) NO CONTACT INFORMATION OR INAPPROPRIATE EMAIL ADDRESS. Sounds silly doesn't it? Failure to include current contact information is a common mistake in resumes. This mistake will likely get your resume tossed out. Another mistake that sends the employer a negative impression is an inappropriate email address. Your old college email address or the cute one you use for your significant other should not be used for your job search. It is very easy to get a free email address and account with your name and the generic provider, i.e. "your name@provider.com ". This also keeps your job search emails organized and separated from personal or other business related emails. Remember, simple mistakes can send the wrong message and eliminate you from consideration.
As you plan your job search, keep in mind that you will need more than one resume. If you want to improve your chances for an interview, each resume should target the position you are seeking. The resume is your opportunity to sell yourself and get that interview. The company wants to know why you should be hired for this position not a laundry list of your character traits and skills that might qualify you for various other positions. The resume needs to convince the reader that you are the uniquely qualified person for this position.
For more information on a Winning Resume and tips for Coping With Job Loss
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