If you're on the job market, your resume is one of your most essential tools. It's your first chance to make a good impression and get your foot in the door. 1 in 5 recruiters will reject a candidate before they finish reading their resume. But if you're making any of these common mistakes, it could be holding you back from landing your dream job. Here are five resume mistakes you might be making – and how to fix them.
If you're on the job hunt, you've spent much time perfecting your resume. But even if you've gone over it repeatedly, you might still make some mistakes without realizing it. Here are five common resume mistakes and how to fix them: 1. Not tailoring your resume to the specific job: When applying for a job, be sure to tailor your resume to address the requirements listed in the job posting. This can mean including exact keywords or providing more detail about relevant experience. Common resume mistakes can include:
- Not tailoring your resume to the specific job you are applying for
One of the most common mistakes is not tailoring your resume to the job you are applying for. This can be a costly mistake, leading to your resume being overlooked by potential employers. To avoid this, take the time to tailor your resume specifically for each job you apply for. This means specifying relevant work experience and skills that match what the employer is looking for. Taking this extra step will increase your chances of landing an interview and getting hired.
- Including irrelevant work experience
Another easy mistake many people make when creating their resume is including irrelevant work experience. Consider how relevant the skills required are from a past role to the job you're looking for before including it in your resume. For example, if you worked at a fast-food restaurant in high school, it doesn't mean it's relevant to the office job you're applying for now. If it's not directly related to the position you want or does not require the necessary skills for the position you want, don't include it on your resume.
- Using clichés or buzzwords
One of the most common resume mistakes is clichés or buzzwords like "hard-working" or" team-player." While these might seem harmless shortcuts, they can do more harm than good. Not only do they make your resume sound generic and unoriginal, but they can also turn off potential employers. Over 50% of recruiters will reject a candidate if their resume is full of clichés. If you want to avoid making this mistake, take the time to tailor your resume for each job application and use specific, concrete language that highlights your unique skills and experience.
- Making typographical errors
More than 6 in every ten resumes contain an error. If you submit a resume with typos, it looks unprofessional and makes you look careless and sloppy. Worse yet, these mistakes might cost you the job interview. When building your resume, try using a tool like Grammarly to help ensure that there are no mistakes in your writing. 59% of recruiters will reject a candidate due to poor grammar or spelling in their resume, so it is imperative that you make sure yours is free of any mistakes.
- Bad formatting
Bad formatting is one of the most common offenders regarding resumes. It can make your qualifications and experience look disorganized and hard to read, which is a turn-off for busy employers. Don't overcomplicate it; keep your resume straightforward using a tried and true format like chronological formatting. Using this format presents your experiences in a logical and easy-to-follow manner. Many pre-formatted resumes are also available on platforms such as Microsoft, Google Docs, etc.
When creating your resume, you do not want to take shortcuts. Attention to detail and catering to your prospective role is critical in getting you noticed by employers. Be sure to read your resume carefully at least three times to ensure that it is free of any mistakes that could potentially cost you an interview for your dream job! Looking for a new job? Check out our latest job postings!