Top Ten Resume Mistakes

Your resume is your first impression to hiring managers and you’ve got to do all you can to make sure it makes it through the first cut. Even if you are the most qualified person for the job, your resume, if not done properly, can knock you out of the running. Since you only get one chance to make a first impression, avoid these 10 common resume mistakes.

1. Too many pages – 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. Fancy paper – You don’t need fancy paper to show them that you are the perfect person for the job. And if you aren’t the paper isn’t going to help.

3. 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. Irrelevant info – No one really cares that you were a singing waiter if you’re applying for an accountant job.

5. Outdated information – Does it matter than you had a newspaper route and were on the high school cheerleading squad 24 years ago? No, not in the least. Leave it off.

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. Falsified information – “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 – At the resume stage do not send any attachments, whatsoever. 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.

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 type-o’s or grammatical errors.

Avoiding these 10 resume mistakes will help get you in for the interview. Once in, you can use your wining personality and great skills to get you the job. If you don’t make it past the first cut, due to any of the above fatal mistakes, your beautiful resume will be used to wipe up coffee spills or will be added to the recycle pile! Don’t let that happen to you.