Sometimes job seekers have to compete with over 50 other candidates when applying to an announced position. HR specialists don’t have time even to read all resumes but they can determine whether an applicant is worth attention in only 10 seconds.
We’ve made a list of the most common mistakes in a resume that can cost you a new job. These are quite simple things that actually aren’t difficult to avoid if you know what to pay attention to. Hopefully, keeping this list in mind will help you to get a dream job.
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#1. Mistakes, actually
As a rule, grammar and punctuation mistakes are rarely related to the soft skills and expertise (unless you apply for a PR or journalist position). Your literacy (or illiteracy), however, affects the first impression directly. Before you meet in person (if you do), this file represents you.
Mistakes reveal something about your erudition and general knowledge, theoretical base, logic, and the ability to express your ideas clearly. Mistakes make you look less serious, and HR may get suspicious about your previous achievements and experiences. Double check your resume. Then take a break and double check once again before sending it.
Read more: 10 Common Job Search Mistakes You Need To Avoid
#2. Imprecise/unclear timing
Be careful with the dates you put on a resume. If you skip a considerable period or indicate only years without months, it can raise questions. List all job places and educational institutions in the chronological order. You don’t need to describe all these experiences in details, but list them all.
#3. Incomplete contact information
Lately, more people are applying to job positions from all over the country without paying much attention to a location. Some don’t mention their addresses as if manifesting their independence and mobility – that’s half of the problem. If you don’t leave either a phone number or an email, an HR manager may skip your resume, preferring to reach candidates via a contact that hasn’t been indicated for some reason.
#4. Too many details
Don’t make your resume longer than three pages, that’s the maximum. Usually, there is no need to describe in details every job position you have occupied during these years. A recruiter may not have time for reading a long resume, and they may put it away before reaching the essential information. Focus on the skills and experiences that are required for this particular job.
#5. Information that doesn’t matter
Don’t spend much time describing/explaining something that doesn’t matter for this particular job. If recruiters find these details interesting, they’ll ask for the details on the interview. Besides, there is no need to tell about your horoscope sign, all of your interests or favorite movies. There should be a minimum of personal data.
#6. Resume created for another job position
There is no such thing as a universal resume. It represents you as a lazy person or the one who is not serious about getting this job. Of course, you should prepare a resume template but you also should edit it every time you decide to apply for a particular job.
Read more: 11 In-Demand Work Skills Of 2019
#7. Discrepancy to the announced requirements
HR managers aren’t some dilettants. They have enough experience to see whether you meet the requirements or not. If you have zero skills for an announced job position and high salary expectations, get ready to disappointment. “I would like to try something new” is not the best thing to write in your application. If candidates with minimum or zero experience are okay, it is specified.
#8. Focusing on what you want to get, not what you can give
The more “I,” “me,” “my,” and other personal pronouns you put in a resume, the more selfish you look. You are searching for a place to work, preferably a company with a good reputation that can provide high salary and stability. The company, however, doesn’t seek a person in need. They want to hire a professional, who will invest their time and ideas and pay back with stability and all the rest. Don’t start with listing your requirements, tell why hiring you will be a benefit.
#9. Unemployment vs. over ten-year experience
You should mention the period of unemployment in your resume but there is no need to drive attention to it or provide a detailed explanation. If recruiters are interested, they will ask during interviews. Also, sometimes it is better not to list all the places of your early employment, especially if they don’t relate to current requirements.
#10. Specifying things when you weren’t asked
Don’t indicate a preferred salary level in your application letter if it is not required. Don’t explain why you left or are leaving a current job position. Don’t write about your hobbies, interests, where you found this ad, when you are able to start working, etc. before a recruiter asks you.
Read more: 12 Side Jobs You Can Do For Extra Cash
#11. Lies
Fact checking has become easy, and it makes lying much more difficult. Some recruiters may decide to contact your previous employers or colleagues to ask for some insights. Anyway, you’ll need to continue lying during an interview and after receiving a new job, and this is a lot of lies to get lost in.
#12. Improper structure or formatting
A resume is not the best document to experiment with colors and fonts. It should be readable, visually attractive, without elements that put a strain on eyes during reading. Don’t forget about the proper structure. This is not an essay, it should not be straight text.
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