5 Resume Blunders You Should Avoid
Consider your resume a written elevator pitch: you know, that 30-second speech you rattle off to strangers that sums up who you are, what you do and why you are the perfect person for the job.
It needs to be flawless, concise and, in a word, remarkable. So considering the importance of this document, you would assume that candidates go to great lengths to ensure their resumes are polished and in tip-top shape. But alas, every day loads of resumes make it into the “reject” pile while only a few manage to wow recruiters.
As someone who has been on the recruiting side of the table, I’ve been floored by the blunders I’ve witnessed on some resumes that have crossed my path. Suffice it to say, those candidates never made it to the interview stage.
Do any of these resume blunders seem familiar to you?
Your computer skills need a reboot
The world has changed a lot in the past 10 years… and even in the past year! While it's a great idea to list your technical computer skills on your resume, make sure to sound relevant. If you write “Internet savvy” and only list Safari and Facebook as your “skills”, this can make you sound out of the loop. With over 1 billion users, Facebook is a daily habit for most people – and their grandparents!
By the same token, mentioning that you are skilled at Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) does not mean you are computer savvy - it could make you seem out of touch and prehistoric.
Instead... List the specific programs and technical skills you are familiar with, whether they are computer related or not. For example, if you are proficient in social media execution and strategy, make sure to specify which tools you use (i.e. development, management, analytics).
Show, don’t tell! Want to go even further and prove your expertise in social media, for example? Don’t only list your skills; show that they are part of your everyday life by adding your Twitter handle or blog URL (if you have one) to your e-signature when e-mailing your resume. (I would advise against linking to your Facebook profile.)
You use cliché terms
A company's recruiting team likely scans a candidate's resume for less than a minute before assessing if you belong in the “callback pile”. Using cliché terminology such as "passionate," "results-oriented" and "hard working" can make a recruiter's eyes roll. These can make you sound like a cookie-cutter candidate when you really want to shine.
Instead... Work on you as a brand. What differentiates you from the others? What's your “brand proposition“ in a sea of competitors? Enlist the help of your peers and former coworkers if necessary and ask them for a list of adjectives, to help you develop your brand. This kind of forward thinking can go a long way in getting noticed and proving you've thought about the position you're applying for.
Which leads me to:
You submit a generic resume
Nothing looks lazier than a resume that could have been used for a dozen other positions or companies. Submitting a resume hat hasn't been tailored for a specific company makes you look indifferent and lazy.
Instead... Give your resume a slight twist that proves you've read the job description. People on the other side of the table want to know that you care and are passionate about the position and company you’re aiming for, and that you understand the need to customize and tailor accordingly. It's one thing to say you’re a hard worker, it’s quite another to prove it by adjusting your resume according to the job at hand.
By the same token, it’s wise to tailor your listed years of experience according to the job you’re applying for. For example, if the job you’re applying for is a senior role that calls for autonomy and someone “driven and self-sufficient,” then it’s a good idea to highlight your many years of experience in a given role. Underscore your years of experience with specific metrics and measurable results.
For example, while it’s great to have 20 years of experience at one company, it might also make your skillset seem too niche or specific. You should absolutely be proud of your many years of dedication to a role, just try to show that you also have other transferrable skills if the role you’re applying for isn’t exactly in line with your experience.
If the position sounds like it requires flexibility, then try to highlight your dynamic attitude, and how your past experience required you to deal with different stakeholders and players both within the company, and/or with suppliers, customers, etc.
Take all these factors into consideration and adjust accordingly.
You’re a job hopper
On the other side of the spectrum, avoid listing every job you had since high school, especially if you haven’t held any for more than a year. A company’s HR team will be sure to ask why you didn’t stay at [fill in blank] for more than 6 months, what you didn’t like about it, etc. Too much erratic behavior on a resume can read like a lack of drive, self-awareness or dedication. Even if all this is untrue, it’s all about perception when it comes to resumes!
Instead… Edit your resume accordingly, even if it means there will be gaps in your resume. You don’t need to list every blip on your resume, because if you’re including it, then your job-hopping tendencies might be addressed during an interview. So be sure you have a logical response when and if it comes up.
You’re long-winded, wordy and disorganized
Remember, the person scanning that pile of resumes is very busy and you have less than a minute to grab and hold their attention. Include only the most necessary and relevant points. And for the love of grammar, make sure there are no errors in your resume! Send it to someone you trust for proofreading if you must and never rely solely on spellcheck.
Instead… Chop, chop, chop. In a day and age where messages can be tweeted in 140 characters or less, make sure everything in your resume has a purpose. You can even omit the line that says “references available upon request” – it takes up precious real estate on your resume and it’s obvious. Prove that you’re focused, efficient and succinct – it makes you look like a topnotch communicator. Side note: if the job you’re applying for is on the creative side, don’t hesitate to include a bit of personality in a section about “interests” if possible.
So, that’s my cue. For more resume don’ts, be sure to check out this list of resources. An excellent resume is your ticket to an interview – now go ahead and wow ‘em!
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