Did you know that some hiring managers may scan more than 100 resumes to fill just one position? This means a hiring manager will likely spend less than 6 seconds scanning each one. Obviously, you’ll want to make your resume worth a closer look!
I must confess, I could have easily written more than 6 resume mistakes I see all too often. Don’t worry, i’m working on creating a course on crafting the perfect resume.
But in the mean time, here are certainly some of the most common mistakes I see on resumes…..
Here Are Six Resume Mistakes to Avoid
Highschool
Unless you have just graduated, leave this off your resume. I once saw a 26-page resume that had not only a clients kindergarten on it, but also the teacher! I mention this point because it seems older workers are still putting this information on their resumes.
“Unrelated Work Experience”
A 2015 resume should only contain past relevant jobs you have held within the last 10-15 years. Skills you acquired 20 plus years ago will typically be outdated for today’s opportunities.
If you aren’t sure about how to put your work history into your resume, book an advising session with me to find out the best way to present your background.
Photos
I still see people putting photos on their resumes. Especially selfies…..This is a big sin! There is no place for photo’s or graphics on resumes. The only people who should put photos on a resume are people in the “art” industry such as Models, Actors etc, or where it is requested by the employer.
According to a Behiring survey, there is an 88% rejection rate if you have a photo of yourself on your resume.
There is no excuse for spelling mistakes. Print your resume off and have someone else read it. If there is a red squiggly line under the word, then spell check it. It’s common practice in recruiting to bin resumes with spelling mistakes…..even just one!
Unnecessary Personal Details
I still see lots of older workers putting unnecessary personal details on their resume such as martial status, date of birth, country of birth etc. These are no longer required on a resume and should be deleted.
While we are on this subject, 78% of resumes are ignored if your email address is unprofessional. If this is you, then change it now!
Blocks of Text
When screening resumes, hiring managers scan for keywords, accomplishments, and education. Blocks of text makes this difficult, and increases the chances they will pass over your resume. Bullets allow for easy review.
