34 Resume Mistakes That Can Prove Deadly

34 Resume Mistakes That Can Prove Deadly

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

I worked as a recruiter for a long time. I filled a lot of full-time positions and consulting assignments before transitioning to coaching. 

I’ve recorded a lot of videos (over 7000) and podcast episodes (over 2600) about a lot of subjects however one that is near and dear to my heart is resume writing. 

Most resumes are boring flat documents that are awful to read. I’ve read more than 750000  we were able to quantify before we stopped counting. 

Stupid Resume Mistakes: Your Resume Interferes with the ATS

Here are a few of the mistakes that people make too often that prove deadly to their candidacy. Often, it isn’t just one that gets them turned down. It is multiples.

1. Using an unprofessional email address like partygirl@email.comor baseballfan123@email.com. Your email should contain your name if possible.
2. Including irrelevant certifications and work experience that doesn’t relate to the job you’re applying for. Tailor your resume to each specific role.
3. Listing basic computer skills like using Microsoft Office. This is assumed in today’s workforce.
4. If you are going to use an objective or summary in your resume, not customizing your resume objective/summary for each job. Make sure it speaks directly to the role you’re targeting.
5. Listing every job and job responsibility. Only highlight 4-6 of the most current.
6. Leaving gaps in your work history unexplained. Explain what you did during those periods (e.g., freelance work, volunteering, coursework). Recruiters will wonder what you were doing during that time.
7. Squeezing too much information onto one page. Use two pages if needed to keep ample white space and make your resume readable.
8. Using walls of text. Make your resume easy to skim quickly. You can bullet points, headings, etc. but you also have to be aware when you are using too many
9. Using tiny margins to fit more on each page. Stick to 1 inch margins.
10. Using different font sizes and formats inconsistently. Stick to one or two fonts in a similar size. Stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
11. Not quantifying your accomplishments with numbers and metrics.
12. Stretching the truth, exaggerating or even lying about job responsibilities or education. Don’t.
13. Not proofreading for spelling and grammar errors. Have multiple people review it. Read your resume from end to beginning.
14. Saving your resume with a generic name like “resume.pdf”. Use your name like “FirstName_LastName_Resume”. Do not use version numbers
15. Using pronouns like “I” or “me” throughout your resume. You can use the third person but I prefer mixing both
16. Including references or stating “references available upon request.” This is assumed.
17. Not tailoring your resume, bullet points or headers to contain keywords from the job description.
18. Listing extraneous high school information when you have a college degree and work experience.
19. Stating obvious abilities like “Good communication skills” or “good oral and written communications skills. Show don’t tell here.
20. Repetitively using terms like “Responsible for” or “Duties included.” Lead with strong action verbs.
21. Focusing too much on responsibilities and not accomplishments. What value did you add in each role?
22. Listing every technology, app, or software you’ve ever used. Focus on relevant ones.
23. Overloading your resume with information: Focus on relevant and concise details that highlight your accomplishments and skills that relate to this job and minimize the rest
24. Ignoring keywords: Neglecting to incorporate important keywords from the job description can cause your resume to be overlooked by applicant tracking systems (ATS). You may think they know or the system will know a similar term. Use theirs.
25. Including irrelevant personal information: Unless it directly relates to the job, avoid including personal details except for unusual hobbies.
26. Leaving out volunteer work and internships: Including relevant volunteer work or internships can demonstrate your commitment, skills, and ability to adapt in various environments. They can also help cover for gaps in your background and illustrate your desire to change careers to your new field.
27. Neglecting online presence: In today’s digital age, it’s crucial to include links to your professional online profiles, such as LinkedIn, GitHub, or personal websites.
28. Failing to proofread carefully: While spell-checking is essential, also review your resume for grammar errors, typos, and inconsistencies that might be missed by automated tools.
29. Not showcasing leadership skills and experience: In addition to technical qualifications, employers value candidates with leadership experience and skills. Highlight these skills throughout your resume.
30. Neglecting industry-specific language: If you’re applying for a role within a specific industry, using appropriate terminology can demonstrate your familiarity with the field.
31. Including unrelated hobbies or interests: Unless they directly relate to the job or demonstrate transferable skills, leave out hobbies and interests that are not relevant.
32. Using a resume template. Templates may be difficult for some systems to parse data from. Copy the formatting of a template you like. Don’t use the actual template.
33. Omitting contact information: Make sure your name, city, state, zip code, and email address are provided. Too often, people leave off their zip code and that makes you unlocatable when someone searches their system for people when a new position opens.
34. Ignoring the importance of design: A visually appealing and well-structured resume can make a significant difference in capturing the attention of hiring managers. Invest time in creating an aesthetically pleasing lay

 

By being mindful of these mistakes, you can ensure that your resume doesn;t stand out from the competition for all the wrong reasons.

Remember, a well-crafted resume can greatly enhance your chances of landing the job you want.

Stupid Resume Mistakes: Showing Markups

ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER

People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. 

Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us

He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2600 episodes.

Website: https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us (schedule a paid coaching session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services)

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Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques

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