In today’s competitive job market, your resume has to stand out among dozens, if not hundreds, of other resumes. Something as simple as a typo can land your resume in the rejection pile. Avoid common resume pitfalls to ensure that you present yourself professionally and positively when applying for a job.
Vagueness
A resume that lacks concrete details about your experience and job history is not going to land you an interview. Avoid vague references to your experience; instead, offer specifics about what you have achieved in your career. For example, rather than just saying that you managed a budget, include a specific dollar amount for the budget. If you increased sales at your last position, identify the percentage or dollar increase in sales. These details better illustrate your skills and record of success.
Grammatical Errors
Your resume is the first impression a potential employer has of you, so you must submit a professional, error-free document. Grammatical errors and typos can make you seem sloppy and careless with your work. Check for common grammar errors such as subject-verb agreement and misplaced or missing commas. Run a spell check on the document, but understand that spell check does not catch everything. Finally, double-check proper names, such as past employers, and make sure they are properly spelled and capitalized.
No Connection to Job
Your resume needs to do more than provide a synopsis of your educational background and professional experience. It also needs to tell the employer why you are the right person for the job. Many resume writers fail to connect their resume to the job for which they are applying. Read the job description and look for keywords that relate to the position. Incorporate those keywords into your resume. If you have experience that relates to one of the job requirements, include a similarly phrased entry on your resume. Do the work for your potential employer by illustrating your qualifications in your resume.
Inaccurate Information
Inaccurate information can give the wrong impression in your resume. If you provide inaccurate information about your academic or professional history, it might inadvertently look like you’re trying to hide something. For example, if you list the wrong dates of employment for a previous job, your potential employer might get suspicious when he or she calls for a reference check, and the dates do not add up. Go over your resume carefully to ensure that everything you list is factually correct.