Common Résumé Mistakes You MUST Avoid
Typographical errors
I can’t tell you how many times over the course of my professional career I have come across résumés with typographical errors. This is perhaps the single most critical mistake that will surely prevent you from getting the interview. There are others, which I will also cover, but the typo – definitely the most egregious. Typos are a red flag indicating lack of detail, and even worse – an inability to carefully proofread.
Colloquialisms
Another common résumé error is presenting information as if you are speaking to a friend on the phone. For example, “I increased revenues for the company by 50%.” This is a business document folks and not the place for proper pronouns. Try “Successfully increased revenues by 50% by developing a new paper product.” Here at least you have the increase (without the pronoun) and a bit about how you did it.
Interests should be interesting
Avoid excessive or inappropriate references to hobbies and interests. While sometimes a very impressive hobby or interest (such as climbing Mount Everest) might whet the appetite of a hiring manager, an employer will find out about you in due course. I saw one résumé that listed hobbies as: Baseball! Baseball! Baseball! Umm, I get the point. Thanks for sharing your love of the game with me. Where will I find you on your lunch hour? Will it be taking care of a last minute request or glued to the tube at ESPN Zone over beer and cheese fries?
Unprofessional e-mail addresses
Inappropriate email addresses is something that bears referencing. For example: Ilovekumkuats@genericmail.com is not an appropriate address for a professional document. Glad to know that is a fruit of choice, but not great when you are trying to put your best foot forward to gain an interview in what is increasingly becoming a tighter and tighter job market.
Inconsistent formatting
Formatting is another area where you should be careful. Make sure that spacing, alignment, tabs, bold, italics, and underline – you get the point, are consistent. If you simply slap the résumé together with no attention to these things your résumé will look like a messy room where you cannot see the floor. This will certainly earn you a position – in the circular file.
These are just a few – keep reading for more faux pas in future posts.
Comments and feedback are requested and desired; and you are welcome and encouraged to submit questions to thecareerdoctor.
Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is the founder and Chief Career Strategist of ResumesDoneWrite, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career roadmaps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries.
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