When you search for advice about writing resumes, there is more information out there than you can reasonably absorb. There are tons of “experts” out there with the perfect formula or the perfect solution to a winning resume. One thing to be on the lookout for is the date when the advice was written. There were different rules “back in the day” than there are now. There are career experts that simply don’t keep up with current trends in hiring so the advice they give is outdated and just plain irrelevant to getting a job in these technologically centered times. More than ever, your resume has to jump through many hoops before it even gets to a real human.
It’s very likely that you’ve probably seen these mistakes highlighted elsewhere. We thought it was important to share what our experiences have been because we do keep up with current hiring trends, tools and practices. Given that background, these are the top 10 common mistakes to avoid when writing your resume and when applying to jobs.
1) Writing your full address at the top.
If you didn’t know, there is something called geographical bias, which means you would be passed up solely based on where you live. Using your full address on your resume is such an outdated practice, unless you are going for federal employment. There are a totally different set of rules for federal resumes as opposed to other organizational practices in the corporate or non-profit arena, for example. So if you are not applying for a federal job, keep your mailing address OFF your resume going forward (that is unless the rules change).
2) Forgetting to include your Linkedin link.
You do have a Linkedin profile, right? Often when we ask that question, we immediately get the “deer in the headlights” look from our clients. Either it means the client doesn’t have a profile or hasn’t touched it since it was created. If you are in a major city or are seeking a position in a major city, Linkedin is more than likely the number source used for recruitment. More than 68% of recruiters use Linkedin.
3) No Resume Title/Header.
It’s important to make sure that you have a title or a header on your resume. The title quickly tells the person reviewing your resume what position you are most experienced for. In some cases, we encourage using a header for the position you are seeking. Either way, the header/title adds pertinent keywords to your resume that match the job description or job title you are applying for. The title demonstrates the ideal position you can be hired for or the position you feel your skills and experience are best suited for. This is a good way to help recruiters save time and to quickly draw attention to what you have to offer.
4) No Summary.
A summary takes the place of the infamous “objective” statement that used to be crucial for resumes of the past. If you are still using an objective statement, please remove it. The precious real estate on your resume should best be reserved for items that truly highlight your skills, expertise, core competencies and results. Make sure you offer recruiters a quick summary of what those are at the top of the resume. This determines whether or not they want to read further. This is a very important area on your resume, so makes sure you create a compelling summary at the top of the resume.
5) Not Including Accomplishments.
The resume is not what gets you the job. It gets you the interview. You get an interview because you have not only the credentials and experience, but also because you’ve demonstrated that you have demonstrated results for your contributions to an organization’s bottom line, productivity and/or reputation as a leader in the their chosen industry. To see the next 5 common mistakes, click here.
Need a second opinion about how your resume reads from an employer’s perspective? Click here to send your resume for a free resume review (feedback by email).
