Common Mistakes That Will Kill Your Resume
A resume is your first and sometimes only chance to impress an interviewer or recruiter. Errors are easy to make but they’re difficult to overcome. Here are some of the most common mistakes we see at Aughdem Recruitment.
Typos, Misspellings or Grammatical Errors
“Thanks Maz, tell me something I don’t know”. You would honestly be surprised. Typos, misspellings and grammatical errors are wildly common even amongst senior candidates. While some mistakes might slide, others will be noted. “Your” vs. “You’re” is the most common mistake that comes to mind. When writing your resume, it’s important that you review it several times out loud and slowly. Better yet, get a friend or family member to look over it. When you’ve been staring at a screen for several hours it’s easy to miss simple errors.
Poor Formatting
It’s the 21st century folks. A resume that’s clunky and hard to read just won’t cut it. Microsoft Word and Pages (if you’re working with a Mac computer) come pre-installed with resume templates. There are literally no excuses. Input your information into the respective fields and presto! A nice clean resume. Avoid cartoony fonts and vibrant colours. Make headlines clear and use bullet points when necessary.
Focusing on Responsibilities Instead of Achievements
With interviewers receiving so many resumes for each position, you need to make your resume pop. One way to do that is to focus on the achievements you’ve made in previous positions rather than a boring list of responsibilities. As a chef, instead of writing “created lunch menu”, why not describe how you researched seasonal options, sought out local suppliers and created a menu that saw lunch bookings rise by 60 percent? Responsibilities lack context. Achievements show what you can do.
Using Cliché Corporate Words
I’ll let you in on a little secret: every time you mention the word synergy, a recruiter cringes. No one likes meaningless corporate clichés. Yes, corporate clichés are a part of the job, but they don’t need to be a part of your resume. Avoid it when possible!
Length
The length of your resume should be one to two pages max, regardless of seniority. That’s a single page in size eleven font, including all the necessary information and seven to ten years of relevant experience if you have it. Interviewers and recruiters do not want to read a three-page resume. If your resume is three pages long, your chances are most likely doomed.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know what you think.
Maz Artang is the founder of Aughdem Recruitment. When he’s not helping people find the perfect career opportunity, you’ll find him travelling the globe or catching the latest flick. He can be reached via email at martang@aughdem.com.