Blog Post: Four Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Question: Do you know the four most common resume mistakes job seekers make?

Hint: It’s not how it looks as much as what your resume says about your qualifications.

In the job search your resume is often the first encounter a recruiter will have with you. While the resume is most often used in the job search, you may also use it in a number of different circumstances throughout your career: informational interviewing, board membership, and annual performance reviews.

As an important marketing tool, your resume should reflect demonstrated competencies and accomplishments, in addition to, your relevant experience, education and knowledge. In writing your resume, there are four common resume mistakes that are avoidable such as having an unclear objective, typos and grammar errors, lack of relevance, and a focus on tasks rather than accomplishments.

Unclear Objective: When recruiters receive a resume, the first thing they look for is a clear objective. If your objective isn’t there or isn’t clear, they won’t know what to do with your resume. This can be especially problematic if it’s not obvious from your work history that the position you applied for is the logical next career step. Your objective should be clear and succinct such as, “Marketing Director” or “Human Resources Analyst.” If you are still exploring career options and don’t want to eliminate job opportunities, it is advisable to create several versions of your resume, each with a clear objective.

Typos and Grammar Errors: These are also avoidable resume mistakes. Before you submit your resume, have a few people look it over to make sure the content can be understood, and that no typos have been overlooked. While mistakes happen, attention to detail is an attribute required of most employees, you don’t want to diminish your chances for employment due to such errors.

Lack of Relevance: A third avoidable resume mistake is taking a one-size fits all approach which will work against you in the job search. You have to illustrate that you are a professional in the field of your choice. You do that by using relevant industry and functional keywords, highlighting accomplishments that are most recognizable in your industry, and selecting a format that is common to your field.

Tasks vs. Accomplishments: Finally, a focus on listing tasks rather than accomplishments and results is another common resume mistake. Recruiters like to get a sense of the contributions you’ve made in previous jobs. Your previous roles are important to know, but recruiters are evaluating whether you are going to be effective in your new role. The best way for them to evaluate your potential is by looking at your track record of relevant accomplishments and results.

Register for my upcoming free teleclass, Resume Writing: How To Get Your Foot In The Door to learn how you can create a resume that gets better results.

Request your free copy of my SPECIAL REPORT: 6 Tips For Discovering The Work You Love By Working With A Career Counselor to learn how you can get focused in your job search.

To your success!
Markell

Markell Steele is a Career Counselor, owner of Futures in Motion, Inc. and author of Fast Track Your Career: Three Steps for Finding Work You Love. For the past 13 years, she has helped frustrated job seekers find career direction so they can connect with the job they want in less time with less stress. Visit the Futures in Motion, Inc. website to read more career and job search articles, http://futures-in-motion.com/article_archive.php.