If you conduct a web search for “resume tips”, you will come across thousands of tips, and “resume experts”. You have to be careful of who you get your advice from because there are a lot of sites that claim to have expertise in job searches and resume writing but in all actuality all they do is prowl the internet for content to copy and paste onto their site. The issue with copied information is that these sites do not verify the content that they steal. Often the information is not only inaccurate, but also outdated. We have compiled a list of 3 common mistakes that hiring managers on hundreds of resumes on a daily basis. Some of these mistakes are made by people who haven’t applied to jobs in years and they are unaware of new hiring trends. Others are merely following poor advice from sites who falsely advertise their expertise. Whether you fall into one of the categories above, or you’re just looking for quick tips to fix your resume, these tips are for you. So let’s get to it!
Mistake #1- Your objective is not strong enough, or has nothing to do with the job that you are applying to.
A strong objective boosts your resume when its relevant. On the other hand, a strong objective that has nothing g to do with the job that you are applying to does more harm than good. For example, if you are applying to be a teacher, an objective that states that you are seeking to hone and apply your Human Resources skills makes you look like the wrong candidate for the job. I could provide you with a million tips to help you create a great objective, but I find that your resume does not need an objective, especially if you are also going to include a cover letter. It’s safe to say that it’s okay to remove your objective altogether. Instead, focus on showing a correlation between your previous employment and the job that you are app,using to by creating relevant descriptions of your previous roles.
Mistake #2- You are using too many bullet points
When describing previous employment, your resume does not need to reflect every single task that you completed during your previous (or current) employment. You should highlight 4 to 5 duties that closely relate to the job that you are applying to. If all of your previous/current job duties relate to the positions that you are applying for, the same rule applies, choose 4 or 5 of your duties to list on your resume. Anything that is not listed on the resume can either be reflected on your cover letter, or discussed during your job interview.
Mistake #3- You are not using the correct format when providing references.
First and foremost, you do not need to state on your resume that references are available upon request. If an employer needs your references then they will ask you for them. Second, unless the job description states otherwise, requests for references are only made for candidates who may or have already received a job offer. It is premature to offer references before an interview offer is made. Lastly, in the event that you are required to submit references with your initial application you must ensure that your format is correct. To sum it all up, if you are not asked to include references then you should remove this section from your resume.
Aside from spelling and grammatical errors, poorly formatted resumes will win your resume a trip into the “do not hire” pile. The key to perfecting. Your resume is to review, review, and review it again to prevent the slightest errors from costing you a great opportunity.
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