Four Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
February 8, 2009

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.

For more resume writing help, download the audio program, Resume Writing: How to Get Your Foot in the Door. You'll learn what recruiters look for in resumes and how to format yours to stand out from the stack.

To your success!
Markell

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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. She helps frustrated job seekers find career direction so they can get the job they want in less time with less stress. Follow her on twitter to get daily job search and career transition tips- http://twitter.com/futuresinmotion

Find more career and job search articles at http://www.futures-in-motion.com/article_archive.php. Contact Markell at http://www.futures-in-motion.com/contact_us.php.

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