5 Resume Mistakes to Correct ASAP

Your resume and cover letter are your first impression to an employer and are likely to make or break your chance at an interview offer. Take some time to review and refresh your resume by reading these 5 common resume mistakes and ensure that your resume will get the attention it deserves.

Let’s take a look at your resume altogether and make sure it’s polished before you start submitting it with your job applications. Here’s a list of five mistakes you should be looking for as you proofread and update your resume.

Incorrect or Unnecessary Contact Information

Contact information is constantly changing and employers will not be able to reach you if your information is incorrect. Before submitting your resume to job applications check that all contact information is correct.

What contact information should you include? Although the contact information is the most important section of your resume, it should be kept simple.

• Do include your full name, phone number, email address and location.
• Do not include headshots, references, date of birth (unless specifically required), or personal details such as marital status, nationality, or spiritual beliefs.

Improper Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

Don’t let a spelling mistake be the obstacle between you and your dream job. Even if your intended job does not require proficiency in writing, making sure grammar and spelling is correct demonstrates two essential skills to any job: communication and attention to detail. Use dictionaries, thesauruses, and/or online grammar resources to check for errors.

Examples of common errors:

• Homophone mistakes: mixing up “their” and “there,” “your” and “you’re”, etc.
• Improper capitalization: brush up on capitalization rules. Resumes include many job titles and company names that make capitalization more notable than just the first word in a sentence.
• Run-on sentences: do not make the mistake of adding lists of tasks and responsibilities that do not read coherently. Split up your lists of accomplishments and employment history into smaller, more concise sentences.

>> Learn Ways to Stay Current by Reading “Keeping Your Skills Sharp”

Using the Exact Same Resume for Multiple Job Applications

Adjusting your resume for each job application is time-consuming and monotonous, but it is necessary. You will need to customize your resume based on the specific job’s skillset/knowledge requirements as a start, but you can take this a step further by using keywords and phrases from the job description itself in your resume where it applies. Research each company you are applying for to gain more insight and adjust your resume before you apply.

Writing Too Much Text

Condensing your life’s work to a one-page summary is challenging, but writing too much irrelevant information will make your resume distracting. The “less is more” principle applies to resumes. Each word on your resume should be purposeful. Write short, concise sentences starting with action verbs and include numbers, or percentages, where possible. Include enough white space (the sections of your resume that remain empty), to draw the recruiter’s eye to the text.

Forgetting to Highlight Soft Skills

It can be easy to forget the importance of soft skills amongst the list of technical skills required for a job. Including soft skills adds a level of humanity and personality to your resume. To highlight your soft skills, demonstrate them throughout your resume. For example, instead of listing “leadership” and “communication” on your resume, include them by writing “Led daily meetings for a team of X coworkers to achieve business goals.”

>> Learn More About Soft Skills by Reading “What Recruiters are Looking for: Soft Skills”

We hope these pointers have helped you. If you want a second opinion, contact a recruiter at TriMech Services for feedback and increase the caliber of your resume!

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