If you've been responding to job offers left and right, and you just can't seem to get a callback, chances are there is something wrong with your resume. Sometimes it feels like you were perfect for the offer, yet they have not invited you for an interview. If that's the case, the first thing you should do is check your resume for errors and mistakes.
All it takes is a single mistake for the recruiter to throw your resume into the shredder. While it might sound absurd that something so simple and trivial as a spelling mistake should undermine all of your experience and qualifications, humans are simple-minded creatures - and such errors are glaring.
If you want to improve your chances of landing an interview, you need to make sure your resume is up to par. Checked your resume through and through, yet you still can't find what to improve? Let us help with these 7 common mistakes you should definitely avoid when writing your resume.
Always make sure to grammar-check your resume
Grammatical errors aren't common in resumes, which is exactly why they are so striking to recruiters. Mistyping happens and shouldn't affect who you are or your qualifications - but the sad reality is that it does. When a recruiter sees such an error, they immediately think that you either don't have adequate writing skills or just don't care enough to double-check.
When writing your resumes, always use grammar-checking software. There is a wide variety of apps available for free that can help you, like Grammarly or ProWritingAid.
Never use the same resume twice
It might seem obvious to you, but there are many people who use the same resume no matter the job offer they're applying for. This is simply poor practice. If you're applying for a position as an IT specialist, your employer doesn't need to know you worked at your parent's shop through the Summer in college.
Always try to limit your work experience to what's relevant. The same goes for skills and achievements. Think whether what you're stating actually translates into making you a better candidate for the position you're applying for.
Don't forget to mention all relevant details
Avoid writing simple statements that aren't developed much. Instead of saying you worked as a manager, write that you managed, trained, and supervised a specific number of employees in a specific environment. The more details you include about your work experience, the better.
Of course, you need to make sure those details are even relevant. Don't simply ramble about what you've done, or you'll end up writing a whole essay.
Try to make your writing concise
This is connected to our previous point. Whenever you're writing your resume, you need to give your recruiter as much information about you as an employee while using as few words as possible. Conciseness is the key to making a good resume.
If you're struggling with the writing part, consider getting an expert resume writer to help you. At CVmaker, you can receive a tailor-made resume written and proofread by a professional. You can also receive help in creating your cover letter, as well as your LinkedIn profile, making you appear more professional to recruiters. You can also use the built-in resume creator with tips and guidelines to improve your chances of landing a job.
Be careful what information you put in.
When stating your personal information, only put in what is absolutely necessary. In most countries, it's nowadays frowned upon to state private information, such as your beliefs or nationality.
This information shouldn't matter to your recruiter when deciding whether you fit the position, but it's always better to be sure - prejudice is still, unfortunately, a widespread phenomenon.
Don't use your standard e-mail address.
Remember the times when you thought making your email "[email protected]" was a good idea? Unfortunately, that will not pass in a resume. It's extremely simple and quick to register a new email address, so make sure you always use one that sounds professional.
Using a ridiculous email address is a great way of scaring away your recruiter - never risk it! Make your address a simple one, preferably containing only your first and last names in some kind of variation.
Avoid making your resume too "fancy."
If you think using a cool-looking font and a fancy graphic design for your resume is a good idea, let us be clear - it isn't. You should aim for a minimalistic and unified design with a simple font that matches the layout.
The same goes for vocabulary. Avoid using filler words that simply look "fancy" but mean little, such as "hardworking," "adaptable," or "passionate." Make sure every bit of information you put into your resume has some value and applies to the specific job offer.
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