At Michael Words, our job is to help people find a foothold online and reach a wider audience. For this purpose, we often post online ads for content writers and SEO specialists and receive thousands of resumes from all around the world. Since we offer remote work, we’re open to working with people from around the globe.
A lot of people we talk to are educated, skilled, and experienced, yet they struggle to make a mark due to one reason – a poorly drafted resume. Before you can nail that interview, you’ll have to impress recruiters with a killing resume.
Remember that 20 percent of recruiters make a call before they’ve even finished going through a resume. The average manager spends 3.14 minutes reading a resume and they make up their mind within the first minute. You will only get one chance to make an impression and you must not waste it.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the most common resume mistakes people commit when applying for a job:
Make It Too Long
Don’t get confused, there’s a difference between a CV and a resume. A CV can be lengthy but a resume only consists of one page and is customized to each individual job you’re applying to.
Concentrate on providing relevant material and do not waste time designing snazzy borders, adding clipart images, emojis, or unique fonts. About 40 percent of recruiters reject resumes that appear too artsy.
Avoid using cringeworthy quotes. Be original and don’t count on cliches like ‘I am a hard working candidate’. Everyone is hard working. You have to show your unique set of skills in your resume.
They LIE
Recruiters are not stupid. They can identify liars and most run background checks and get in touch with previous recruiters to verify claims.
According to reports, about 5 percent of applicants are not honest when describing their responsibilities and roles in their previous job. Similarly, about 10 percent exaggerate the time spent in previous jobs and some even lie about courses and volunteering experiences.
Lying in your resume might cause you to get a call but you’ll find it very difficult to get a job with dishonesty.
Forget to Proofread and Edit the Resume
As odd as it may sound, it is common for resumes to contain grammar errors. In fact, about 59 percent of resumes get rejected due to typos and grammar issues. At Michael Words, we don’t like typos. After all, we’re a content marketing firm.
Companies do not want to work with people who are not careful or attentive. Typos give a very wrong impression. They make the other person feel that you’re not serious about your work and may make a lot of mistakes if you’re hired. So, make sure to always proofread your work or hire a professional to do the job.
Also, spelling should be consistent. For example, if you’re applying for a job in Canada then avoid using American English.
Providing Unnecessary Information
Do not add irrelevant or unnecessary information such as your marital status or photograph, unless asked for. This is a common resume mistake that can cause you to get rejected.
Most jobs are gender neutral and companies are working hard to remove gender bias, age bias, location bias, etc. This is why it is not necessary to add personal information such as your gender, number of kids, etc.
Doing so doesn’t only take up space but also gives a sense of unprofessionalism. You should, however, provide contact details including your full name, email address, mailing address, and phone number.
Do Not Customize the Resume
Don’t post the same resume to every job. Customize your achievements, work history, and education based on the job you’re applying for.
Someone looking for a journalist would be more interested in what you have done in the field and now how you once volunteered at a news agency.
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid: Conclusion
These are some of the most common resume mistakes to avoid when applying for a job. Interested in writing? Get in touch with us.
