Common Resume Mistakes To Correct Immediately

Hiring managers receive dozens, sometimes hundreds of résumés for any given opening within a company.

They don’t have the time or resources to review each one as close as you think, so they spend approximately six seconds on the initial fit/no fit decision for the position.

You may be the perfect candidate, but something as simple as a typo, or poorly formatted, or you use the wrong font could be the eliminating factor.

Here are 10 things you need to correct about your resume:

1) Objective – If you applied, it is obvious you want the job. Unless if your situation is unique like changing industries completely, a brief summary may be included.

2) Irrelevant work experience – Only include this experience if it really showcases additional skills that can translate to the position you’re applying for.

3) Personal Information – Don’t include your marital status, religious preference, or social-security number. It is now illegal for employers to request this information.

4) Personal Hobbies – Nobody cares. If it’s not relevant to the job you’re applying for, it’s a waste of space and a waste of the company’s time.

5) Too much text – Using a .5 inch margin and 8 point font in an effort to get everything to fit on one page is an “epic fail,” says J.T. O’Donnell, a career and workplace expert, founder of career-advice site Careerealism.com,

6) References – If your employers want to speak to your references, they’ll ask you. Also, it’s better if you tell your references ahead of time that a future employer might be calling.

7) Email address – It is time to change it if you use email addresses like sexychick@yahoo.com or Monkeyking420@gmail.com, it’s free.

8) Unnecessary words – They know if it is your phone number, or email address, or your residential address. No need to clarify.

9) Industry specific jargon – Companies often have their own internal names for things like customized equipment, technologies, and processes that are only known within that industry and not by those who work outside of it.

10) Short term employment – Avoid including a job on your resume if you only held the position for a very short period of time. You should especially avoid including jobs you were let go from or didn’t like.

These simple tips will help you get through the screening process and put your foot through the door and show the company what you are capable of.