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March 30, 2011

Mistakes in Resumes


Believe it or not, your resume has only a few seconds to gain the employer's attention. Today, most employers are flooded with resumes from eager job seekers. Therefore, to stand out from the crowd, your resume should be free of the common errors. Here is top 10 worst pitfalls to avoid while writing a resume.


1. Too many personal details
Except from your full name, contact information, including email, phone number and address, you should avoid giving further personal detail in your resume. Information about your family must be kept aside. It's you who is applying for a job position; you are what matters, not the history of your family.

2. Unrelated information
Mention such facts that lend credibility to you as a job applicant. You should avoid stating information in your resume that has nothing to do with the job you are applying for. Very often job seekers make this mistake while telling about their hobbies or accomplishments. If you are applying for a software developer position, what sense it would make if you state that you were an sports champion champion as one of your accomplishments? Think about it.
3. Highlight on duties, instead of accomplishments is a mistake
Resumes should primarily have high-impact statements about the job seeker's accomplishments that would sell his qualifications and present him as the best candidate. You must shun phrases like "responsibilities included" or "duties included" and focus on accomplishments that set you apart from other job candidates.

4. A loose objective
The very first thing in your resume that your potential employers would surely look at is the objective statement. So avoid making vague statements like "Seeking a challenging position that offers professional growth". The employers come across such lines probably hundred times a day. Try to say something specific that would serve the employers' need as well as your own.
5. Using cookie-cutter resume templates
Most resumes created from a Microsoft Word template are easily recognizable to employers. Since the employers have seen a million of them, such drab looking resumes don't stand out. You're supposed to be uniquely qualified so the company will choose you among other candidates. Therefore use a little imagination while writing your resume. It'll surely help you a lot.

6. Listing references directly on the resume
References are a good tool to increase your credibility in the eyes of your prospective employer. But you shouldn't list specific references directly on your resume. Even then, references should be given if specifically requested by the employer.
7. Including salary expectations
Never include salary related points in the resume. It will distract the reader's attention and you may lose the chance to face the interview. It's better to keep it out of your resume, unless the employer asks for it. If you get a job requirement from a job portal, placement agency or direct recruiter, they may specifically ask your current salary and expected salary. In this case, it is recommended to include the details asked above in the cover letter.

8. If you were fired from a job...
Your resume should highlight your positive aspects and each and every facet that makes you the most deserving candidate. Stating that you were fired from your earlier job for poor performance or any other fault will not help you getting the job in any way. Yes, if you are asked to explain why you left a job, you need to be truthful.
9. Poorly organized
While writing your resume, you should maintain a proper order of importance. Don't mention about your hobbies at the starting. Moreover, job titles are more important than dates of employment. It's better to put the educational details at the end. If you are a fresh graduate, then only you should highlight it. More significance should be given to those information that meet the need of the employers.

10. Typos and Grammatical Errors
It may sound insignificant, but a small spelling mistake or grammatical error can cost you the job you are applying for. Your resume needs to be grammatically perfect otherwise it will create an impression of a careless person in the minds of the employers.

4 comments:

  1. I M MBA FINCANCE FRESHER CAN YOU PLEASE HELP FOR MAKING MY RESUME BETTER.. BY UPLOADING SAMPLE RESUME

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Deepa,
      I am not an expert at resume making and just a common man like you. This post was to guide you only.I believe its the person which matters most than resume. However if you still want me to have a look at your resume please mail it to ankit221215@yahoo.com and i will revert back.

      Delete
  2. hey

    I WANT YOUR HELP FOR mAKING mY RESUmE BETTER CAN U PLEASE UPLOAD A NICE SAmPLE RESUmE FOR mBA FINANCE FRESHER

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry would not be possible for me to upload a sample resume. Please search it on google :)

      Delete