8 #ResumeFails You Need to Fix
Friday, December 19, 2014
Then when I look at the resume, I think, “Oh why didn’t you come find help sooner!”
Check which ones apply to you, and then start taking corrective action.
1. Your resume has an objective statement.
Nothing screams “I’m reading a resume guide from 1966” more than this. There are very few occasions when you need objective statements. You should be using a professional introduction instead.
2. Your education is listed at the very top, and you majored in a field that has nothing to do with the job you are looking for.
If you’re a recent grad, remember that people in colleges place a high value on framing up how educated they are. As a result, many career centers will teach you to put your education at the top. And that’s fine if the degree is a deal breaker on getting interview.
However, that top one-third of your resume is valuable real estate and critical for engaging the reader. Remember that most resumes are being read online, often on mobile devices. So for the top one-third, don’t use it for education if it’s not essential for the job.
3. You don’t have a LinkedIn vanity URL in your contact information.
Two things: You MUST have a LinkedIn profile in a job search, and you MUST include the URL for that profile on all of your job search material. Think of it as your own personal web site.
4. Your experience is listed as a bunch of tasks, rather than accomplishments and results.
This is a pet peeve of recruiters and hiring managers. It’s hard to see what you have the capacity to accomplish if you simply list a bunch of tasks about what you’ve done. To set yourself apart, create quantitative accomplishment statements that talk about the impact you had on the organization.
5. You have no numbers or quantification of any kind on your resume.
Organizations run on the language of numbers. No matter if it’s a big global conglomerate or a local nonprofit. The more you are able to speak in terms of numbers, the more competitive you will be – both in your job search, and in your career.
6. There isn’t a single bullet point on your resume.
Lots of dense paragraphical text is easy and fun to read. Not. Remember most people don’t read on line (which is how your resume is likely to be read), they skim. Bullets and white space are made for skimmers. Use them!
7. You have included the sentence: References available upon request.
This is a deal breaker.
If you have this sentence on your resume, please find a professional resume writer TODAY. You can’t swing a dead cat without knowing this is a waste of ink. Worse, it makes you appear dated and out of step with the modern world.
Bonus points: You’ve listed references ON your resume. Okay, you should just not be sending that resume to any one.
8. You have typos because, well, you’re not really detail oriented and aren’t sure how to use spell check.
Nothing screams “I’m not detail oriented and don’t know how to check my work” more than typos on a resume. This will make it easy for most employers to throw you in the discard pile.
Since one of the main functions of a resume is to discard unqualified candidates, it’s an easy call on the reviewer’s part.
Whether you’re a new grad or an experienced job seeker, if any of the above criteria apply to you, take pause. Consider getting professional help on your resume. At the very least, start reading some career blogs and step up your resume game!
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