4 most common resume mistakes

Posted on Monday, January 16th, 2017

A strong, well-written resume is the most important part of any job application, and every effort should be given to ensure that it is as flawless as possible. Most resume mistakes are easily fixed, and making sure that none of these errors show up on your resume will give you the best possible chance of getting an interview.

Here are the four most common mistakes that human resources departments see on resumes:

Typos

At this point, is there really any excuse for there to be typos or grammatical errors anywhere in a resume? Unless you’re writing on a typewriter, whatever program you’re using will have a spell checker, which you should be taking advantage of. As well, you should always also get someone else to proof-read your resume when you’re finished, as there are certain grammatical and spelling incidences that a spell-checker will miss (i.e. their/there/they’re), and that you might have overlooked.

Formatting errors

While it is important to ensure that you try stand out from the crowd when applying for a job, going overboard on the design and formatting of your resume (unless the job is design-specific) will end up hurting you more than helping. Your resume should be simple, well organized and consistent. To do this, just ensure that the font is easy to read, that you leave an appropriate amount of white space, and that the paragraph and bullet style are all the same.

Not custom-tailoring your resume

Your resume should be custom-tailored to the job that you are applying for, and organizations expect that your resume will show exactly why you would be the perfect candidate for that specific position. The resume you used in high-school to look for a part-time summer job should not be the same resume that you are using now to look for a professional position.

Including incorrect information

Everyone would like to have an edge when they are applying for a new position, but including incorrect information on your resume will not help you in the long-run. If you include that you are proficient in a certain program or skill on your resume, you better be ready to answer any and all questions the interviewer might have about the program and your past experience using it. As well, if you lie on your resume about past credentials or certifications that you have and are hired for a position, you could be at risk of losing your job or even facing legal consequences if you are found out.

While these mistakes may seem pretty basic, rest assured they are still very commonplace. Having these issues on a resume make it easy for a hiring manager to dismiss a candidate, regardless of their prior job experience or suitability for a job. Always ensure that you edit your resume, and have someone else look it over as well, before applying for any position.


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