Your resume serves as an introduction to potential employers. You probably already know how important it is to update your resume for each job opportunity, carefully tailoring the wording to show how your skills and experience would bring something special to the position. If your resume isn’t landing you any interviews, though, you may have inadvertently done something to scare off prospective employers. Here are some common mistakes.
Relying on Jargon
You want to show off your technical knowledge, and what better way to do that than through word choice, right? Wrong! At best, you may come across as pretentious. At worst, you might confuse the HR person looking at resumes, who may not have specialized knowledge in your specific field. It’s better to write your resume in plain, clear English and include a Skills section to briefly list your technical skills.
Oversharing
In general, resumes should be one page long. If you have a lot of experience in your field, two pages are acceptable. But knowing how to edit and curate are critical resume skills. To bring down the length, eliminate jobs that were more than 10 years ago, as well as those that have nothing to do with the position for which you are applying.
Unexplained Downgrades
There are certainly times when it makes sense to trade in a high-pressure job for something that provides a better work-life balance. But if you went from supervisor to line worker or executive to middle manager, it’s essential to explain why. Mention the situation in your cover letter, and make sure your resume clearly shows a growth arc. Otherwise, Human Resources may assume that you couldn’t handle the higher-level position.
Job Hopping
In the modern world, employers don’t expect workers to stay until retirement. But they do like to see stability. If you have a lot of short-term jobs (under two years) on your resume, use your cover letter to explain why. On your resume, focus on how each job improved your skills and made you a more well-rounded employee.
Typos
Sometimes improving your response rate is as simple as proofreading. Run your resume through spell check and grammar check. Have a friend or relative look over it. It’s easy to miss small things that could be holding you back.
Your resume is your chance to show a prospective employer why you are right for the job. Make sure you don’t accidentally sabotage yourself with any of these common mistakes.
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