Your resume is the focus of your job search. It serves as your ambassador to a potential new employer and provides them their first impression of your abilities. Unfortunately, many people make common mistakes that can cost them the job of a lifetime. Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid in preparing your resume.

1. Pointing out your own weaknesses.

Statements like “My work ethic makes up for my lack of experience” will inspire a potential employer to move on to the next applicant. If you do lack experience, or have some other weakness, this should be downplayed as much as possible while emphasizing your positive qualities.

2. Using the word “I.”

Many job-hunters seek to personalize their resume by using “I” and “me.” This strategy makes a resume look unprofessional. Instead, start each description with a verb: “Prepared financial documents for use by company president.” Beginning each phrase with a solid, action-packed verb will help your resume will appear professional and polished.

3. Including too much work history.

Unless you are a very young with little work experience, you should not include jobs you held as a teenager, or any of your high school activities. Hiring managers want to see work experience that is related to the job for which you’re applying. Additionally, including more than ten years of your work history can reveal your age and might lead to age discrimination.

4. Not including enough details about important job experiences.

Your resume is an opportunity to educate a hiring manager about the duties you performed at your last place of employment. Jobs like “Office Manager” can mean many things, so list as many of your responsibilities as you can, especially the skills that are pertinent to the job you are seeking.

5. Not including impressive one-time achievements.

Hiring managers are looking for results-oriented employees who will achieve great things. Don’t hide your past accomplishments! You may have saved your last employer money on a business deal, or received an employee award. Whatever it was, the potential new employer should know about it.

6. Including your hobbies.

There is no reason to tell a potential employer what you do for fun. This information is useless to a potential employer and makes you seem unprofessional. Instead, fill your resume with information pertinent to the job you want.

7. Spelling errors, typos and formatting problems.

If a hiring manager notices a spelling or typographical error in your resume, they will assume that you are careless. Proofread your resume at least twice, and ask a friend with excellent spelling and punctuation skills to review it also. Print it out and eyeball it for formatting problems such as moving margins, changing fonts or shifting font sizes. Don’t send the resume out until it’s perfect.

Hiring managers can receive dozens of resumes for a single position. It’s essential that your resume makes you look as professional as possible. By avoiding these resume mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to creating a resume masterpiece.



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For some excellent examples of well-written resumes, check out Resumes That Get Jobs on Amazon.com.