How to Avoid Common Resume Mistakes

Making your resumé stand out in a crowd can mean the difference between getting an interview and getting a “thanks, but no thanks” email. This document is your first impression, so it’s important to put your best foot forward in both content and layout. By avoiding a few common mistakes, you can highlight your skills and qualifications as you apply for your next career move.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Content

1. Include keywords that are relevant to that specific job. A lot of companies use computer programs to scan your resumé and check it for information. If you see any words in the job description that seem super important (check the qualifications section for some good ones), be sure to sprinkle them throughout your resumé.^[1]
   
   • For example, a job may want you to have “time management skills,” “attention to detail,” or “be a team player.” You can add those into your “skills” section or put them into a job description.
   • Sending out the same resumé to every employer is too generic, so you’ll need to personalize it for each job you apply to.
2. Don’t use first-person pronouns. This includes “I,” “me,” “myself,” and “mine.” Instead, avoid pronouns all together. The hiring manager will understand that all of the information is about you.^[2]
   
   • For example, instead of saying, “At my job as a retail manager, I was in charge of 12 other employees.” Try saying, “Retail Manager: Scheduled employee shifts, ordered stock, and assisted in customer service.”
3. Stay away from buzz words or confusing jargon. Phrases like “synergy,” “think outside the box,” and “people pleaser” might sound good, but they don’t actually mean anything. Try to fill your resumé with real content that describes you instead.^[3]
   
   • You should also stay away from acronyms unless they’re especially common in your field of work. If the hiring manager is confused when reading your resumé, you aren’t likely to get a call back.
4. Stick to the facts, and don’t embellish your own skills. It can be tempting to make yourself sound a little bit more experienced or qualified than you actually are. However, this can hurt you in the long run, and it could lead to an awkward interview experience.^[4]
   
   • You should always be prepared to answer questions about the information on your resumé. If you can’t, don’t put it in!
5. Don’t include information about your personal life. This may have been okay for resumés in the past, but nowadays it isn’t very common. Unless your hobbies match up well with the job description, don’t worry about telling your potential employer what you do in your free time.^[5]
   
   • Plus, it can actually be illegal for your employer to ask things about you, like your age or your religion. When in doubt, leave it out.
6. Proofread before you send it in. Grammar and spelling errors are a surefire way to get your resumé thrown out. Before you hit “submit,” give your resumé a final once over to check it for errors.^[6]
   
   • It might be helpful to have a friend or family member look it over once, too. A fresh pair of eyes can catch things you might have missed.
   • Make sure you spell the company name right, too!

[Edit]Layout

1. Stick to 2 pages at most. You may have heard a “rule” about fitting your resumé all into 1 page, but that’s not necessarily the case. Try to fit all of your information on one page, but use a second one if you need to. If your resumé goes beyond 2 pages, it’s time to take some information out.^[7]
   
   • Most hiring managers spend less than 20 seconds looking over your resumé. If they can’t skim over it in that amount of time, they may not read it at all.
2. Leave white space in the margins of your resumé. It can be tempting to use up the entire page and get as much information down as possible. However, that can feel overwhelming, and it isn’t very helpful. Make sure your document looks easy to read and can be skimmed for information.^[8]
   
   • In general, a margin on both sides is perfect.
3. Pick a size 10 font so it isn’t hard to read. Small letters are irritating to read, and the hiring manager might not take the time to. Stick to a size 10 or 12 font so your potential employer doesn’t have to squint when reading about you.^[9]
   
   • Even if you have a lot of information to fit, a small font isn’t the way to go.
4. Use plain, easy-to-read fonts. Calibri and Times New Roman are both basic and look professional. Stay away from fancy cursive fonts that could be hard to read.^[10]
   
5. Don’t include a logo or a photograph. Unless you’re a graphic designer, a logo or a picture will only take up space. Your interviewer doesn’t need to know what you look like when you apply for the job.^[11]
   
   • If you’re an actor, including a headshot is common practice, but it’s separate from the resumé itself.
6. Save your resumé as a PDF. If an employer can’t open your document, they won’t be able to read it. Not every computer has the same document system, so saving your resumé in the wrong format can dash your professional dreams. Try to save your document as a PDF and upload it that way to preserve the look and layout of your information.^[12]
   
   • You can name the resumé something like “FirstNameLastNameResume.PDF”

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Personalize your resumé for every job you apply for.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Write a Self Evaluation
• Write a Cover Letter
• Make a Resume
• Ask for a Reference from an Employer
• Get a Job

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/info-2020/resume-mistakes-to-avoid.html
2. ↑ https://careercenter.georgetown.edu/major-career-guides/resumes-cover-letters/resume-formatting-tips/
3. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/never-put-these-things-on-your-resume-2015-7#20-annoying-buzzwords-20
4. ↑ https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/info-2020/resume-mistakes-to-avoid.html
5. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/never-put-these-things-on-your-resume-2015-7#3-personal-stuff-3
6. ↑ https://www.psci.com/common-resume-mistakes-to-avoid/
7. ↑ https://magazine.tcu.edu/winter-2017/avoid-common-resume-mistakes/
8. ↑ https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6972-resume-mistakes-fixes.html
9. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/never-put-these-things-on-your-resume-2015-7#6-too-much-text-6
10. ↑ https://magazine.tcu.edu/winter-2017/avoid-common-resume-mistakes/
11. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/never-put-these-things-on-your-resume-2015-7#23-a-photo-of-yourself-23
12. ↑ https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6972-resume-mistakes-fixes.html