FREE 6 Resume Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Job Search

It may seem to you that your resume is in tip-top shape. However, after reading all of these resume mistakes, you might just want to go over your resume several times to make sure that you did not commit any of the mistakes that you had. The closer your resume is to perfect, the higher your chances are of getting considered for the job.

It may seem to you that your resume is in tip-top shape. However, after reading all of these resume mistakes, you might just want to go over your resume several times to make sure that you did not commit any of the mistakes that you had. The closer your resume is to perfect, the higher your chances are of getting considered for the job.

In this article, we have prepared several resume samples for different jobs of different levels. They are all offered for free, are easy to download, and are ready for printing and to use as a reference. Plus, we list down six resume mistakes that will ruin your chances of getting the job you have always wanted. Keep reading and find out how you can keep your resume in good shape and how to avoid the said mistakes.

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The Mistakes to Avoid

It is okay to make mistakes. The first time it happens, it’s fine. The second time it does, that’s already a choice. That may be true for other situations, but for job applications? Let us just say that it’s a big exception.

Let us talk about resumes and the common mistakes committed to these crucial documents. Your resumes should be in top-notch form before you start sending it to your potential employers. Mistakes are a big NO-NO for resumes and we want you to avoid these mistakes as soon as possible.

Here we have collected some of the most common mistakes committed to resumes. Read through each one and make sure these are the ones you avoid on your resume.

Mistake #1: Grammatical Errors and Misspellings

It may seem like a little typo here and there are not going to affect your chances but it actually can. Hiring managers go through a lot of job resumes on a daily basis, which makes them have a keen eye for any mistake and grammar mistakes. There is no room for giving the impression of sloppiness and making it seem like you rushed to make your resume. Take a few seconds of your time to actually go through your resume several times. Better yet, have someone else proofread it after you do it yourself.

Mistake #2: Dishonesty

Never ever lie on your resume. It can make you lose a good career opportunity. A ton of companies do a background check. If you have been found to say things that are found to be false, that’s where the line ends for that particular opportunity. Make sure to keep everything clear and honest. Never include vague dates for your graduation and the jobs you took. Never be too complacent to think that they will never find out. Even if you do get away with it during the screening process, your dishonesty just might become the reason you will find it hard to keep the said job.

Mistake #3: Poor Resume Format

Always remember that resume formatting does matter. Make sure that you make use of a font that would be easy to read and make use of the white space. This helps to make it easier to read and also makes it easier for the hiring manager to determine what you are trying to highlight. You should also try to avoid using huge blocks of texts. Instead, make use of bullets and lists to make it easier to get your point across.

Remember, you are writing a document for a job application. Everything should be formal and professional.

Mistake #4: The Body of Your Resume Does Not Make Sense

What you include in your resume is highly crucial. You have to make sure that everything is clear and straightforward. Make sure that you avoid statements that are vague, broad, and inappropriate. You should also make sure that you avoid giving out information that might raise questions such as your reasons for quitting your previous jobs. It is also advisable that you make use of action words to make your resume sound more enthusiastic.

Mistake #5: Quantity over Quality

A lot of job applicants scramble to find tips on writing a one-page resume. However, instead of focusing how long your resume should be, you should probably focus more on what you should include to make it impressive enough for the employer. Make sure that you include all the necessary experiences, skills, and qualifications that you have.

Mistake #6: Making a Generic Resume for All Your Job Applications

One of the most common resume mistakes most people make is making one resume for all the jobs they are applying for. This is a red flag and should be corrected immediately. One of the reasons to customize your resume is the fact that it can help you target your resume according to the job you are applying for. This, in turn, increases your chances of getting considered for the job.

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Resume Formatting Guidelines

The format of a resume is just as important as any other aspect of a resume. An effective resume formatting makes it easier to read and understand what you want to convey to the employer. To make it easier for you to grab a hold of how your resume format should look like, let us tell you how each section of your resume should look like.

Header

• Make sure your name is written clearly and is the highlight of this section. Writing this in bold and in a slightly bigger font compared to the rest of the texts will do the trick.
• Below your name, write down your contact details. You have to make sure that all the details are correct as this will make it easier for the potential employer to get in touch with you.
  • Current address
  • Mobile number
  • E-mail address
  • Professional social media profile (e.g., LinkedIn)

 

Education

• List your academic history in reverse chronological order. State the name of your school, the major you have taken up, and the year you graduated.
• You might want to include your GPA especially if you just recently graduated from school.

 

Experience

Employers and job applicants alike make use of the chronological resume format. This resume format lists down work experiences, as well as other relevant experiences, in reverse chronological order. This means that it starts with the most recent work experience going down to the first one. This resume format will have the following order:

• This starts with the name of the company, the location/address of the company, and the number amount of time you stayed with the company.
• The next line would be your designation in the company.
• The next line after your designation will be a brief description of the nature of work you had with that company. Aside from your job description, it would also be a good idea to list down your achievements with the company. Make use of bullets for this part to make it easier to read.

 

Activities and Interests

This is the part of the resume where you mention what extracurricular activities you have participated in, the volunteer work you did, and other involvement that will demonstrate that you have other interests aside from work/school. It is highly advisable to include these, especially if they are related to the work that you will be applying for.

Skills

Everybody has a set of skills, whether they have experience or otherwise. This will include your technical skills, as well as your soft skills. In cases where you have acquired specific skills from workshops and certifications, you should cite these properly.

Your resume is one of the most crucial gauging factors that can determine whether you are a good fit for the job or not. Even if you were qualified but you find yourself having a resume that is mediocre and full of mistakes, then your chances of getting the right job are still very low. If you are still searching for a job at the moment, it is probably high time that you edit or update your resume. Just remember that you should never pull any tricks that will compromise your chances of getting the job.

In any case you find yourself falling into one or two of the mistakes that we have mentioned, that is fine. At least now you know what you need to improve on and what you need to do in order to make your resume be more job-ready than ever.

We hope you learned a little something from what we have shared with you. We wish you get that dream job you have been dreaming of. The best of luck to you and your future career!