Common Resume Mistakes

Are you worried about your resume? You should be if you are making these common resume mistakes most often committed by job seekers! In this current tough economic climate, and in seeing the changes that have occurred in most job searches, you MUST pay close attention to getting your resume right each time you send it out.

Some alleged professional resume writerswill tell you to use a professional to create that "winning resume" when all they really want is your money. It's a "one time shot" for them and a big waste of time and money for you. You can use a professional, however, if you have done your homework on them by checking their credentials and getting references to insure that you get the results you pay for. If you find a good resume writer, have them re-write your resume and then you can use it as a template for all the other resumes you will modify as you apply for each job.

In reality, you do need more than one resume. Some job seekers have as many as 100 resumes, saved as MS Word documents by job title and date, and they have been modified for each position applied to. You can have one well written resume to use as a template for each application you send, however, you are making a huge mistake if you don't modify and send a resume that is tailored for each position. YES, make a new resume each time you apply for a job!

Are you using the job description to re-write your resume? Many job seekers fail to read the job description at all, and then they send out the same resume to each application they make. They don't use the job description to their advantage, and then wonder why no one calls them for an interview or responds to their application.

It is very important, more so now than ever before, that you read the job description completely; first, to see if you qualify for the position, and second, to see exactly what the employer is really looking for in a candidate. If you fail in this one issue, you will never get an interview because you didn't know all of the details.

Modify your template resume to include all of the important statements from the job description. Qualifications/Requirements are an important area of focus! Make sure you meet them beyond doubt. Use the keywords and phrases from the job description to indicate that you meet these qualifications. These keywords and phrases should be scattered throughout your resume, as appropriate in your objective and your explanation of your experience with each job you've held.

Your objective should be to get the job you are applying for. Your OBJECTIVE on your resume should focus on what the employer is looking for. If you meet this need, then tell the reader HOW you meet the need. The objective (usually found at the top of your resume) should NEVER read like the following example:

"I'm looking for a position that will allow me to use the experience I've gained over the years to help me excel in my next position"

The above type of "Objective" statement is a no no.

Your objective should show the reader that you are qualified, based on the job description, and that you truly have the qualifications they are looking for. Be concise in your objective and get right to the point.

Make it a point to modify your resume so that it's easy for the reader to find your qualifications throughout your resume. Use bullet points sparingly (4-5 key bullet points for each experience listed) so you don't bore the reader. Use descriptive sentences that make the reader visualize you doing the job and want to learn more about you, and call you for an interview.

Are your resumes 6 pages long? Many recruiters and hiring managers tell me that they continue to see resumes that are too long. What are you saying in your 6 page resume that you can't say in 2 pages? Get rid of wordy phrases and additional information that has nothing to do with the job you are modifying your resume for. If the reader sees an extensive resume, when one is not needed, they are likely to quit reading.

Be prepared to:

• Read the job description.

• Modify your resume every time you apply for a job.

• Enhance your OBJECTIVE based on the job description and on the employer's needs.

• Be concise and reduce wordiness.

• Save your resumes, by job title and date applied, so that you can refer back to the resume sent to a hiring manager who calls you for an interview.

Making changes each time sounds like a daunting task. It can be, however, you'll find that by starting out with one good resume, the changes become very easy each time you send one out. Modifying your resume will help you to avoid making these resume mistakes because you will be proofreading it often.

Source: Steven Coyne, The Job Hunter Group