Four Resume Writing Mistakes

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you already know that in 2009 the United States saw one of its most severe economic recessions in recent years. In January 2009 close to 170,000 jobs were lost from big companies like Sears, Ford and Disney. In November 2009, the States saw around 2,000 mass layoff actions that created about the same amount of jobs (170,000) to be lost, causing the year-end unemployment rate to top out at 10%.

Economists around the country, including U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, have been forecasting that 2010 will see a decline in the recession and an increase in hiring; meaning that one of those New Year's resolutions should be updating your resume. By updating your resume, you will bring a since of professionalism that employers will be looking for when hiring new employees. Here is a list of the top four mistakes when updating your resume which you should avoid.

#4 Your Resume May Lack Focus

When updating your resume, it is very important to streamline your resume so that it is very easy to read. Keep in mind that those who review resumes go through dozens at a time, leaving on 3 to 20 seconds for review. In that time, your potential employer should be able glean your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, your resume revision should be specific to the position in which you are applying. A majority of hiring managers prefer that your resume be specific to open position. A general resume, not attributing your strengths to the position at hand could be seen as being non-competitive.

#3 Don't Use Old Tricks to Land A New Job

The first thing that many people do when revising their resume is to pick up that book that they bought several years ago; the last time that that thought that it would be a good idea to update their resume. Resume styles are similar to present day technology; each year brings about transformations and modifications which need to be adhered to if you want to stay current. Referencing material which you purchased several years ago may not include these updated styles.

#2 Objectives Are Not Always the Objective

While I was a hiring manager, 90 percent of the resumes that crossed my desk contained an objective or personal statement and I found myself passing over them. Not only does a multi-sentenced objective distract the reader from the "nuts and bolts" of the resume, it is also self-centered. Resumes should project how you can help the company and not how the company helps you to attain your personal or professional goals. If you feel that it is imperative to have an objective, save it for the cover letter.

#1 Do it yourself

Many bad resumes are developed because a person who has no experience creating one attempts to do so. You may be the best assistant manager which your local grocery store has ever had, but if you have not ever written a resume or have not stayed current in the trends in resumes, your revised resume may not put your best foot forward.

If you are serious about creating a resume which both delineates your personal potential while looking professional at the same time, you may want to invest in having a professional resume writing service create or revise your resume. Businesses like BookMark! Online (http://sites.google.com/site/bookmarkonlineing) have several years experience with creating quality resumes in the Greater Cincinnati area and Nationwide. An unprofessional resume can destroy confidence among potential employers with concerns to your ability and may shoot your chances in the foot before you even get your foot through the door.

Though the 2009 saw a considerable drop in the number of jobs because of the slump in the economy, the economy has been forecasted to rebound in 2010. With this, a jump in the job market is bound to mimic this economic upturn. If you are like the multitude of people who are currently unemployed, it would behoove you to update your resume so that you can put your best foot forward.