The entire job application process can be a stress-inducing experience, but you’ll feel much lighter when you are confident in your resume. The following resume faux pas can cost you a chance to interview, so let’s nip the problem in the bud.
Spelling & Grammar Mistakes
When you submit a resume for a position, you are selling yourself, your capabilities, and your professionalism. When spelling and grammar mistakes are present, your ability to accomplish that task diminishes.
Attention to detail is one of those intangible qualities most hiring managers are looking for. When your resume is riddled with grammar infractions, misspelled words, or flat-out typos, it can influence them to go with another candidate who put more effort into their resume construction.
Inconsistent Formatting
Every resume is bound to look a little different. But when your formatting is inconsistent, it can be an eyesore and reflect poorly on your qualifications as a whole.
For instance, if one job title is listed before the company name, but the next job title is listed afterward, and so on with the inconsistencies, your resume can come off as confusing and disorganized. A well-formatted resume makes your application look that much more appealing.
Missing Contact Information
This is a pretty straightforward point: Always list your contact information on your resume. Additionally, list multiple contact methods, such as phone and email. When a hiring manager looks through your resume and likes what they see, they need to have a clear way to contact you.
Too Lengthy
Hiring managers don’t want to read your autobiography; they want an overview of your experience and skills. For this reason, it’s best to limit your resume to a page (maybe two, if all listed experience is relevant to the position). In that same vein, always lead with the most important content. The longer your resume goes on, the less attention a hiring manager will give it.
Not Tailoring It to the Job Description
A generic resume will only get you so far. You should always tailor your resume to the job for which you are applying. Pull keywords from the job description, include all relevant experience, and otherwise modify your resume to read like an ideal match for that job. More often than not, this level of detail and customization can land you an interview.
Resume mistakes may seem inconsequential in the grander scheme of things, but the little things can make the biggest impact, so make sure your resume is flawless before hitting that submit button.