8 resume mistakes to avoid

A resume is one of the most important documents in job searching and maintaining a professional proof of excellence for a person. It should therefore be written carefully in order to impress the employer. Below are 8 common resume mistakes you should avoid.

1. Omitting the profile statement

If you forego the profile statement, you are missing a major branding opportunity. The profile statement is a brief summary of the value you offer in relation to the needs of the employer. Some candidates choose to write an objective statement in place of a profile statement. That is another fatal mistake in that an objective statement describes what YOU want, and the profile statement is focused on how you can fill the needs of the employer.

2. Enticing the reader with lengthy content

Ah…the dreaded wall of text! Perhaps that is the biggest turn-off to a resume reader. Remember that you are writing a resume, not a biography. Write concise statements with just enough detail to show the results of your work.

3. Writing in passive voice

Few words on a resume are duller than the words, “Responsible for.” Passive voice is very weak and does not allow you to take full credit for your action. Always use active voice on your resume. Strive for 95% to 100% active voice on your resume. Microsoft Word provides you with this metrics when you save your document.

4. Writing with pronouns

On a resume, the “I” is implied. There is no need to include pronouns on a resume. Resumes are written in the staccato style. One element of that style is that pronouns are omitted to facilitate a quick read and to avoid extreme redundancy of “I” on the resume.

5. Copying and pasting your company job descriptions

This is a frequent mistake. Remember, your resume is not a job description or a legal document with all details of your functions. Your resume is a marketing document to promote you for your target job. Highlight key achievements to make your document stand out.

6. Detailing functions rather than selling through accomplishments

Most readers of your resume will have a fairly good idea of your job functions when they see your job title. It should only take two to three lines to describe your major duties and the scope of your responsibilities. After that the goal to sell yourself by sharing major accomplishments. Examples of accomplishments might be improving productivity, reducing expenses, boosting sales, increasing quality, and solving big problems. Backup each accomplishment with figures to show the outcome.

7. Cramming two pages of content into one page

Your resume should be as long as necessary to share concisely your relevant experience, education, and expertise. For most professionals that is two pages. One-page resumes are more suitable for candidates with very limited experience, such as new graduates.

8. Including outdated, irrelevant, or inappropriate information

Your resume should stay on point from beginning to end. That means removing old history that is not as relevant as your recent ten to fifteen years. Also, clear your resume of coursework or details that don’t support your current career goal.

Lastly, omit any inappropriate content, such as hobbies, health, marital status, or religious and political affiliations.

Disclaimer: This article was taken from WhatsApp and shared for you to learn.