Is Your Resume Hurting Your Job Search?

Twenty tips to improve your chances of getting the interview.

The modern job search poses many roadblocks for your resume. It must make it through the applicant tracking system (ATS), then pass by a human who will only allow it seconds to catch their attention and remain in the “consider” pile for further review. Many jobseekers have not conducted a search campaign in years, and their resume reflects outdated practices that can get them eliminated from the competition.

After seeing thousands of resumes that have come across my desk, several common problems appear repeatedly. Keep in mind there are exceptions to every guideline I give below, and as a professional resume writer I often strategically break the rules; but make sure you understand the consequences before you do. Think twice before doing the following:

1. Starting your resume with an objective. The first part of your resume should indicate the type of position you are seeking, and promote what you have to offer the company. Hiring managers hate the classic “seeking a challenging position with a progressive company” type of objective.
2. Going too far back in your career history. Not only will you date yourself, you will waste valuable resume space with irrelevant information not applicable to the current job. Ten to fifteen years or so is a good range to start with, depending on how many positions you have had.
3. Having a resume longer than 2 pages. There must be a compelling reason for anything longer. If significant achievements need do be addressed further, think of doing a portfolio or project addendum as a value-add to your resume.
4. Writing in the first person. Resumes are written with an “implied I,” without pronouns. You would say, “Directed multiple projects to successful completion,” not “I directed multiple projects to their successful completion.”
5. Using your local address for an out-of-state job search. Make sure you have an address on your resume that is in your target area. ATSs often filter by city or zip code.
6. Focusing on duties instead of achievements. Most resumes read like a job description. Make sure you highlight your unique brand and successes. Try thinking in terms of challenge, action, result (CAR) to help you focus on accomplishments. Use numbers to support claims when possible.
7. Targeting your resume for only one position. Your resume must be modified for each position you apply for. The job description is a great guide for key words that you should include.
8. Applying for positions you aren’t qualified for. There is an over-abundance of ideally qualified candidates on the market, and that’s what employers prefer. Rate all the requirements on the job description from 1 to 5. If you aren’t averaging over 4, you aren’t a good fit.
9. Applying for positions you are over-qualified for. Companies feel over-qualified jobseekers will leave for more money as soon as the market changes, or will be bored if not challenged adequately. Some companies are seeking “talent at a bargain price,” but it is still rare.
10. Listing dates down the left side of your resume. This is the most valuable real estate on your resume, so don’t waste the space pointing out dates of employment. Put them to the right of the job title or company.
11. Creating a functional resume format. It will be immediately assumed you are trying to hide something with this format, and managers and recruiters aren’t going to take the time to figure it out.
12. Putting a picture or personal information on your resume. A picture can lead to an automatic rejection at some companies who don’t want the possible liability that could arise.
13. Submitting a resume in the wrong format. If an online system indicates .doc, then don’t submit .docx or PDF. If .txt is required, make sure you know how to convert your resume.
14. Having grammar and spelling errors. This consistently shows up as a complaint in every hiring manager and HR survey. Some ATSs will filter for misspelled words to reduce the candidate pool.
15. Using a small or hard to read font. Managers are too busy to adjust documents. Make everything as easy for them as possible, so revise the formatting to improve readability if necessary.
16. Indicating why you left each position. Not appropriate for a resume. Reason for leaving can be discussed in an interview if the employer wants to know.
17. Offering the years you graduated from college. This is fine for recent graduates, but can be left off for older workers.
18. Squeezing too much on the page. Break up the resume with white space, bullets, and brief paragraphs to engage the reader and draw the eye in.
19. Listing hobbies and volunteer activities. Unless directly related to your job search, you can do more harm than good by adding these. Although, it is more accepted for recent graduates.
20. Adding “references available by request.” The company knows you won’t refuse them, so no need to mention it, especially if there is something more important you can add.

There is no margin for error in this difficult job market, and employers are looking for reasons to filter out weaker candidates. Use the above tips to improve your resume and increase the odds of making it to the interview.

August Cohen is a distinguished Raleigh-based resume writer and career consultant that holds the prestigious Certified Advanced Resume Writer, Nationally Certified Resume Writer, and Certified Professional Resume Writer credentials. She has recently been honored with 3 “Toast of the Resume Industry” award nominations for best executive resume, best cover letter, and best new graduate resume. August leverages the talents she acquired in her successful corporate career to assist professionals with high-impact resumes, confident interviews, and effective job search strategies.
 

Written by :

August Cohen

 

Career Advice by August Cohen