Here's how you can avoid common mistakes in resume writing.

Tailoring your CV for each job application significantly increases your chances of getting hired. Why Customization Matters: - Relevance: Highlighting relevant skills and experiences catches the employer’s eye. - Fit: Shows you understand the job requirements and are a good match. - Attention: Customized CVs stand out in a sea of generic applications. How to Customize: - Targeted Keywords: Use keywords from the job description. - Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on experiences and skills that match the job. - Personalize: Address the company’s specific needs and culture. Customizing your CV makes a strong impression, improving your chances of landing the job.

How are you different than every other applicant for this specific job? This story should be very clear from a 6 second resume scan. If it isn't, then your chances go down by 60%+ (ok, I made up that #, but you get the picture). Your goal is to tell a STORY that shows how you can step in and make an immediate impact. How will you solve problems from day 1? Grow the bottom line? Improve processes? Build relationships? Now show the proof that you have done something similar in the past. BOOM! You've got this!

Don't use same resume for every job profile. Tailor your resume according to required expertise. Align it with the keywords mentioned in the job description to make your resume ATS friendly. Showcase your relevant skills and certificates to leave an everlasting impression.

All of these items mentioned are important, but the #1 mistake I see in resumes is the candidate's inability to identify their audience and reflect on what's important to that audience. First, decide whether you're committed to networking for your search or you've resigned yourself to applying thru online job boards (which I advise against). If you're going with job boards, the format has to be ATS-compliant so your information loads into the database properly. Then you get to play the keyword matching game. If networking will be your thing, you have lots of great options available regarding the layout and design of the resume like use of color, stacking or combining roles, creating call-out features, etc.

Avoiding mistakes is crucial for a standout professional resume and to make a mark on potential employers. For this purpose, it is very important to use bullet points to describe your achievements in each role rather than just listing your responsibilities. Quantify your accomplishments with numbers where possible. Use keywords from the job description to help your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This increases the likelihood that your resume will be seen by a human recruiter. Highlight both hard and soft skills. Make sure they are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

We do not need to overcomplicate your resume format. I repeat, don't stress about this part. The writing is the most important aspect of your resume. With that being said, there are resume formats that work better with the applicant tracking system (ATS). So from a formatting perspective, think about the ATS first. Then incorporate some of your own personal brand and design features while still maintaining ATS compliance.

Be sure to format your resume so that it works for both a professional reading it and an ATS system parsing it. This means using Microsoft Word but not including tables or drawings.

The Importance of a Clear CV Format. A clear CV format is crucial for making a positive impression on potential employers. Why Clarity Matters: - Readability: Easy-to-read CVs help employers quickly find key information. - Professionalism: A well-organized CV reflects your attention to detail and professionalism. - First Impressions: A clear format ensures your CV stands out for the right reasons. Tips for a Clear CV: - Use Headings: Clearly label sections like Experience, Education, and Skills. - Consistent Formatting: Use uniform fonts, bullet points, and spacing. - Keep It Simple: Avoid clutter and focus on relevant information. A clear CV format helps your application get noticed and increases your chances of landing the job.

Treat every resume like a custom suit. Tailor it to each specific job description. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the position. Proofread like your career depends on it (because it kind of does!). Typos and grammatical errors scream carelessness. Run your resume through spellcheck, have a pro/mentor review it, do whatever it takes to ensure it's polished and professional.

A couple of additional tips not mentioned so far: - make sure you understand the anticipated style and format of a resume or CV in the country where the job is. Styles vary considerably across the globe - what is typically seen in a resume in India isn't the same as what is typically seen in Canada, for example; - let go of your ego. You may have extensive skills in something the employer is not looking for, but if it isn't relevant to the job you are applying for, don't include it.

Using concise language in your CV is crucial for making a strong impression. Why Concise Language Matters: - Clarity: Clear, brief statements make it easy for employers to grasp your qualifications quickly. - Impact: Concise language highlights key achievements and skills without unnecessary filler. - Professionalism: A succinct CV demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. Tips for Conciseness: - Be Direct: Use short, powerful sentences. - Avoid Jargon: Keep language simple and to the point. - Focus on Relevance: Include only the most pertinent information. A concise CV enhances readability and ensures your qualifications stand out, increasing your chances of securing the job.

It is easy to miss a typo on your resume. Read your resume 1,000x and you could actually miss the same error over and over again. So use all of the tools that are at your disposal to check for spelling and grammar errors. And then pass it off to a friend, colleague, or family member for a fresh set of eyes.

Don't rely on spellcheck! Fiance and finance are both words, but you likely only majored in one of them :) Read your resume out loud to spot errors - it can be a better way to catch them.

Most people, myself included, are terrible at proofreading their own work. I have had resumes submitted where the phone number was incorrect, or the email was missing. It happens, but when it comes to resumes, any mistake can be too costly. It is imperative to have someone who has never seen the resume, so they are actually reading what is on the page and not reading from memory, proofread it. It may get you the interview.

Thoroughly proofreading your CV is essential for a professional application. Why Proofreading Matters: - Accuracy: Ensures all information is correct and error-free. - Professionalism: Reflects attention to detail and care in presentation. - Clarity: Eliminates typos and unclear language that can confuse employers. Tips for Thorough Proofreading: - Use Spell Check: Catch basic errors in spelling and grammar. - Read Aloud: Helps identify awkward phrasing and missing words. - Get Feedback: Ask someone else to review your CV for fresh perspective. A meticulously proofread CV enhances your credibility and increases your chances of making a positive impression on employers.

If you use a resume builder on a website, take the time to review what we'll see on our end. 3-4 pages of bulleted skills in a 6 page resume conveys a lack of consideration (for our time), dedicated intent, attention to detail, and an earnest effort. More is certainly not better.

Highlighting only relevant details in your CV is crucial for capturing employers' attention effectively. Why Focus on Relevance Matters: - Relevance: Emphasizes skills and experiences directly applicable to the job. - Clarity: Ensures key qualifications stand out without distractions. - Efficiency: Saves time for employers, making it easier to assess your suitability. Tips for Emphasizing Relevance: - Tailor Each CV: Customize your CV for each job application. - Prioritize Skills: Highlight skills most pertinent to the job description. - Condense Experience: Focus on recent and significant roles and achievements. By focusing on relevant details, your CV becomes more impactful and increases your chances of securing interviews.

Only mention relevant and necessary details which should be there on resume. Nothing to do with your photo (as ATS can't analyze images), don't mention any confidential information, avoid writing hobbies, let them ask. No matter how many certificates you have, mention only relevant and recent ones.

Strong resumes do not utilize weak verbiage or over-used verbiage such as "proven track record", "responsible for", "duties included", "team player", "communication" - I would never use this terminology on a resume, which consists of common mistakes I often see. This language does not validate your expertise - i.e. instead of saying "proven track record", quantify the years of experience. As an established Career Coach who has written over 5k resumes for all industries/levels/backgrounds, I would advise to include powerful action verbs. The Muse is a great resource for this, along with talking to others who are not experts in your field to explain what you do, how you do it, and how it can best be displayed on your resume.

While we talk about STAR for resume writing and interview prep (situation, task at hand, actions taken, results), you actually want to write your accomplishments in the RATS format - result first.

Formatting plays a major role in resume writing. Keep alignment in position, keep an eye on color, font shape and font size of the written matter. Don't experiment with font style like Calibre, italic etc. Times new roman font is best for resume writing.