How Not to Write a Resume That Gets Overlooked

Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. Yet, too many job seekers make common mistakes that cause their resumes to get overlooked, tossed aside, or lost in a sea of applications. In today's competitive job market, it's essential to know what not to do when writing a resume. In this article, we'll explore the top pitfalls that job seekers fall into when crafting their resumes and offer practical tips to help you avoid them.

? Introduction to Common Resume Mistakes

1. Writing RESUME at the top / beginning of your resume.
2. Using tables, pictures, and online resume builders.
3. Submitting a resume in Word format.
4. Saving a resume with an irrelevant, unreconcilable, and indistinguishable name.
5. Unorganised or unordered resume sections.

? Not Tailoring Your Resume to the Job

Possible Impacts :

1. Your resume may not reflect the specific requirements of the job, which can lead to being overlooked by employers.
2. Hiring managers may assume that you have not taken the time to research the company and job if your resume does not align with the job requirements.
3. Your resume may contain irrelevant information, making it difficult for the hiring manager to understand why you are a good fit for the position.

? Not Highlighting Your Skills and Achievements

Possible Impacts :

1. Employers may assume that you do not have the necessary skills and experience to perform well in the job if they are not highlighted in your resume.
2. Employers may not recognize your potential value to the company, leading to being overlooked or rejected for the job.
3. Without showcasing your achievements, it may be difficult for the hiring manager to understand your impact and contributions in previous roles.

? Overlooking Keywords and Phrases

Possible Impacts :

1. Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords and phrases. If your resume does not include these, it may not be seen by human recruiters.
2. Your resume may not appear in search results if recruiters are searching for candidates based on specific keywords and phrases.
3. Not including relevant keywords and phrases can suggest to recruiters that you do not have the necessary skills or experience for the job.

? Using a Generic Objective Statement or Summary

Possible Impacts :

1. Your objective statement or summary is often the first thing recruiters will read on your resume. A generic statement can suggest that you lack direction or clarity in your career goals and aspirations, which can create a negative first impression.
2. A generic objective statement or summary does not convey your unique value proposition, making it difficult for employers to understand what you can offer to the company.
3. A generic statement can give the impression that you are not truly interested in the job and are simply sending out resumes indiscriminately.

? Including Irrelevant Information

Possible Impacts :

1. Including irrelevant information can make your resume appear cluttered and unfocused, making it difficult for recruiters to find the information they need.
2. Irrelevant information can be seen as a red flag by employers, making them question your attention to detail and professionalism.
3. Adding irrelevant information can make your resume appear longer than it needs to be, resulting in it?being skipped over by recruiters.

? Failing to Format Your Resume Effectively

Possible Impacts :

1. A lack of clear sections and headings can make it more difficult for recruiters to understand your background and qualifications.
2. Poor formatting can make your resume difficult to read, leading to recruiters skipping over your application entirely.
3. Inconsistent formatting can make your resume appear unpolished and amateurish, which can hurt your chances of being selected for the job.

? Neglecting to Proofread and Edit Your Resume

Possible Impacts :

1. Neglecting to proofread and edit your resume can lead to embarrassing typos and errors, which can make you appear unprofessional and careless to recruiters.
2. A resume with errors can suggest to recruiters that you lack attention to detail and may not be thorough in your work.
3. Neglecting to proofread and edit your resume can obscure important information, making it more difficult for recruiters to see your qualifications and achievements.

? Not Customizing Your Cover Letter

Possible Impacts :

1. Not customizing your cover letter can make it appear generic and unenthusiastic, which can create a negative first impression with recruiters.
2. A generic cover letter can suggest to recruiters that you lack a genuine interest in the job and may not be a good fit for the company culture.
3. A generic cover letter can make it more difficult for you to stand out from other candidates, who may have put in the effort to customize their cover letters.

? Failing to Follow Up After Submitting Your Application

Possible Impacts :

1. Following up can show that you are proactive and enthusiastic about the job, which can make you stand out from other candidates.
2. Following up can help you understand the recruitment process and timeline. Following up can help you build a relationship with the company and its recruiters, which can be beneficial in the long run.
3. Failing to follow up can mean that you miss out on opportunities to clarify information or answer questions that recruiters may have.

? Simple Instructions for Freshers

1. Your resume should be organized in this order : Name, Contact Details ? Career Objective ? Skills ? Experience / Internships / Most Recent Certification ? Education ? Achievements ? Hobbies & Interests (Only if you have empty space)
2. Do not include the declaration section at the end. (I hereby declare that the information...)
3. Your resume should be a PDF document and the name of the PDF must be in this format : Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf
4. Your resume should be only one page.
5. Do not include the Personal Details section ( Gender, Marital status, etc.)
6. Do not write your full home address, it's not required.
7. Use the LinkedIn custom profile URL while mentioning it in the?resume.
8. Use a chronological resume template (2 columns).
9. Continuously update your resume as per the instructions and tips you came across on the internet. No one creates a good resume on the first attempt, and there is no such thing as a perfect resume.
10. Sample resume to refer Shripad_Kshirsagar_Resume.pdf

I am always happy to review your resume, share my input, and provide special tips for resume writing. Feel free to connect with me via?LinkedIn or?WhatsApp .

G O O D L U C K

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