The most common mistakes people make writing a resume and how to avoid them

In the world of work one of the first things we go to when hitting the job market and showcasing our skills and experience.?

Having a strong resume is a crucial tool for job seekers, as it is often the first opportunity to make a lasting impression on potential employers. Research has shown however than on average a hiring person reviewing multiple resumes will on average spend under 7 seconds. reviewing a resume for a job application which means it needs to be short, sharp and punchy. ?

Often people will make some critical mistakes in their resumes that can detract from their ability to land an interview for the position.?

Here are some of the common mistakes make when writing resumes and how to avoid them?

Failing to Tailor the Resume to the Job?

?One of the biggest mistakes people make when writing a resume is failing to tailor it to the specific job they are applying for. It is important to tailor your resume to the job by highlighting the skills and experiences that are relevant to the position. ?

Overloading the Resume with Unnecessary Information?

Another common mistake is including too much information on a resume. A resume should be concise and to the point, highlighting the most relevant information for the job and as a rule not over 4 pages. If you’ve had a lengthly career you really don’t want to be going into too much detail past the last 5-10 years. ?

Poor Formatting?

Poor formatting can make a resume look cluttered and unprofessional. It is important to use a clear and easy-to-read font, proper spacing, and bullet points to make your resume easy to read. Sometimes less is more and using a simple resume with limited frames can make it easier to edit and sending it as a PDF can also ensure it is delivered and presented as you intended it. ?

Ignoring Keywords?

?Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. These systems use keywords to identify the most qualified candidates. Ignoring keywords in the job description and not including them in your resume can result in your resume being overlooked. Government applications always have a selection criteria and often job adverts will detail this so ensure you are meeting these keywords in your resume.?

Using Clichés and Jargon?

?Using cliches and jargon in your resume can make it sound generic and unoriginal. Instead, focus on clearly and concisely describing your skills, experiences, and achievements in a way that is simplistic and does not assume that the person reading your resume has the same background you do. Often HR or Talent Acquisition are the first point of review. ?

Failing to Proofread?

One of the simplest, yet most important, steps in writing a resume is proofreading. Spelling and grammar errors can make a resume look unprofessional and can detract from the overall impression you want to make. Get at least two people to proofread your resume before sending it to avoid minor errors on the resume. ?

Omitting Achievements, Results and Metrics?

?Simply listing your duties and responsibilities is not enough. Employers want to see the results and metrics that demonstrate the impact you have had in your previous roles so go the extra mile in listing your responsibilities and then detailing each key achievement and the metrics involved. It’ll build credibiltiy and help you stand out. ?

Writing a winning resume can be the difference between an interview and missing out on that first round so putting a bit of work in on the outset will pay dividends in the future.?

Need a bit of help??

Due to demand from prospective job seekers Karan & Co are adding resume writing services and career coaching to our portfolio so we can serve you better.

If you’d like to be kept in the loop for the launch please email our Recruitment Coordinator Jess at [email protected] so you can be first to know when the service launches next month. ?