5 Résumé Mistakes You're Probably Making

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If you ask for 10 different opinions about your resume, that’s just what you’re going to get. You can make yourself crazy trying to figure out what your resume should or shouldn’t be. When it comes to resumes, the only thing that is "always" has nothing to do with how the resume is written, but more and most important; how it's used. If you are sending your resume to the HR department along with the masses, your resume is pretty much like a billboard; HR recruiters are going by at 80 miles an hour and you have about three seconds to grab their attention!
Always, Always, Always, do what you can to get your resume to a hiring manager. Chances are it will be intercepted by the manager’s admin, and that’s a good thing. When you call to confirm that the manager has your resume it is quite easy to speak with the admin...More often than not, the admin will forward your resume to HR. After speaking with the admin, call HR and say you were referred by Sally Jones Ms. Smiths (hiring managers) assistant. When it comes to marketing yourself nothing is always, however, you can’t argue with taking extra steps to get noticed!

John Seraichyk of CT 6:48AM February 08, 2009

I'll take every advice I can get when it comes to seeking employment. Do what ever it takes. Resumes do matter, but they're a small part of the process, albeit the first step. If it weren't for resumes, I would have never gotten my beloved job. Resumes allow you TO MEET THE HIRING PEOPLE ( these folks don't ever share the same opinion as related to SPECIFICS, or DETAILS.) Interview( the most subjectif part of the process) is the determining factor as to whether you'll get that Job or not. Resumes are the Whats, interviews are the Whos( Who are you as a person). It'll all depends on the hiring folks buddies, and a little bit of luck. Just a few doses of luck. I've always believed that there exist better folks than me out there, although I tell myself I am the best, the reality may be much more different. Today's market is polluted with NEPOTISM, selfishness and prejudice of any sort. Briefly, Follow every advice( common errors should be avoided) to conform your resume with that of the potential employer(usually by reading the posting, based on that readjust your resume). Show interest by calling, thank you letter or emails, faxing etc. follows up are very important. I don't have any advice on interview, that's very complex because it's based on YOU. Good luck

exm5fe03 of NC 10:02AM February 04, 2009

Do typographical errors include those that *seem* wrong, but actually are not (and can be shown to be correct by third parties)? I've applied for several jobs over the last month or so, and of the few replies I've had back, over 80% do me the injustice of spelling my name wrong. This is despite the fact that my e-mail, cover letter, CV, publications all have the correct spelling?

Stephan 4:11AM February 03, 2009

To ad a comment about emails with full in boxes, I would also encourage candidates to check their voice mail message on all their phones. Most recruiters don't want to listen to a 5 minute voice mail message blaring Dre and Snoop or Eminem (just as an example, not hating on rappers). Your voice mail message, while job searching, would better serve you by being brief and professional.

Rocky Owens of PA 8:18AM February 02, 2009

This advice is good advice.
I have two other comments not related to actual content of resume:
1. You'd be amazed at the number of resumes I receive which have inaccurate phone numbers or email addresses, or have an email address for which the mailbox is full. These simple mistakes will prevent a recruiter from finding you for a great job. I work hard to reply to each resume sent to me, and am always amazed at how hard it can be to actually locate a jobseeker!
Also..make sure you spellcheck your resume carefully, and NOT just with the computerized spellchecker either, as these can become corrupted. Have someone actually read your resume, and help you correct problems. I find typos on at least 90% of the resumes I review, and sometimes these are typos in really important places such as your title or even the name of the school from which you graduated. Use the same level of quality control on your resume as you would in the important work you do in your career!

Minda Hannenberg of CA 6:33PM January 30, 2009

Yes, your resume needs to be concise and a genuine reflection of your skills and experiences. It does not have to be one page. Those with the same job for long periods of time, i.e. a teacher for 30 years, may only need one page. Students just out of college may only need one page. If you have held three or more jobs, it will take two pages. Your responsibility is to document your background in an easy to read format and include accomplishments not just responsibilities. The recruiters will review the resumes that are the closest fit for the positions they are filling - as long as the information is presented clearly - even if your resume is three pages!
Here are a few tips:
~Don't try to force your margins and use 8 point type to make your resume fit on one page - it will not be appealing to the reader.
~Print out your resume before you send it to anyone to be sure that it prints out without a dialogue box that indicates you are outside the print margin.
~If you are not getting responses to your resume, ask for help from a professional, an on-line service or your local employment office.

Career Coach Kathy of FL 4:22PM January 30, 2009

Good suggestions. I would add that it is really helpful to the Recruiter if education is listed up front instead of at the end. Most professional positions require a degree and nothing is less productive to a Recruiter than reading a resume and then finding out at the end that they do not have a degree. The best advice to any perspective applicant--"remember who your audience is and don't piss off the Recruiter".

Jo Ann Stewart of VA 3:28PM January 30, 2009

These 5 points are exactly what I've recently told friends who are newly entering the job market after not having sought employment for several years. What has happened I find, is that people haven't thought of their jobs in terms of numbers, so it's hard to discern the results from the tasks. Some of the questions outlined here and in other comments posted, are great hints to help people start the ball rolling in their minds on how to arrive at these numbers. Thanks for the confirmation, it helps for all of us to stay relevant and help others. Results and accomplishments tell such a story and help make our jobs easier in the stockpile of applicants.

Shinita of TX 2:48PM January 30, 2009

Great dialogue here, I agree with many of the thoughts shared. But to those who might dismiss the relevance or importance of a correctly crafted resume, I'll hold to the advice I give my resume clients: It STILL remains the linchpin in the entire employment process. Sure, networking remains (even in this 'new' economy) the #1 way to source leads and advance one's candidacy. However, the first or second comment the network-er is likely to get? "Email me your resume!" It's the universal tool used in virtually every field at the onset of the candidate sourcing and vetting process. And if you're not paying attention to the 'five rules' cited in this article (plus a few other essential strategies), you're only delaying or even harming your chances of getting to the dance where you can then best sell yourself as the solution, the answer, the right person to hire!

Jan Melnik, MRW, Absolute Advantage Career Mgmt/Resumes of CT 2:21PM January 30, 2009

For those who think their accomplishments aren't measureable - I say think again. My advice - your accomplishments don't have to save millions or improve the world, but you can qualify and sometimes quantify your results. For every task or responsibility you list ask yourself:
How often did I do this?
What was the impact?
Did I do more than anyone else?
Does this match what they want in the job posting?
If you can help me quickly match your achievements or what you can handle in a job function to the job I am filling, I am much more likely to pick up the phone and call you versus the next resume in my inbox.
Try looking at or thinking of your last performance reviews - what performance successes were noted? Use them.
Everyone does something measurable in some way - if not, your job shouldn't exist at that company.

Christine Karaptian - Director, Talent Acquisition of MI 2:11PM January 30, 2009