10 Unforgivable Mistakes You Should Never Make
in Your First Resume
Many people feel surprisingly reckless about their resumes. They send them not even bothering themselves with possible grammar and spelling issues, incorrect contact information, etc. However, such an attitude can cost them a job.
We want to emphasize that due to the condensed format of the document, all mistakes are surprisingly noticeable in a resume. Therefore, we strongly advise you to proofread your resume once or twice before sending it to anyone.
Editing is an essential part of a resume writing process. Professional resume writers agree that they often spend more time editing and proofreading than actually writing a paper. In fact, this is the process of making your resume sophisticated.
Obviously, the largest number of mistakes is usually made by those who write their first resumes. Below are the errors you should specifically care to avoid.
Wrong Contact Information
Companies providing write my resume services all agree that the biggest mistake that happens quite often in resumes is incorrect contact information. An outdated email address and a wrong contact number can make your resume useless no matter how good it is.
Therefore, when you are about to submit your file to a recruiter, make sure you put the right information. Failure to do that prevents hiring managers from reaching out to you. In other words, this mistake can cost you an interview and, possibly, even a job.
Unprofessional Email
Did you know that emails that sound like queenofdesert@email.email or littleprinsess@email.email get fewer responses from recruiters and hiring managers? That’s the truth. They tend to refrain from applicants with weird and unprofessional emails.
Therefore, even If you have one of the above that has been serving you well, do bother to create a new one. It should have your name or surname or both with some numbers. Such a small detail is really important and has a critical impact on your professional image.
Vague Information
Resumes are condensed and specific. When we talk about your first resume, it’s recommended not to exceed one page writing it. In some cases, when a student has a sufficient history of research projects, their resume may have 2-pages. However, a one-page resume is a golden standard.
Such a limitation helps you stay consistent writing it since every word you put should be meaningful. There is no place for long and unnecessary descriptions. Your writing style should be formal, and your goal should be to say the most important things using as few words as possible.
Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
Your recruiter needs only a few seconds to realize whether it is worth spending their time on your resume or not. Grammar and spelling mistakes are all highlighted in resumes that have only one page. The sooner they spot them, the higher the chances that you won’t get a call back.
Therefore, double-check your final file. Look up the confusing words in dictionaries as well as run the whole text through Grammarly or other software. Ask for professional proofread or order resume editing services if you are not sure whether you did everything right.
Irrelevant Information
Your ability to filter relevant information from unnecessary details is key for successful resume writing. However, you should also take into account that no one is interested in outdated information even if it was once relevant.
Therefore, steer clear from mentioning your marital status, age, hobbies in your resume. No one pays attention to all of it now. Avoid putting your high school achievements too if you have 6 years of university experience. Filter information to leave a space for the most critical and important details.
Absence of Numerical Data
Recruiters and hiring managers find numerical data the most characterizing. Thus, if you can’t quantify your achievement, they often find it unimportant. The logic is the following: if you have no quantifiable results, you probably never took the initiative.
What you need to do is to make sure that one-third of your bullet points have figures. When you think of it, it is not so difficult to do. There must be some business growth numbers that you achieved doing your job.
Cliches and Intrusive Keywording
Recruiters are also not happy with reading the same things over and over in dozens of resumes received for one position. You can avoid their irritation by refraining from using buzzwords, obvious keywords, and cliches in your resume.
Build your own image and show your voice by being honest in what you say. Keywords are indeed important for ATS, but they should not be in every sentence. Put them wisely to ensure you still communicate things you want to share with the potential employer. It can really benefit you.
Failure to Be Specific
Professional resume writers suggest that candidates should tailor their resume to a particular company every time they want to send it. It will help them make it more specific and position-related. Too generalized resumes or those created based on the one-size-fits-all philosophy are not good for job search today.
You do not have to craft a new resume for every position. Write it once but make some edits every time you find an interesting job posting to meet its needs better. Lazy job applications do no good for people looking for a dream position for the first time in their lives.
Fancy Design
It comes as a surprise to some people, no one expects you to submit a design masterpiece. Recruiters and hiring managers do look for information rather than format. Of course, your resume should look neat and inviting-to-the-eye, but you do not have to include colors, geometrical objects, tables, etc.
In fact, such designs can even hinder your chances of securing an interview. Modern ATS software used to scan applicants’ resumes does not accept fancy designs. Thus, the simpler, the better.
Repetitions and Wordiness
Do not repeat the same words too much. Tautology and repetitions have never been well-accepted in any writing. Resumes are not very much different. The same applies to making your resume too dense and hard to read. If a recruiter gets bored or tired of reading your resume, it can hardly mean that your candidature will get a closer look.
We strongly encourage you to pay attention to these mistakes and avoid them when writing your first resume. Treat your document as a leaflet intended to attract readers and ‘sell’ your skills at a high price. The same marketing tricks should work.