As top Phoenix recruiters, PrideStaff knows your resume is your ticket into the hiring process. When you have a great resume, you’ll dramatically increase your chance of getting called for an interview. A weak resume riddled with red flags, however, will undermine your best efforts. So what resume mistakes must you avoid? Here’s a look at 5:
#1: Spelling errors.
One small typo won’t necessarily take you out of the running for a job. But if your resume is peppered with errors in spelling and grammar, then it’s going to make a poor impression. A hiring manager will think that if you can’t even submit a resume that’s been proofread, how can they trust you with important details of the job?
#2: Hard-to-read fonts and bright colors.
When it comes to how you format your resume, keep it simple (unless you’re a graphic designer or applying for some similar job in a creative industry). Don’t include a crazy animated gif, or your name bolded in bright red. Keep standard 1-inch margins and use a professional looking font in black.
#3: Not including keywords.
Many employers today – especially large corporations – use software to screen candidate resumes. To make it through this screening process, it’s important to sprinkle a few keywords from the job description throughout your resume. Also, think about what other keywords pertain to the position and include those, as well. For instance, if you’re applying for a job as a web designer, include other keywords, such as digital designer or digital design.
#4: Listing job duties, not accomplishments.
It’s important to give potential employers a sense of your responsibilities in past jobs. But it’s even more important to talk about the positive results you were able to deliver. Statements like “increased sales by 20%,” “expanded audience reach by 30%,” and “negotiated a contract that saved the company $10K,” get the attention of hiring managers.
#5: Sending in a four-page resume.
A resume is a balancing act. You want to give hiring managers a good sense of your career and accomplishments. At the same time, keep in mind: You’re not writing a career autobiography. Keep your points clear and concise. Remove jobs that aren’t relevant today and you held more than 15 years ago. And ditch the ‘relevant’ college course work if you have work experience you can focus on instead.
Remember, hiring managers spend only a few seconds reviewing each resume that comes across their desk. Don’t let one of the mistakes above sabotage your chance of getting a call for an interview.
Would you like professional help with your job search? Call PrideStaff.
As top Phoenix recruiters, we can help you craft a great resume – and connect you with top companies in and around Phoenix. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.
