What Are 7 Common Resume Mistakes? [+Tips to Avoid Them]

A lengthy job search is a familiar struggle for most workers, and no aspect of job seeking is more frustrating than rejection. If you’ve been applying to multiple jobs and you keep getting snubbed or cold-shouldered, then it might be time to review your resume. Most job applicants are guilty of some common resume mistakes, and thankfully they can be easily avoided with a little more awareness.

What are the top common resume mistakes? In this article we’ll discuss some of the most frequent resume mistakes you can make. We’ll learn how to avoid these blunders, to help you perfect your resume and land the job of your dreams.

If you’re wondering why your resume is getting rejected, it might be down to appearances. Although it might not seem as important as content, the design and format of your resume can make or break your application. An unattractive resume could look unprofessional, be harder to read, or be less engaging to the hiring manager.

Here are some resume mistakes to avoid when it comes to formatting:

To avoid some of these common resume mistakes, do some research on resume trends in font and design. Professional fonts like Calibri, Verdana, Times, or Arial are always acceptable, and it’s best to avoid too many colors. One-inch margins are standard for resume writing, although it depends on the template you use for formatting. Make sure your resume is consistent in terms of bullets, numbers, bold and italics – pick one style and stick to it. Finally, always proofread your resume for grammar or spelling, or have a friend check it for you, to catch any resume mistakes.

A one-size-fits-all resume might be easier for you to write, but it’s a common resume mistake to make just one and use it for every job application. Such a generic approach can result in your resume being less relevant to the specific job posting, making it less ATS-friendly. Every job posting will have keywords that are pivotal to the role. ATS scans your resume for the predetermined keywords, to help organisations sort through and organize applicants faster. Consequently, it’s very important to tailor your resume to each job you apply to, by incorporating keywords from the posting into your writing. 

Neglecting this step might cause you to be overlooked by the hiring manager, regardless of how well-suited you are for the job. If you’ve been frustrated and wondering, ‘what is wrong with my resume?’ this could be it. 

While you don’t need to create a new resume from scratch for each application, leaving space to tailor your resume to the job posting is important. In your job experience section, edit the description of your past responsibilities to incorporate relevant keywords. In the profile or objective section, make sure you highlight skills using important phrases from the job description. 

All in all, tailoring your resume using the job posting’s keywords will help your resume get past ATS and stand out to the hiring manager. Using a general, untailored resume is a mistake to avoid.

Another top resume mistake is a poorly written objective statement. This portion of your resume tells the hiring manager your goal in applying for this role, as well as your future career goals. It can act as a short profile of yourself, focusing on your unique skills and experience in addition to what you want from the job. It’s a common resume mistake to have an objective statement that is too broad, too long, or too vague. 

Why is it a poorly written objective statement?

This statement is too vague and reveals nothing about the applicant’s unique skills and professional history.

Why is it a well written objective statement?

This objective provides insight into the applicant’s experience and skills, highlighting what they bring to the role in addition to what they want out of it.

One of the most common resume mistakes is the use of buzzwords. These are trendy but unprofessional action words that can have a negative impact on your application. There are different types of buzzwords that can be a mistake on a resume. 

• Subjective words such as ‘creative’, ‘hard-working’, and ‘motivated’ aren’t specific enough.
• Overused buzzwords such as ‘team-player’, or ‘results-driven’, are so common on resumes that they have now lost all meaning. 

The other problem with buzzwords is that they can exaggerate your ability or your qualities. It’s important to choose a word that best represents you. Opting for specific, targeted terms that align with both your profile and the job posting is more effective than relying on overused, vague buzzwords.

It’s important to acknowledge that certain buzzwords may be unavoidable and not necessarily considered resume mistakes. Instead of completely avoiding them, incorporate them sparingly and always make sure that the words you use are backed up with supporting evidence. 

Another top resume mistake is to include details that are irrelevant or redundant. This demonstrates a lack of attention to detail and is immediately noticeable by hiring managers. 

Here are some examples of irrelevant or redundant information you should leave out to avoid a big resume mistake. 

To avoid these resume mistakes, remember to proofread your resume to ensure it's as concise as possible. Remove any redundancies and keep your writing short and focused. Lastly, don’t forget to highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. 

Fresh graduates may struggle to list relevant professional experience on their resume, but someone with more than 3 years of working experience should be able to demonstrate some growth. This doesn’t need to be vertical growth such as a promotion which is something you don’t have much control over. Nonetheless, your career should grow and change over time as you do. The absence of a clear demonstration of career progression is another prevalent resume mistake.

You can demonstrate career growth on a resume by highlighting the evolving nature of your responsibilities and achievements. List any skills training or certifications you’ve accomplished to show your commitment to professional development. There are many different types of career growth, and everyone’s progress will be unique. If you’re struggling to convey growth on your resume, consider making a career development plan to see what changes you can implement. And don’t forget to highlight professional development on your resume, to avoid this common resume mistake. 

One of the biggest resume mistakes of all time is using an unprofessional email address. No hiring manager will consider sending an interview invitation to an email address like  [email protected]. Using the same email address from your teenage years or school-issued email addresses is not recommended. 

To avoid this resume mistake, it's best practice to set up a short and mature email address that includes your name and as few other characters as possible. 

Resume mistakes are common problems with easy solutions. What are the top common resume mistakes? Problems such as inadequate formatting, reliance on buzzwords, weak objectives, absence of tailoring, and inclusion of irrelevant details are just a few examples. It’s important to review and update your resume often for the best results, allowing you to align with evolving trends and customize your document with relevant keywords. Seeking feedback from friends and hiring managers is equally important to steer clear of resume mistakes in the future. For additional career and resume advice, follow CakeResume.

— Originally Written by Tiffany Quinn —