When it comes to constructing a simple, appealing, and effective resume, immense care should be taken during the writing process. Often too many times, job candidates create basic job resume mistakes that end up costing them a job interview. The greatness of a resume exists in its ability to successfully beat an applicant tracking system and intrigue a hiring manager. Here at Simple Resume, we will explain 5 basic job resume mistakes you should never make on a simple resume.
#1: Grammatical Errors
One of the most basic job resume mistakes and also the most common is making grammatical errors. This is by far the most obvious mistake you can make in writing a resume. The last thing you want is hiring managers thinking you are incompetent and unqualified for the role, and there’s no better way to do this than spelling things wrong on a resume. It also shows that you do not take the time to check your work, an area that is critical in most fields. Proofread your resume a countless number of times to make sure you never make this simple resume mistake.
#2: Duties > Accomplishments
A simple resume mistake that we see often is the utilization of responsibilities to fill out the content of the resume. Hiring managers are more concerned with what you can help their organization achieve and are looking for people who can add a track record of success. There is no need to include job responsibilities as they are easily searchable on Google. Never make this mistake on your simple resume.
#3: Too Much Information
In an effort to remain relevant and only include pertinent information, you must be strategic about yourself and your background. Capitalize on the aspects of your career history that bring value to the role and organization you are applying to.
#4: Improper Formatting
A common mistake made on resumes is improper formatting. Some of the common instances in improper resume formatting include failing to include bullet points, improper alignment of your resume text, using less than one-inch margins when it is not necessary, failing to bold your resume sections and job titles. Never make this mistake on your simple resume as it will guarantee a no-call for an interview.
#5: Using A Template
Not only does using a resume template show that you have a lack of professionalism and creativity; It also shows you didn’t take the time to make sure it was optimized. Software programs such as Microsoft Word have resume templates for consumers to use to tailor to their specific resume needs. This is detrimental to your resume and should be avoided at all costs. Your simple resume must successfully pass through an applicant tracking system before being seen by a human.