In today's digital age, resumes are usually submitted without face-to-face interaction. Without the chance to hand-deliver a physical copy to a potential employer, you must submit an online resume that effectively represents you by written word alone. Explore the following tips to steer clear of common resume mistakes, empowering you to submit yours confidently!
1. Provide up-to-date and professional contact information.
When updating your resume, ensure your contact details are not outdated. Provide a professional email address that reflects your identity as a job candidate, and monitor it regularly for employer communications. Avoid email addresses that might confuse the employer or make you appear unprofessional. Additionally, include the best phone number for employers to reach you at. Make sure that your voicemail inbox is not full, as this is a big complaint from employers when trying to contact job applicants!
2. Provide an effective summary statement.
This statement is often found at the top of a resume and gives a brief overview of your professional experience, strengths, and skills. Highlight how each of these can benefit the company you're interested in, and explain why you believe you're the perfect match for the role. Similar to a cover letter, make sure to tailor your summary statement to each specific job opportunity and organization. Avoid mentioning salary expectations.
3. Focus on relevant background experience.
When making a career or job transition, ensure that your description of previous position experience(s) aligns with the new role you are pursuing. Some career field changes can be quite drastic, making it challenging to find common ground. If the daily responsibilities don't match up, focus on highlighting professional skills and valuable lessons learned that will facilitate a smooth transition into your new career path. Avoid overcrowding your resume with excessive soft skills to maintain a clear and concise presentation.
4. Cater your resume to the job.
Maintaining a template resume is a smart strategy, allowing you to tailor each copy to the specific job you're pursuing. Incorporate keywords from the job description to demonstrate your preparedness and alignment with the employer's expectations. This approach not only enhances your chances of getting past applicant tracking systems (ATS), but also increases the likelihood of reaching a human reviewer. If the job description lacks detail, conduct online research to identify the essential skills and responsibilities sought in professionals within that industry.
For more information on optimizing your resume for ATS, check out this blog.
5. Focus on work achievements, not just job responsibilities.
Avoid generic explanations of previous job responsibilities. Using customer service as an example, an oversimplification might be “Help customers solve problems.” This description lacks the depth needed to showcase the significant impact you made in your previous position. Consider reframing with quantifiable data (if applicable). For instance, "Increased customer satisfaction survey engagement by 15%, resulting in highest participation since 2019." Employers prioritize your accomplishments over routine tasks, as they showcase your positive impact.
6. Utilize a minimalist design.
Focus on highlighting your skills and qualifications while steering clear of extravagant fonts and colors. Maintain a clean and simple resume layout with consistent font and spacing for a more professional appearance. By avoiding visuals and complex templates, you also reduce the risk of your resume being rejected by applicant tracking systems. A typical resume should include the following:
- Summary statement
- Professional skills
- Past work experience
- Education, certificates, or courses completed
- Volunteer activities (if needed)
7. Double check spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Take advantage of the abundance of digital spellcheck tools available to you, allowing you to focus on your message rather than perfecting every word. Take a moment to review your writing and address any error underlines that pop up in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. For an extra layer of support, consider utilizing writing assistance tools like Grammarly. Remember, while AI can be helpful, avoid letting it take over your resume writing entirely as it may not accurately represent your skills and qualifications.
8. Keep your resume to about one page.
If your experience is under 10 years, aim to condense your resume to one page. An excessively long resume can deter employers, particularly if it contains irrelevant "fluff" that doesn't emphasize your key qualifications. If your lacking content, reflect on any volunteer work or extracurricular activities that could be added to your resume and become valuable discussion points in an interview. Include experiences that have positively impacted your professional growth.
9. Be honest with your qualifications.
Refrain from underselling your skills or exaggerating your level of experience. Avoid using terms like "master" and "expert" unless you genuinely believe your skills can meet those performance expectations.
10. Keep your list of references separate from your resume.
If not specifically asked for, refrain from including a list of references with your resume. This unnecessary addition can clutter your resume and may be requested as a separate document at a later time.
Conclusion
Submitting your resume can feel intimidating at first. But the more you refine and tailor each copy for an employer, the more confident you'll become. Keep in mind that your resume is your chance to showcase why you're the perfect fit for the job. By following these tips, you'll be on the right track to achieving success!