Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

For all employers resumes are a vital part of the hiring process. Your resume is an important way to introduce yourself to a potential employer. This allows corporations to review credentials and background experience of candidates, then narrow down their interview pool and make the most of the limited time they have to hire the best candidate for the job.

Here are common mistakes that you must avoid:

·      If you have less than 10 years experience, your resume should be no longer than one page. 

·      Utilize bullet points in the Experience section of your resume.  Employers do not like reading through paragraphs in order to deduce your skills.  Bullet points allow them to browse information quickly.

·      The bullet points on your resume should also follow a certain format.  They should not be more than one line long; also, each bullet should begin with a verb that goes on to explain your activities and responsibilities.  You should have only 4-5 bullet points for each position, unless you have only one or two jobs in your work history, at which point you may be able to include more bullets.  Remember not to exceed one page. 

·      Positions in the past should be in the past tense.  Your current position should be in the present tense.

·      If you are not sure what you are looking for, do not include an Objective or a Summary at the top of the resume. 

·      Do not include a statement at the bottom of the resume that references can be provided upon request. 

·      If you include Coursework in your Education section, do not list more than 4 or 5 courses.

By Jessica Sanders