Are you making these resume mistakes?


A lot of effort and consideration goes into writing the perfect resume. You must do your share of research to find the best resume format for you. You also need to invest time to research the employer, in order to create a job application that stands out from the crowd. Resume mistakes might be the only thing standing between you and the job of your dreams. Today, we will discuss five common resume mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Inappropriate file name

Are you one of those people who name every one of their files “fwpiejfqowi”? The file name you have used for your resume may seem like a minor detail. However, it can have a significant impact on your chances of getting hired. Always use an appropriate file name for your resume. We often advise our clients to name their resumes mentioning their name, surname, and file type. Ex: John_Smith_Resume.pdf.

Long bullet points

The whole purpose of writing bullet points for your resume is to improve the readability of the document. Longer bullet points will make your resume appear bulky and text-dense. Also, hiring managers will have a hard time spotting important achievements and results on your resume if your bullet points are too long. Instead, write concise bullet points to describe your accomplishments.

Unprofessional photograph

We advise a majority of job seekers to remove the photograph from their resumes because photographs may cause hiring professionals to form an unconscious/conscious bias based on the appearance of the candidate. However, if you are applying for a role in dancing, acting, modeling, and other performance arts, a photograph is mandatory for your resume. In such cases, choose a professional photograph for your resume. If you are having doubts about your snapshot, here’s an article that discusses adding a photograph to your resume.

Excessive length

Does your resume span five pages? It is totally normal to have a long resume when you work in academia. Students who are applying for grants and research are generally expected to have longer resumes that list their multiple education qualifications and publications. If you do not belong to this demographic, your resume must be as concise as possible. Many job seekers have one-page or two-page resumes that describe all the relevant qualifications. One way you can make your resume short is by removing long paragraphs in favor of shorter bullet points.

Unprofessional fonts

Fancy fonts are ideal when you are creating a birthday card for your coworker, not a resume. Your resume must have a clean and modern look. Fonts play a huge role in increasing the visual appeal of your resume. Always choose one or two professional fonts for your resume instead of using fancy fonts. One of the major reasons resumes get rejected is due to the use of inappropriate fonts.

Confusing resume format

Your resume must be easy to navigate and even easier to read. No hiring manager will ever go out of their way and invest extra effort into reading your resume. This is why you should make your resume easily scannable. Use bigger font sizes and bold text for resume section headings to differentiate them. Leave ample space between resume sections and use white space to make your resume easy on the eyes. A bit of neutral color too will help make your resume more appealing.

By Resume Mansion



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