How to fix common resume mistakes you may have committed

Did you know that an employer receives as many as 250 job applications for a single job opening? That means, whenever you apply for a job, you are competing with 249 equally talented and qualified candidates. Your resume and cover letter need to be nothing short of perfect for you to get noticed by employers among the masses.

Are you writing a resume right now? One way to know if you have done everything right is to use Resume Mansion’s resume critique checklist to do a resume review. But why waste time when you are on a job hunt? Simply submit your resume to Resume Mansion and have our expert resume writers do a resume critique for you.

Mistake #1: Typos

Why send a resume with multiple typing errors and spelling mistakes to a potential employer when you can create an impeccable job application? Employers believe that mistakes on your resume are signs of carelessness and lack of attention to detail. Don’t lose a good opportunity just because you forgot to proofread. Proofread your resume several times and correct mistakes. Use digital tools such as Grammarly and QuillBot to help you.

Mistake #2: Irrelevant information

Avoid mentioning irrelevant personal information on your resume. This is a mistake commonly made by international job seekers. In Asian countries, the tradition is to mention personal details on a resume. However, in the United States, we do not mention any personal information on our resumes. Things to exclude from your resume are your full mailing address, work email, religion, marital status, and political inclinations.

Mistake #3: Outdated jobs

Don’t mention your earlier work experience on your resume as it might get you discriminated against for age. Mention only the last 10-15 years of experience on your resume. Also, avoid mentioning irrelevant jobs to the position you are applying for. If you must mention older roles, create a separate “Early Experience” section for your resume and mention them there. However, omit all the dates older than 10-15 years from your resume.

Mistake #4: Objective statement

Your resume does not need an objective statement because the objective of your resume is to get the job. Instead, create a strong resume summary statement. A resume summary statement adds value to your resume by highlighting your best skills and qualifications. It also allows you to stand out from the other candidates. Also, consider adding a catchy resume headline that captures your spirit.

Mistake #5: Pronouns

Did you know that resumes that mention pronouns are more likely to get rejected by employers? Pronouns are redundant on a resume. Bullet points that start with pronouns are less likely to impress recruiters. Instead, start your bullet points with action verbs to give your resume a wow factor. Remove pronouns from your resume entirely and structure your sentences differently so they do not need pronouns.

Mistake #6: Inconsistent information

Employers are generally skeptical of job seekers who list inconsistent information on their resumes. If you have mismatched dates or unclear resume elements, your resume has less chance of impressing recruiters. Also, missing employment dates is seen as a huge resume red flag. Ensure that the information you have listed on your resume aligns with your online presence. Always mention accurate information on your resume. Remove any inconsistencies that you find.