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8 BASIC RESUME WRITING MISTAKES AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM
8 BASIC RESUME WRITING MISTAKES AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM

June 18, 2021

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Unless you are a newcomer into the professional world, you will know how pivotal a good resume is to your growth. It opens several opportunities for you along the way and serves as the first interaction (albeit vicarious) that employers have with you. No wonder business gurus and seasoned professionals keep telling youngsters to craft skilled resumes. However, beginners (and even several veterans) are not acquainted with the common mistakes that the bulk of resumes in the world have. Today, we, at PERSOLKELLY, will look at some of the common mistakes found in resumes and how one can correct them.  

 

Grammatical errors

 

Nothing spells unprofessionalism quite like a resume mired with typos. It signals to employers that you lack a penchant for detail. It also implies that you did not make the effort of editing your resume before submitting your application. On the contrary, a crisp and grammatically sound resume is a breeze to go through. It ensures that your application is not flagged down for red flags from the get-go. That is why it is worth proofreading your resume multiple times before sending it forward. If you feel like your hold on grammar is not there yet, take the help of a trusted friend. You can also use online tools like Grammarly to rid your resume of obvious errors.  

 

Standard resume for all opportunities 

 

Several candidates adopt a one-size-fits-all approach when hunting for new jobs. They forward a standalone resume to every job they apply for. As a result, their applications become generic, rendering them indistinguishable from other candidates. On the contrary, people who take the time to customize resumes per the job they are applying for exude personality and uniqueness. They embellish their resumes with unique elements that instantly set them apart from the crowd. So, we strongly encourage you to send out tailored resumes when applying for new jobs. At the very least, have more than one resume in your arsenal, and customize as required.  

 

Badly highlighted accomplishments 

 

Knowing how to highlight your best accomplishments in a resume is an underrated skill. Countless applicants use boilerplate language and fail to convey the weight that their accomplishments carry. They write phrases like “helped skyrocket department sales” but fail to back their statements with tangible data. Moreover, many people use formatting tools incorrectly. When done right, bold, and italic typefaces can emphasize meaningful details in a visually pleasing manner. So, use numbers wherever you can and leverage the power of formatting tools.  

 

Being too creative 

 

A resume is a standardized document. Though some liberties are permitted, it is supposed to fit a Mould and look a certain way. So, avoid going overboard with artistic elements. Using neat templates with legible fonts is okay, but hyper-detailed visualizations are not. But do not let that dishearten you. Your aesthetic prowess does have its place in the business world. It is just not on job applications. Instead, harness the power that words have, and refine the content you write. After all, no one will reject you for not having pie-charts in your resume. If you are the right fit for the job, and your resume conveys the same, you are good to go.  

 

Contact info 

 

A resume is an extremely professional document. It has clearly defined rules for what is permissible and what is not. So, take a moment to think about the impact that silly contact info can have on your employability. Imagine a high-level executive in top-notch corporate attire looking at your resume, and coming across a wacky email address like ‘dungeonmaster99’. Nine times out of ten, your resume will make it straight to the trash can. In short, the lesson here is to ensure that your contact info is as professional as the rest of your resume.  

 

Providing non-related information  

 

At the end of the day, a resume is a one-page summary of your professional capabilities. So, treat it like a highlight reel, and not a documentary. Do not try to fit in every single detail of your professional life in there. Cover the basics, and then use the space at your disposal to jot down relevant information. For instance, you do not have to write about all the accolades you won when you were in school. For most people, such accolades do not enrich the narrative that they are trying to tell. Instead, keep your eye on the ball when writing your resume. Talk mostly about things that emphasize your compatibility with the positions you apply for.  

 

Business jargon or buzzwords 

 

The worst resumes are ones that are exceedingly verbose yet lack substance. They are filled with jargon and buzzwords but communicate little about the individual behind the resume. On the flip side, good resumes are concise and to the point. They are never longer than one page and are made of easy-to-understand sentences. We are not saying that you need to dumb down your accomplishments. Be detail-oriented where it is necessary, but do not let the language you use be a crutch. Simply put, write your resumes in a way that prioritizes clear communication more than anything else.  

 

Using a non-updated resume 

 

Your resume needs to reflect the progress you make in the real world. So, make it a habit to update it regularly. Doing will not only save you the frustration of making too many changes at once but will also give you the chance to reflect upon your achievements. 

 

Conclusion 

 

From a distance, writing a great resume seems like a walk in the park. But you realize how complex it is when you engage with the task.  

 

So, we hope that the tips detailed above make the process easier, and draw you closer to your dream resume. From thereon, your dream job will not be far either.  

 

This was originally published on PERSOLKELLY India blog here 


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