Using Jargon And Typing Out Long Resumes
It’s a good idea to be brief and clear when it comes to describing your skills. Avoid jargon and pay attention to the length of your resume. Anything more than 3 or 4 pages can mean that you find it difficult to stay focused and are not efficient in your work.
Jacquelyn Smith said in a recent article:
“Résumé jargon such as “out-of-the-box,” “team player,” and “exceptional communicator” are “baseline expectations in today’s market,” Nicolai says. “A person who truly is a ‘unique problem solver who works well in teams’ will convey this succinctly and creatively on their résumé through a combination of few words and imagery.”
Including Irrelevant Information
Another common mistake made by candidates is to include irrelevant information. When you have over 5 years of experience in the industry, it does not make sense to include your achievements in school. Instead, it’s a good idea to describe the challenges and key projects that you worked on in your work experience.
Include necessary information and summarize wherever possible. Highlight key projects that you played a major role in. Give examples where relevant. This is more likely to catch the attention of the recruiter.
Formatting Errors
You need to format your resume in such a way that it’s consistent throughout. Stick to a single bullet style throughout the resume. Don’t experiment with fonts, font sizes and formatting styles. Make sure that your resume is viewer-friendly. Don’t go overboard with descriptions and work summaries. Check if the content is aligned well.
Julie Peterson said in a recent article:
“Pay attention to the details. If you use a period at the end of a bullet point segment, be sure to use one every time. You want to be sure your formatting is consistent throughout the resume or it will seem unprofessional and unpolished. Information like dates, employment positions and education should be listed the same way throughout the writing as well. Stick with whatever rules you put in place, and double-check during the proofreading process.”
Don’t hesitate to get your resume proof-read by a friend or a senior colleague. This will help you polish up your resume and be ready for interviewers who will scrutinize your every move.