The 5 Most Common Resume Mistakes

Writing a great resume can be a challenge. However, it's the first document you'll give an employer and often times, it is the deciding factor between being invited for an interview or being passed over completely. That's a lot of pressure to put on one document, but with a little work, your resume can be the tool that gets you in the front door and gives you the chance to show why you are the best candidate for the job.



To make the most of your resume, here are 5 common resume mistakes to avoid:



Focusing only on job duties - When you list your relevant work history, don't just offer a paragraph listing all of the things you did everyday at the job. For most jobs, the duties are common sense. Unless you think the job isn't self-explanatory, use the space to mention your accomplishments at the job and how you were a benefit to the company. Use action words and show the reader rather than just telling them.



Using an objective statement - Objective statements are worthless but people still keep using them. For any job opening, your objective should be to get the job. Anything else is just made up stuff that doesn't mean anything. Employers know this and that's why they don't care about your objective. Save your space for a personal summary that gives the reader a reason to continue reading your resume.



Saving your resume in an odd file type - If the hiring manager can't view your resume, there's no point in even sending one in. You can't know what sort of program the company uses to view documents and many of them will display odd file types without the proper formatting or won't be able to open them at all. The best formats to use for your resume are .Doc or .PDF.



Using an non-standard font - Again, you can't know what program the employer will be using to view your resume or if they use an applicant screening program to sort resumes before they actually look at them. When you use a non-standard font, they might not be able to even read the text or the tracking system might not be able to accurately screen it and your resume could end up getting deleted. Don't let this happen. The best font for digital resumes is Times New Roman. Almost any program will be able to view it and it has a nice, professional look and feel.



Using a functional resume when you have a good work history - There are two types of resumes, the functional and the traditional. A functional resume lists only relevant work experience and focuses more on one particular job opening. A traditional resume lists your job history in order. If you are applying for a job that is a change from your past work experience or you have worked in a variety of fields, the functional resume is a good way to go. However, if you have been working in the same industry for some time and have held various jobs as your career has progressed, use that to your advantage and go with a traditional resume. Employers like to see a progression in your career, so show them yours. While there is nothing wrong with using a functional resume when you need to, it might leave an employer with an impression that you are new to the field.



With a great resume, you'll have higher odds of getting asked to interview. From there, it's all up to you to sell yourself.