Job searching is stressful enough — don’t sabotage your chances before anyone even talks to you. A few minor tweaks to how you present yourself on paper can have a big impact. Think of your resume as an advertisement, not your autobiography! It needs to be sharp, focused, and free of red flags.
1. “Hard worker” and other empty, generic adjectives
Literally everyone claims to be a hard worker, dedicated, and a team player. Instead of telling, show through specific accomplishments. “Increased sales by 15%” is more powerful than “enthusiastic salesperson,” after all. Use action verbs, Indeed suggests, and quantify your results whenever possible.
2. “Responsible for…” followed by basic job duties
“Responsible for answering phones” tells me nothing. Were you super efficient, handling high volume with zero errors? Did you upsell clients? Focus on how you performed your duties exceptionally, not just listing the bare minimum.
3. Obsolete tech skills
Listing proficiency in Microsoft Word or “basic internet skills” is a waste of space. It’s assumed in 2024! Highlight relevant software, coding languages, etc., that are current and desirable in your particular industry. And if you don’t have any of those skills, now would be a good time to start learning.
4. Clichés like “go-getter,” synergy,” or “think outside the box”
These are so overused they make eyes glaze over. Hiring managers want concrete examples of how you embody those qualities. Instead of buzzwords, tell a brief story about overcoming a challenge, collaborating successfully, or solving a problem creatively.
5. Personal details irrelevant to the job
Your marital status, religion, hobbies (unless directly job-related), or photo aren’t needed. Keep it professional! This avoids even unconscious bias and shows you understand what info is relevant to the company’s needs.
6. Typos or grammatical errors
This screams “I don’t care enough to proofread!”. Sloppiness in your resume suggests sloppiness as an employee. Use spellcheck, then have a friend read it over – fresh eyes catch mistakes more effectively than your own.
7. Jargon from previous, drastically different jobs
If you’re making a career switch, don’t assume an HR person in a new field knows your old industry-specific lingo. Translate skills into transferable terms! Leadership, problem-solving skills, and adaptability work in any context.
8. Phrases that hint at being potentially difficult: “high expectations,” “perfectionist,” etc.
You might value these qualities in yourself, but they can raise red flags for an employer. Focus on positive, collaborative ways to phrase this: “detail-oriented”, “committed to excellence”, which still convey high standards without the potential diva or control-freak connotations.
9. “References available upon request”
This is outdated and takes up valuable space! They’ll assume you can provide references if they’re interested. Use that space for something more impactful about your skills or experience instead.
10. Listing skills you don’t actually possess
Don’t lie! Even a small exaggeration (claiming advanced Photoshop knowledge when you’re barely a novice) can backfire in an interview. Focus on your true strengths, and be honest about areas where you’re eager to learn.
11. Salary requirements (unless the job posting specifically requests them)
This brings up negotiation prematurely and might disqualify you too early. You want to get them excited by your qualifications first! Discuss salary expectations only after they’ve expressed genuine interest. This most commonly happens during the interview, Harvard Business Review notes, and it’s important to be frank so that you don’t waste your time or the employer’s.
12. Unexplained gaps in employment history
If you freelanced, traveled, or were a caregiver, state that briefly! Leaving it blank makes employers nervous. Own your path, even if it’s non-traditional. A sentence like “Took career break to care for aging parent, excited to re-enter the workforce” shows initiative and responsibility.
13. Long, dense blocks of text
Your resume should be skimmable. Use bullet points, clear headings, and white space to make it visually appealing and digestible. No one wants to slog through a wall of text to figure out if you’re qualified.
14. A “funny” or unprofessional email address
Something suggestive or profane might’ve been fine in high school, but it’s not doing you any favors job hunting. Create a simple “[yourname]@gmail.com” for professional correspondence.
15. Reasons why you left past jobs
Your resume is for highlighting positives, not airing grievances. Even if your boss was the worst, keep it off the page. Interviews are the space to discuss job changes (do so diplomatically!).
16. Exaggerating job titles or inflating responsibilities
Stretch the truth slightly, it gets caught during reference checks, damaging your credibility. Be accurate about your roles. Showcase your accomplishments within your true title, not by needing a fancier one.
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