Everyone knows that if you’re looking for a new career, you need to put together your resume. Too often, it is not handled in the most effective/impactful way. The first impression a recruiter or hiring manager gets of you is through your resume, and there are some common mistakes that could cause your resume to end up in the “do not call” pile. Here’s a list of the biggest mistakes: don’t leave employment gaps, don’t skip dates of employment, don’t list two jobs that are happening at the same time, don’t be longer than 2 pages, and don’t write your resume like a job description.
Nothing leaves more room for an employer’s imagination than leaving blank spaces on your resume. If for any reason you were unemployed for a significant amount of time (6 months or more), you need to address it. If he doesn’t, the hiring manager may make unflattering assumptions, such as that he left his job for no good reason and was sitting in front of the TV during that period of time. If he was downgraded, put the date he left and some bullet points about what he’s been up to since. If possible, try to fill the gaps with business/sales consulting. Please list things/take steps to show you want to return to work. Here’s a good example:
May 2015 to present
• Part of the business staff reduction
• Part-time counseling while looking for full-time employment
Another mistake people make is not putting dates of employment on the resume. Employers want to see a clear, concise and consistent employment record. This starts from your first job out of college, even if it’s not related to the industry you’re in. They also want to see longevity at their positions. No employer wants to hire someone who jumps from job to job; they’ll be worried you’ll do the same to them, whether you did it on purpose or they cut you down. If there are no employment dates, employers will assume you are a job jumper.
If you have dates that overlap, showing you have/did 2 jobs at the same time, that’s a big no-no, unless they were 2 part-time jobs, in which case you should list them as such. Employers want employees to focus on the job for which they were hired and be fully engaged. If you were working in two positions at once, the hiring manager may think you lack commitment.
Another common mistake people make when writing a resume is making it too long. Never have a resume longer than 2 pages. There’s a very simple reason: Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time to read long resumes with too much information. Get to the point and use bullet points to highlight your experience and accomplishments. Presented correctly, a hiring manager can take a look at your resume, see your wealth of experience, and make a quick decision to schedule you for an interview.
One more final “no” is to not cut and paste job descriptions, or make it read like a list of obvious responsibilities, to your job overview. Take the time to add bullet points that are very specific to your experience in the role. A hiring manager looking for a sales representative knows what a sales representative is. They want to know what sets you apart.
If you’re changing careers, there are plenty of articles written on how to write a good resume, but if you follow our advice on what not to do, you’ll be on your way to a great resume.