Job interviews can be nerve-wracking for applicants. With so much on the line, it’s easy to make key mistakes before even walking into the interview. Here are some resume mistakes that many people often make and how you can avoid them to increase your chances of being offered an interview.

Resume mistakes you should look out for

1. Typos on the resume

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make while writing your resume is to include a typo. Take the time to proofread and double-check that you have no mistakes before you submit your resume. Many people do not take the time to thoroughly proofread their resumes and this leaves them open for criticism. Don’t make the mistake of doing this!

2. Not standardizing formatting

Resumes are meant to be easy on the eyes; they should not be difficult to read because of odd formatting. Use standard fonts, colors, and margins throughout your resume so that it is easy for employers to read and doesn’t distract from what you have written about yourself.

3. Copying and pasting job descriptions from other companies, not understanding the needs of the new company

Some people believe that their experience will translate directly to a new job. This is more likely not the case. A good way to preserve your sellable skills and get better paid is to focus on the needs of your potential new employer. The best professionals are those who can adapt their skills to what their employer needs.

4. Failure to mention education that is relevant for this type of job

Did you do a degree that isn’t relevant for the job you are applying for? Make sure you include your degree or skill in the resume. If the job requires a college degree, include your degree and any other experience that you could bring to the table.

5. Failure to highlight accomplishments (in which you have demonstrated skills)

Highlight your achievements such as awards in sports, leadership positions, etc. It will show that you are a hard worker and that it isn’t your first time at bat when it comes to applying for jobs. A strong focus on your skills can give employers confidence that they are hiring someone with potential for success.

6. Failure to properly describe yourself

Writing about yourself in your resume without explaining what makes you unique and why employers should hire you is extremely frustrating for a potential employer. Make sure that you can explain your skills, experience, and education in a way that shows that it’s unique to you. If not, then make sure you highlight anything of interest about yourself and use numbers to help quantify your results.

7. Failure to spell-check or proofread your resume

Even though it may be tempting to submit your resume right after you created it because you spent a lot of time on it, ALWAYS spell check and read through your resume carefully before submitting it.

8. Failure to optimize resumes

Each time you apply for a job, your resume should be slightly different since the company will have different needs. When you apply for a job, pay attention to the skills and experience that they request and try to include those as much as possible. Also, make sure that you are applying to jobs in which you have the qualifications and skills needed. This can help increase your odds of landing an interview or even an offer from the company.

9. Failure to research

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not researching an employer before applying for its jobs. The employer’s website should provide all the information necessary about what they do, their mission, etc., but most people don’t take advantage of this information.

10. Failure to be concise

Employers don’t have time to read long-winded resumes. They want to know your information in a clear and precise way, so make sure that you don’t over-sentence or include irrelevant information. Employers and recruiters only look at resumes for 10 seconds (on average), so your resume must be relevant, clear, and concise.

11. (Bonus point) Weak cover letter

A cover letter should be a one-page document that should tell the employer more about yourself. The letter should include the reason you are applying for their job, how your skills and experience would help them, why you want to work in their company, etc. As a rule of thumb, keep the cover letter no longer than three paragraphs (three to four sentences each).

How can you avoid these common resume mistakes?

To avoid these common pitfalls, one of the best things you can do is to hire a professional resume writing service. These professionals know the best way to write effective resumes that get positive responses from employers.

1. Professional resume writers know the best formatting and style for resumes

There are many different formats and styles of resumes to choose from, but not all businesses require the same format. You must hand over your resume writing task to someone who understands what is appropriate for your industry because it will be able to show off your skills in the best possible way.

2. A professional resume writer knows how to market your skills

Many times, a job applicant doesn’t put enough effort into their resume, which can hurt them when they apply for jobs. If you hire a professional resume writer, they will be able to highlight your skills concisely so that potential employers are more impressed with what you have to offer.

3. Professional resume writers know how to write a resume for each job you apply for

Many people just copy and paste their resumes when applying for jobs. They do this because it takes a long time to write a new resume from scratch every time they apply for a job. However, this is the biggest mistake someone can make. Each job is different and requires different skills and experience; therefore, your resume should be different each time you apply for a job. If you have an appropriate resume, it will increase your chances of landing job interviews or receiving offers from employers.

Conclusion

The best professionals are those who can adapt their skills to what their employer needs. That is why it is important to include your education, experience, and skills in the resume so that employers know exactly what they are getting. Having a professional resume writing service that specializes in resumes for certain industries can help you secure interviews and earn a job offer. We hope that you enjoyed this post and hope that the advice we shared is beneficial and helps you when you begin writing your resume.