Resume Mishaps

At Career Professionals we spend a lot of time reviewing resumes. I, in particular, look at hundreds of resumes some days and at times I find myself questioning a job seeker I have never met by what their resume looks like or what it says. I know this may seem unfair. Seriously, though, job seekers need to review and review their resume some more ensuring it is the best initial reflection of who they are. This is a portrayal of the type of employee they are capable of being. Below are five resume mishaps I have seen quite often.

1. Misspellings or grammatical errors. They don't have spellcheck for nothing. Utilize this tool. Also, it doesn't hurt to have a friend edit your resume. Sometimes he or she will see things that you cannot see.

2. Format inconsistencies. Having a consistent format is critical on your resume. Using bullet points for one job's responsibilities and then using a paragraph format for another seems like you don't care about presentation or that you are not attentive to details. In addition, using the wrong tenses for past or present jobs is also an inconsistency to be aware of.

3. Missing information. Do not leave important information off of your resume. For example, do not forget to put dates on your resume. Be clear on what you did in a particular position. Remember you are selling yourself! This isn't a green light to add every single detail from all jobs since high school. Be informative. Be clear.

4. Fabrication and embellishments. Just remember that the truth always comes out sooner or later. For instance, do not say you have a degree when you don't. Lying on a resume could prevent you from receiving a job offer. Fabricating duties and responsibilities can be detrimental to you because more than likely you will be found out.

5. Unprofessional email addresses. Create an email address, if need be, that is professional and simple. It takes two minutes to create an email address and can communicate that you are serious about your job search.

We know that no one is perfect, but these are simple points to consider when compiling your resume.