10 Things On Your Resume That Are Costing You Your Dream Job

Your resume is what gets you in the door to interview for your dream job. But what if your resume was actually closing and locking that door?

Many people make resume mistakes that cost them their careers. Here are ten things you need to fix before you apply for another job!

No Evidence

A hiring manager wants to know you’ll bring results to their company. Therefore, they want to see the results of your other accomplishments at previous jobs. It’s not enough to simply mention what a fantastic job you did. You’ll want to have actual numbers for things like increased sales that you were responsible for. When they see what you have done before, they’ll want to know what you’ll do next!

Poor Writing

We often get caught up in the major substance of what a resume is lacking. Sometimes, though, it is little issues like spelling and grammar that trip us up. All it takes is a typo or two for your awesome resume to go back in the pile. Be sure to extensively proofread the resume before applying (and don’t simply rely on spellchecking software).

Bad Keywords

Speaking of software, many companies now have apps that scan resumes before they ever see human eyes. These apps may filter out resumes that don’t have the correct keywords that a company is looking for. Our advice? Go to the original job posting as well as the company website and try to throw in a few of the same keywords. You’ll pass through the software screening and the hiring manager will be happy to see you already speak the language.

Worn-Out Phrases

Keywords are very important. However, something that is a major turn-off is using too many clichés and other worn out phrases. Buzzwords like “innovative” and “thought leader” are played out right now, and using them makes you sound like any other candidate. Don’t be afraid to bust out the thesaurus and find different words and phrases to use. If nothing else, this shows you are a more original thinker than many other applicants.

Lack of Contact Info

How many contact methods does your resume have? If you only have one or two methods, then you need to step up your game! We recommend including your phone number, e-mail address, and personal address. Web-savvy users may also include their online handle for accounts such as Twitter or Instagram. The easier it is to reach you, the more likely it is that someone will reach out. Just make sure everything on your social media looks professional!

No Objective

Some people don’t like to include an objective on their resume, but it’s actually highly valuable. It shows that you have greater plans and aspirations than simply finding gainful employment. Additionally, it lets the company consider you as a long-term investment: they may need you in other roles over the years, and these new roles may move you closer to your objective.

Stretched Truth

Sometimes, people get tempted to stretch the truth on their resume. Suddenly, a janitor job becomes “overnight sanitation specialist.” It’s important to stick to the truth with your resume. If a hiring manager thinks that you are stretching the truth regarding any of your previous jobs, they’ll instantly distrust the idea of hiring you. Conversely, being honest about the old job shows you will be honest at your new job!

Too Many Details

Most resumes are only 1 or 2 pages. The reason for this is simple: the hiring manager doesn’t want to spend too much time per resume when she has a large stack of applications. To keep things concise, make sure you don’t have too many details about what you did at each job. Focus on key responsibilities and quantifiable results for each entry.

Distracting Design

Filling out a resume can often make you feel like Goldilocks: you’re trying to get everything “just right.” Resumes that are too simple can seem boring, but you also need to watch out for resumes that look cluttered and distracted. If you have information that is too close together or too many graphical features (such as an unnecessary headshot of yourself), then it makes the hiring manager instantly reach for the next resume in their pile!

Too Much Template

Face it: not everyone is great with design, so many people use online templates to help craft their resume. This is fine when you’re starting out, but you’ll want to customize your resume to help it stand out from the pack. Even small details like a scan of your signature will make you seem like a unique job applicant. As a bonus, standing out from the templates means your resume is less likely to be filtered out by any software!