There’s no shortage of opinions on the matter, and no two top-5 or top-10 lists of favorites issued by recruitment firms and HR-affiliated personnel are alike. So here’s a short list of some of our favorite resume blunders that your prospective hires should avoid, along with some official sources we consulted:
- Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Lies – from little white ones to exaggerated GPAs to dates of employment – are all too easily exposed with the click of a mouse. It’s not worth blowing your chance at your dream job or even a nightmare one by stretching the truth.
- Spare me the details. Especially if they’re not relevant to the job you’re pitching. Hiring Managers don’t particularly care that you enjoy underwater basket-weaving unless that’s the job you’re applying for. It’s OK to list a couple of personal interests, but not your age, marital status, or dates of graduation if they’re more than 10 or 15 years old – or even that you have references available upon request. No one cares, and they won’t help you.
- Yes, you need a cover letter. Sending a resume without one – even (or especially) to an HM you’ve been recommended to personally – is a sure guarantee your paperwork will be recycled. Your cover letter is your opportunity to market yourself and your services, and expand (concisely) on what you can bring to the table. And, while you’re at it, fill out the online application; yes, all of it.
- No typos or grammatical errors. EVER. With dictionaries, spell check, Wikipedia, even Encyclopedia Britannica easily accessible online, there’s less than no excuse for a letter-perfect resume. Better yet, ask someone who already has his or her dream job to proofread it for you.
- Show me the money. Or at least how you earned it. Provide concrete examples of your accomplishments, with revenue you helped generate, if possible. General descriptions like “responsibilities included” will give your HM that afternoon nap she’s been looking forward to. You need to show her how you’ll help her grow the business.
Here are some links to check out for additional lists of top resume blunders: