When applying for a job, you’ve got to do things almost
perfectly to at least guarantee an opportunity for a job interview, and it all
starts with a good resume. Your resume says everything about you – your
background, your skills, your expertise, and even your personality. This is the
primary basis of hiring managers when deciding who should and should not be
called for an interview.
To make sure your resume does not make you look
unprofessional, avoid these things:
1. Cute or random email accounts.
Signing up for an email account is free, so there is no
reason why you should not have your own. And when creating your email account,
avoid using cutesy, flirtatious, offensive or sexual email addresses. Ideally,
your address should contain your complete name so that employers will have an
easier time distinguishing your emails.
2. Misspellings and typos.
When you fail to proofread your resume, you are
automatically setting yourself up for failure. Make sure you double check your
resume for spellings, dates, and grammar. You should also not overlap time
lines so that your story will not be confusing.
3. Sexy and very casual photos.
Resume experts actually recommend not attaching any image
files or photos to a resume. Firstly, companies today are trying to stay away
from prejudging applicants based on their looks, age or gender. Also, employers
will always find a way in case they want to see how you look, so there is no
need for you to attach any image of yourself in your resume.
4. Using the word ‘etc.’
According to resume experts, the use of the word ‘etc.’ on a
resume signals laziness. For employers, this means that the job applicant is
too lazy to simply list or write down whatever it is that should be on the
list. Another thing to avoid is using the phrase ‘same as above’. Your resume
is a reflection of who you are, so you should at least spend time and effort
writing it.
5. Generic format.
If you are applying to different companies for similar
positions, it can be tempting to use a generic resume so you can save time and
effort. But you have to know that hiring managers are not inexperienced not to
notice it. Generic resumes are often the first ones to go to trash, so if you
want yours to go to the next level, make sure that you customize your resume to
fit the position you are applying for.
Conclusion
Whether you are doing a job search Canada or just planning looking for a local job, your resume is an
important tool that can either make or break your chances of getting the job
you want. Therefore, you should take it seriously and be committed to writing a
professional resume.