Your resume is the heartbeat of
your job search. If done well, it will be able to sell you to employers, but if
not, it can also be the reason for your failure. And no matter how advanced the
technology at present is, resumes remain an integral aspect of the hiring
process. Thus, you have to take your resume seriously to increase your chances
of landing your desired job.
Take note that a
less-than-amazing resume is likely to work against you. So, to prevent that
from happening, keep in mind the following resume mistakes to make sure they
won't get in the way of your job search success.
Grammatical Errors and Typos
When writing your resume, you
can't be sloppy. In this day and age, making a number of grammatical errors and
typos is just unacceptable. Beware of common errors, such as wrong use of
words, misspelled words, and excessive use of punctuation. Take note that you
shouldn't depend only on your computer's spell checker. You need to proofread
your work so you can find the errors and edit them.
Incorrect Information
Naturally, putting incorrect
information on your resume will get it tossed to the trash bin. Even if you
reach the interview stage, it's still very likely that the wrong information on
your resume will be revealed. For instance, an incorrect job title is easy to
verify, or a wrong contact number can be called easily. Make sure you include
only the right details in your resume.
Generic Resume
One of the most common mistakes
made by job seekers is using a one-size-fits-all resume. You have to understand
that no two jobs are the same, so your resumes shouldn't be the same either.
Instead of using a generic resume for all your job applications, take time to
tailor your resume to match the job description. You must have a clear
understanding of what an employer is searching for before you create your
resume.
Elaborate Style and Formatting
It's important that you format
your resume to make it look professional, but you have to be careful not to do
it excessively. Avoid using exaggerated fonts, graphs, and styles that will be
a distraction for the reader. If you are to use bullets, see to it that they
are the same shape and size in every section, and keep them aligned from page
to page.
Too Many Words on a Page
When it comes to the right
resume length, experts say it should be from 1 to 2 pages only. Avoid squeezing
too much information on a single page so that it will be easier for the reader
to read the content. In general, a good resume for a successful job search Canada should answer the
requirements of the job and also include the most relevant employment history.
