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5 Things That Can Sink a Resume |
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1. Looks Matter 2. Errors
Proof your resume. Please. Not with the machine, but with a pair of human eyes. Spelling and/or grammatical errors make it easy for the hiring manager to edit a stack of submissions down to a more manageable size. If you can’t submit an error-free document, don’t expect anyone to take your candidacy seriously. 3. Yawn….
Give the hiring manager a reason to keep reading! Your resume is a product brochure. It should showcase the product and leave the reader wanting to know more – not put him to sleep. If you don’t look interesting on paper you’re not going to get the opportunity to make your case in person. 4. Using a Format Hiring Managers Dislike
Anything that slows the reader down is a negative. He’s going to spend only a matter of seconds perusing your resume on the first pass. A functional format is more difficult to comprehend quickly than a chronological format – hands down. By its nature, it obscures your work history (employers, job titles and dates are more difficult to find because you’re emphasizing your skill set). Don’t expect the hiring manager to go on a hunting expedition trying to sort out your background. He won’t. 5. Failing to Validate Your Candidacy
Too many resumes are long on platitudes and fluff and sorely lacking when it comes to quantifiable information. The best way to show a prospective employer that you’re a valuable contributor is to illustrate it via measureable results. Don’t just say you’re great…show them. Another big mistake is failing to demonstrate uniqueness. How are you different from the scores – or hundreds – of other candidates whose backgrounds (on the surface) might look very similar to yours? If you don’t know – or if you can’t articulate it – don’t expect the person reading your resume to fill in the blanks for you.
Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.
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Is your resume delivering results? It you unemployment dragging on? Has there been a deafening silence in response to your submissions? If you’re not getting the outcome you want, it might be time for a review to see if you’re making any of the 5 critical mistakes. If you are unemployed and searching these 5 critical mistakes can make the difference between ending your unemployment and extending you unemployment.
