Home
Career Advice Blog
Choosing a Career
Surviving Job Loss
Changing Careers
List of Careers
Freelance Work
Career Tests
How to Find a Job
Writing a Cover Letter
Build a Resume
Example Resumes
Job Interview
Networking
Working w/Recruiters
Job Search Engines
Job References
Salary Negotiation
Evaluating an Offer
How to Resign
About Us
Privacy Policy
Contact Us
Career Advice Forum
Advertising

XML RSSSubscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Making a Resume: Mistakes to Avoid When You Build a Resume

You’ve read how to build a resume. But when making a resume, be sure to avoid these mistakes as well. When resume writing, how you can mess up is as important to know as how you win. Avoid these mistakes when creating a resume:

resume and cover letter sample
  1. White lies (even little ones)
    It’s been said that you’re perfect twice in your life: When you’re born, and when you build a resume. Remember, that is just a joke, folks. Stretching the truth even a little can kill your career. Believe me, as a recruiter I have seen it happen more than once. It is highly likely that the truth will come out if you are not honest. And when that happens, you will be fired.
  2. Nebulous Results
    As you document your accomplishments, quantify everything. Ask yourself again and again: “So what?” If you cannot answer that in terms of ROI, specific dollars, hours saved or other specifics, then perhaps you should leave it out.
  3. A Generalized Approach

    Though it seems like a tremendous amount of work, your resume should be customized for every position you apply for in your job search. When you build a resume, translate your accomplishments into the specific industry terms using keywords that you get from the job description or other information you have on the company. This helps prospective employers who receive thousands of resumes to quickly find yours in their database.

  4. Your Current Job Description
    This might seem like the easy way out as you build a resume, but don’t fall prey. Your accomplishments mean more than responsibilities to a prospective employer--specifically, the accomplishments that relate to the job they’re offering. That said, you should use the job description you are applying to find keywords when making a resume. That approach helps you quickly match your accomplishments to exactly what they are looking for.
  5. Random Personal Information
    There is no need to include unrelated interests, hobbies, religious affiliation or family information when you build a resume. Leave it out. If you must include personal information, focus on interests and activities that show character traits that prospective employers will find valuable.

Remember, when you are writing your resume, create the best impression possible. Avoid these mistakes (and follow the career advice throughout this site!)

Good luck with your job search!

Looking for additional resources that will help you build a great resume? You may also like these articles:





Return from Making a Resume: Mistakes to Avoid to Build a Resume


footer for making a resume page