Biggest Resume Mistakes

No matter how qualified you are for a job, you can’t score a great job without the right resume. Your resume is often the first chance you have to make a great impression on a potential employer, which is why it is so important to craft your resume to showcase your experience, skills, and fitness for the job. If your resume is filled with the following mistakes, your job prospects could be doomed.

Bad Grammar and Spelling

In the age of online grammar checkers and spelling programs, there truly is no excuse for misspellings or typos. Whether you’re applying for an entry-level job or an executive position, good grammar is really important when it comes to showcasing your readiness and professionalism towards a job. Incorrect punctuation, formatting, spelling, and grammar mistakes could make you look like you didn’t put effort into your resume. Run your resume through spelling and grammar checkers, and have a friend give it a read-through to help ensure your success.

Incomplete, Irrelevant or Outdated Information

Accuracy matters in any employment situation. Make sure all dates, job experience, and references are updated with accurate and honest information. It is important to make sure that you include working phone numbers for your references and/or other valid methods of contact. You should also make sure that your resume is updated regularly, and only include work experience and training that is relevant to the specific job you are applying for.

Personal Information

It’s illegal for employers to ask personal questions about age or marital status. On the flip side, it’s also inappropriate for you to add such information to your resume.

Being Too Vague or Too Wordy

If your resume’s length is more than one page, chances are that it will end up in the wastebasket. It is important to be concise and to the point, while also including all the necessary information. You should clearly state qualifications and experience without adding too much additional information or details.

Using Inflated Language

Self-aggrandizement is another no-no. If you’ve accomplished something, state it plainly without hyperbole or exaggerating your achievements. Assume that all of your information will be checked.

Omitting Skill Sets and Keywords

Many managers will look for certain keywords or skill sets when looking through their applicant pool. Read the job description you are interested in clearly, and use words and phrases that highlight your suitability for that specific job.

The average hiring manager looks at a resume for approximately six seconds before deciding whether to pass or not. Check our other blogs to learn how we can help you make the cut.

41 Comments

  1. Henry Connor on January 17, 2018 at 4:14 pm

    I’m in the process of looking for a job and any help on my resume will be a great help.

    Thank You

  2. Mary Green Williams on May 29, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    I am not good using a phone for, looking for a job.

    • Julie Elser on June 18, 2018 at 5:40 pm

      I am definitely not good at answering the phone or looking for jobs on phone. I would rather be emailed if I qualify for a position & given a phone number to call the company back if they are interested in me.

      • White on July 17, 2018 at 7:15 am

        So are you looking to cleaning, business

  3. Billy Hill on May 29, 2018 at 7:36 pm

    I need help in making a good resume

    • Glory Nwabuoku on June 15, 2018 at 3:43 pm

      I need help in making good resume

    • Minesh patel on July 12, 2018 at 7:54 pm

      I need help in making a good resume

  4. Gilbert Deleon on May 29, 2018 at 11:39 pm

    In in the process of looking for work. And yes i need some help on this matter thanks

  5. Dakota Franklin on June 2, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    Need help with my resume I’m trying to get my first job

  6. Renju on June 5, 2018 at 3:29 pm

    Thank you…

    • Glory Nwabuoku on June 15, 2018 at 3:37 pm

      Just need this job

  7. GILBERT WEST on June 5, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    Dear Jessica,

    I appreciate your sharing of resume development strategy. 25-30 years ago I was a drug dealer in NYC. While its been well over 20 years since I’ve sold drugs, I am repeatedly denied access to good, meaningful jobs. According to FCRA, any conviction over 7 years old is irrelvevant, very few employers, particularly in the financial services industry where I have the highest aptitude, are willing to hire me. How can I overcome this hurdle?

    • Daniel Blanchard on July 29, 2018 at 6:28 pm

      dont list your felony, dont even say you have one. Cause i dont know any employer that goes back 20yrs on a background check. Most places are 5, in your field of interest it’ll probably be 7, but never 20. So don’t say anything about it & you’ll be golden. Good luck bro!

  8. Rahenakhatun on June 5, 2018 at 6:01 pm

    I am looking for job plz any job

    • Glory Nwabuoku on June 15, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Any job pls

  9. theresa on June 13, 2018 at 4:12 pm

    Ok if i have holes in my resume how would i get it right

  10. Julie Elser on June 18, 2018 at 5:41 pm

    I am definitely not good at answering the phone or looking for jobs on phone. I would rather be emailed if I qualify for a position & given a phone number to call the company back if they are interested in me.

  11. Darlene on June 21, 2018 at 2:59 am

    Thank-You for your timely information about the protocol regarding a effective resume. The good guidelines to follow. I appreciate the know how because I’am new to the modern technology and online resumes and cover letters also applications. It’s been a learning process for me. I hope to get a job interview and possibly a job.

  12. Cathy Kinchelow on June 21, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    Hello,
    I have a master’s in Information Security/Management of Information Systems and am unable to get a job in my field. The experience requirements for a job in my field are usually 5 to 7 years. How can I get the required experience when no one will hire me without experience? HELP

  13. Elaine freeman on June 24, 2018 at 6:00 pm

    Hi my name is elaine I had a resume and every time I have fixed it. I still don’t get calls . Also I need help with re doing my resume because I still feel that it needs more work plus I had more than one page. Can u please help me with this issue. I would greatly appreciate your time and help with this . Sincerely yours elaine.

  14. Wendy Annas on June 26, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    Can we please redo my resume?

  15. Janet Noble on June 28, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Hi, do you review resumes? I don’t believe I have any of the above but would like you to review it.

    Best
    Janet

  16. Debra Smith-Judd on June 29, 2018 at 3:53 pm

    I would love for you to review my resume for error and tips.

  17. Roxie on June 30, 2018 at 4:31 pm

    With this being said, I need help.
    Thanks

  18. Jacqueline on July 1, 2018 at 3:21 pm

    I need help with my resume

  19. TERRY on July 3, 2018 at 4:18 pm

    I NEED HELP IN MY RESUME CAN YOU HELP MEFIX IT PLEASE THANK YOU VERY MUCH

  20. TERRY on July 3, 2018 at 4:22 pm

    I NEED HELP TO FIX MY RESUME CAN YOU HELP ME FIX IT SO THE PEOPLE I PUT RESUME IN TO THANK YOUVERY MUCH TERRY

  21. Taja on July 4, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    I’m over 44 years old, I’m having a very hard time finding a permanent position. Most jobs that I have been interviewing for, want a person that is driving. I don’t own a vehicle cause I don’t have a steady job.
    Very frustrated. It’s hard for a female my age to find a job over 44 years of age….

  22. Jacques Beljean on July 22, 2018 at 12:37 am

    Your comments will be appreciated. Thank you for noticing that. I am opened to receive them. Thank you.again for being available to put me on the way of success.

  23. Kathy Braxton on July 22, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    Please look over my resmue and see what can I change.

    • Jessica S. on July 25, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      Hi Kathy,

      I would recommend looking into a professional service for helping you with your resume. There are many free resources available online that are only a quick search away.

      Best of luck!

  24. Felicia Seltzer on July 23, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    Can u tell me where i when wrong on my Resume

    • Jessica S. on July 25, 2018 at 8:40 pm

      Hi Felicia,

      I would recommend looking into a professional service for helping you with your resume. There are likely several services in your area (some you can find on Yelp) or online (some are even free!). A quick search online should yield you some good results.

      Best of luck!

  25. Aline on July 31, 2018 at 12:19 am

    Thank u so much.it’s my first time to apply for job online.

  26. Aline on July 31, 2018 at 12:20 am

    Thank you

  27. Christopher Maqui on August 1, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    Need help on my resume.

  28. Malcom Hallowich on September 14, 2018 at 11:14 am

    It’s arduous to search out educated individuals on this subject, however you sound like you understand what you’re talking about! Thanks

  29. David Kwiatkowski on September 21, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    Jessica,

    If I send my resume to you will you give it a once over and critique it? I need some affirmation – I think it’s good but you have the eye for too much embellishment and other subtleties that I may miss.

    Thank you for your help whether you see it or not, I appreciate the tips.

    Best Regards,

    David

  30. Abrar on September 21, 2018 at 4:14 pm

    I need your help ple

  31. Abrar on September 21, 2018 at 4:17 pm

    I need your help ple,
    What is & where is wrong in my resume.

    Thank you

  32. LJ Bryan on October 3, 2018 at 8:23 am

    Try using Staffing agencies as many companies do not advertise the old fashioned way. Newspaper. They don’t want their clients knowing there are holes in their staff ! Many companies are second chance nowadays.

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