Okay, maybe you’ve procrastinated writing your resume, but now you’re ready to start. How do you ensure that your accomplishments stand out from the crowd? Are you worried you’re not creative, smart, or gifted enough to write a resume that gets passed on rather than thrown out?
Of course, you have what it takes to craft a great resume. It’s a skill that anyone can learn. However, most people struggle to find just the right format and words to position themselves as the best candidates for the jobs they are targeting. The highly credentialed writers at Life Working® have renovated thousands of resumes so job seekers like you can get noticed and land great jobs.
To get going, it may be more helpful to know what not to do in a world where one size resumes don’t fit all.
1. TOO SHORT OR TOO LONG
No rule dictates the length of the ideal resume. If you’re a new graduate, a one-page resume may be all you need to communicate your strengths and skills. But a professional would likely need two-pages to tell their story. At the executive level, recruiters don’t mind reading a three-page resume if that’s what is needed to shine a spotlight on your superpowers, contributions, and accomplishments.
2. IT’S NOT ATS-FRIENDLY
You might not realize that your resume usually doesn’t go to a human being after you submit it—it goes to a computer. That’s because employers are increasingly using an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen resumes. Once you submit your resume, the ATS is the gatekeeper that will either move your resume on to the hiring manager or eliminate you. Your resume needs to include the appropriate keywords and be formatted so the ATS can read it.
3. WRONG FOCUS
Highlight impact statements and results, not job duties. Expert resume writers at Life Working® use the STAR format – Situation, Task, Action, Result. In the Experience section, start each bullet point with a powerful action verb and immediately describe the result. We highlight any words we want the reader to see at a 10-second glance.
4. TOO MANY BUZZWORDS
Recruiters and hiring managers have seen and read hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes overflowing with buzzwords and irrelevant keywords. Using buzzwords doesn’t set you apart because everyone uses them—which is a surefire way not to stand out in a crowd.
5. TOO HARD TO READ
No one has the time or the patience to read dense paragraphs. Make your resume easy to read by using short, succinct sentences. Incorporate spaces and use italics, bold, and capitalization for emphasis. When listing details under a section, use bullet points instead of numbers or letters.
6. SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION ERRORS
Inconsistent verb tenses, typos, and bad grammar demonstrate a lack of attention to detail and poor verbal and written skills—either way, your professionalism comes into question. This is where a Life Working® resume writer can help you shine.
7. TOO GENERIC
No one wants to read general content that describes your background but doesn’t convey that you have the specific skills and experience for the roles you are targeting. Your resume should be tailored to each position. Hiring managers can spot a generic resume a mile away.
8. INACCURATE VERB TENSES
It is not okay to have all the verbs in the present tense for jobs you had years ago if you’re no longer there. When discussing what you did in your past, use past tense, e.g., managed, coded, designed, marketed. Use the present tense if you're describing something you are still doing in your current job.
9. INCONSISTENT USE OF YOUR NAME
Use the same name for all your job search materials, especially your resume and LinkedIn profile. For example, some people use their formal first name on their resume and their nickname on LinkedIn. Simply put, it’s confusing.
10. YOUR NAME IS TOO BIG AT THE TOP OF THE FIRST PAGE
Your resume is a marketing brochure designed to sell you as a solution to the employer’s challenges. We refer to the space on the resume page as valuable real estate, and we want to maximize every inch of space. You want to focus your content on what’s most important to the employer—the solutions you can provide to help potential employers reach their goals. After they know what you can do for them, they will be interested in you and your name.
I’m very happy with my resume. I could never have done anything close to that on my own. It is a masterpiece and has given me the solid foundation to launch an effective job search. It gets compliments from everyone who sees it. ~ J.R., Life Working client June 9, 2022
Find out why working with a Life Working® resume writing expert will make all the difference in your job search. Our clients are often contacted for an interview within 24 hours of applying. For more information, check out our resume writing services and schedule your free consultation.