So, you're about to start making or updating your resume so
you can go find your dream job (or hey maybe, just ANY
job...in credit crunch 2008 that might be the best you can
do for now). I know that it can seem impossibly difficult
but it's not that hard at all. However, it IS very easy to
make a mess of it - And messed up resumes and CVs get
"round filed" real fast (thrown in the bin) and round filed
= no job interview. Yep, a poor resume means you stand
100% no chance. So you want to get it right - right?
Fear not. It's not that hard at all - once you know what to
avoid - and that's what I'll tell you now.
So what are some of the classic errors that will screw your
CV up?
**John Doe - No contact information**
Many people feel that because they're sending a cover
letter, they don't need to include their name, address,
phone number and email address at the top of their resume.
However it's very common for cover letters to be separated
from resumes by HR departments who then pass the resume to
various other staff members for review. At this stage your
contact information is very likely to be lost forever! And
I can tell you that it's very frustrating for a manager to
receive a good resume that has all of the qualifications
that he or she is looking for in an employee without a name
or any contact information.
So - Very important - Include all of your contact
information at the top of your resume. Name, address,
phone, email.
**What do you want to do? No objective**
Large organizations may have dozens of ads for employees
advertised. If your resume goes first to an HR admin person
for filtering then how will he or she know what job you're
applying for unless you state this in your resume as well
as cover letter (again same dangers of lost cover letters
apply so put it on the CV header too)
**What do you want to achieve? No goals or ambition?**
Not necessary in all cases. Use common sense. Under your
name and contact information should be a heading about your
career objective. You can break this into two categories.
One should be for the position which you are seeking. The
other can be what you hope to attain in the future.
If, for example, you are seeking the position of a
newspaper reporter but have ambitions to be an editor or a
features writer, then you can outline this in your resume
as a career aim. This can be a handy indication that you're
a long term strategic thinker as well as a loyal employee
who is keen to develop new skills and add value to the
business.
As I say use common sense. If applying to small companies
it may not be wise to indicate that you want the job of the
person who's recruiting you!
**You don't have the right skills, goodbye! They're not
psychic you know!**
In any job no matter how junior there are skills required
even if it's just a summer job selling ice cream on the
beach (hey that's customer facing with a bit of sales you
know!) Way to many CVs are thin on evidence of relevant
skills.
Way to many people include all of their tasks in a short
paragraph, which doesn't impress many prospective employers.
So don't understate your past experience ' Include all of
the tasks you performed at your old job, or know how to do,
that concern to the position which you are seeking.
It's good to list all of the tasks and knowledge in bullet
point format so that it makes it easier for the employer to
see just what you can do. This is not the time to be shy or
modest. Highlighting your accomplishments, knowledge and
past experience can not be too underestimated when it comes
to your resume.
**Got fired or saying my current job and company are
rubbish - Writing why you left or are leaving**
Not necessary at all and looked at unprofessional. You will
most likely be asked why you left your prior employment
during your interview. Don't badmouth your last place of
employment, even if your boss was a reincarnation of the
Devil! Just say that you are seeking an opportunity for new
development.
**I want, I want! Talking money right off the block**
NEVER put down how much you are making at your current job
or how much money you expect to pull in at the new job.
While some employers will ask that you state your salary
qualifications in your cover letter, this is never
acceptable on a CV.
Many employees who ask that prospective employees state
their salary requirements in their cover letter tend to pay
low wages and do not want to waste their time with anyone
who expects to be paid enough money to make a living.
**Your resume looks like a 5 year olds "art" project**
For a 5 year old it's cute. For a resume it's death.
Coloured paper, fancy fonts and pics may look really nice
but is generally considered to be amateurish. Use white
paper. Black ink. Standard fonts. Standard upper and lower
caps and make it easy to read.
**Uneducated barbarians need not apply**
You didn't spring into existence from nowhere so make sure
that you put down your educational experience from the last
college or university that you attended to the first.
If you have a post graduate degree, that should come first
under the Education heading, along with the degree and any
awards.
Your undergraduate university or college should come second
along with degrees and accomplishments. If you have a post
grad degree you don't have to put down high school
information ' That's a given.
**No autobiographies please!**
Pages of life story filler are a sure way to get round
filed fast. With that said, it's a context thing. Don't
hesitate to make your CV more than one page if your
accomplishments, experience and education warrants this in
the context of the position applied for.
It's better not to underestimate yourself than to keep your
resume short and sweet. On the other hand don't pout down
long lists of hobbies, and non work related achievements,
your junior schools, places lived in, travel done and so
on. It's filler and recognised as such right away. Black
mark.
**Summary**
So, avoid these clangers and you'll be well on your way to
creating an interview magnet of a resume that will reflect
all of the reasons why you are the best person for the job
as well as a resume that reflects your personality.
----------------------------------------------------
From London where he was an expert job hopper Nick now
lives in Stockholm with wife Lena and Gunnar a Border
Terrier. He likes long forest and lake walks, is learning
Swedish, sells on ebay and publishes career help websites,
for example - http://www.bestcareerdomain.info where you
can find resume and interview help ideas and tips.
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