September seems to be a busy month for Vancouver resume writers like myself. With kids going back to school, and the summer being over, I guess people want to try applying for new jobs. September feels like the beginning of a new year, so why not start a new job?
Before sending out your resume, quickly review your resume and make sure you avoid these common errors found in resumes. (If you’re planning on re-writing your entire resume, try following these guidelines that I put together in an earlier blog.)
1. Typos and Spelling Errors.
Every time someone asks me what are the most common mistakes I find in resumes, I tell them they are typos, spelling and grammatical errors.
Make sure you print out your resume and proofread the hard copy. I find that once you print your written work in hard copy, it is far easier to spot the errors. The reason for this, according to a 2014 Wired article, is that our brains already know what meaning you want to convey from your work. Therefore, when you reproduce your work in a form that is unfamiliar to you – such using a different font or printing it on paper – then the errors become easier to spot. And remember: spell check everything.
2. Your Resume Isn’t Tailored for the Specific Job.
Many job applicants don’t spend enough time tailoring and modifying their resume to fit the job they are applying for. What they need to do is re-read their “Career Profile” or “Career Objectives” section at the top of their resume, and make sure those sections are consistent with what the employer is looking for.
Example:
Let’s say you’re a marketing manager, and you currently handle online marketing, as well as events marketing. If the position calls for an Events Marketer, then you want to emphasize your events marketing skills above everything else. Your “Career Profile” section might start off looking like this:
“Senior marketing manager specializing in events marketing, including the planning and organization of conferences, galas, exhibitions, luncheon and evening events, covering venues for 50 to 1,000 attendees.”
3. Your Most Relevant Job Skills Aren’t Emphasized.
This relates to my earlier point about one’s resume not being tailored for the job application. As you go through the “Employment History” section, elaborate in detail your skills, experiences, and accomplishments that are directly relevant to the job opening. Cut back or delete information that is not directly relevant to the job description. Start with your current or most recent job, because that is where the employer would first look at.
4. Consistency.
(a) Employment Dates: If you’ve given the month and year of when you’ve started and ended previous jobs, make sure you follow through in giving both the month and year of every job that you’ve worked at.
(b) Periods: If you’ve ended a sentence with a period, make sure you follow through in ending every sentence with a period. (As a matter of grammar and style, every sentence should end with a period!)
5. Proper Email Address.
Use an email address that is professional in appearance (e.g. john.smith@gmail.com). Avoid using cute or clever addresses like tweetybird604@hotmail.com.
Keep these five common mistakes in mind, each and every time you review your resume, and especially before you fire off your resume for a job that you’re dying to apply for.
Do you have an outdated resume, or a resume that needs a lot of improvement?
Consult with a Vancouver resume writer who can help you create a professional resume that will dramatically improve your chances of getting a job interview. See why numerous satisfied Vancouver job applicants recommend Channel Resume to help them create a first-class resume. Call 604 838 1222 or email me at milton.kiang@gmail.com
