You might not be aware of it, but there are three resume blunders that are committed by thousands of job seekers every day. Some people even go for years without knowing that there’s something wrong. So, here are three things to look out for when crafting your resume for career success.
1. Opening Objective Statements
There are two problems with having an objective statement: 1) the employer already knows what your objective is: to get the job; and 2) objective statements are usually written in a very broad, generic, and comprehensive way, making it vague and pointless. With that, the employer won’t have any clear idea about the applicant – his or her skills, talents, and abilities.
2. Never-ending Bullet Lists
Having bullet points in your resume is fine. However, a long list written in this form will be your downfall; the reader will lose interest quickly. As the employer’s eye scans your resume, he or she will look for content that will stand out. Important information should be easy to read and should jump out at the employer. Creating a very long list of bullet points will make it hard to keep the reader’s attention.
3. Empty Accomplishment Zone
What you did is actually more important than what you can do. The manager wants your experiences and accomplishments from your previous jobs, not your duties and responsibilities. It’s acceptable to provide a brief description of your former position, but it’s more important to explain the successes and accomplishments you gained while you were fulfilling the role. These will help you to stand out from all the other candidates.
Now, all you have to do is review and take a good long look at your resume to ensure that it doesn’t have any of the three blunders mentioned above. Do it today – I have no doubt that your new and improved resume will make a big difference.
