Avoid these 7 mistakes when you make your resume

Creating a strong resume can help you stand out in a crowded job market. But even the best job seekers can make small mistakes that hurt their chances. Let’s look at seven common resume mistakes and how to avoid them, so your resume can make the best impression possible.

1. Adding Too Much Information

It’s tempting to include every job you’ve had or go into detail about unrelated roles. But your resume isn’t your life story—it’s a quick summary of your skills and experience.

How to Avoid This:

- Only include jobs, skills, and achievements that relate to the position you’re applying for.

- Highlight recent and important roles and keep the resume short—one page if you’re early in your career, or two pages if you have over ten years of experience.

2. Using a Basic Template and Overused Phrases

Hiring managers see many resumes. If you use a generic template with common phrases like “team player” or “hard worker,” your resume may look like everyone else’s.

How to Avoid This:

- Use action words and specific language. For example, instead of “strong communication skills,” try “presented monthly reports to management to improve department performance.”

- Try a modern, professional template that has a simple but polished look.

3. Not Including Achievements with Numbers

A list of duties without any achievements can make your resume feel flat. Employers want to see results to understand your impact in previous roles.

How to Avoid This:

- Include numbers when possible. Instead of “led a team,” write “led a team of 5 to complete projects 20% faster than planned.”

- Mention awards, promotions, or any special recognition to show your value.

4. Confusing Layout and Formatting

An unorganized or cluttered resume can make it hard for hiring managers to quickly see what they’re looking for, which could hurt your chances.

How to Avoid This:

- Use a clear, readable font (like Arial or Calibri) and a size no smaller than 10pt.

- Keep sections like “Experience,” “Skills,” and “Education” clearly separated.

- Make sure bullet points, dates, and headings look consistent across the document.

5. Including Personal Details that Aren’t Relevant

Personal information like marital status, age, or hobbies unrelated to the job may seem unnecessary to hiring managers and can make your resume look unprofessional.

How to Avoid This:

- Skip personal details unless they’re related to the job.

- If you mention hobbies, make sure they show skills relevant to the role, like leadership in a volunteer group.

- Focus on work accomplishments and skills instead.

6. Typos and Grammar Mistakes

Even one typo can make a bad first impression. It can suggest you lack attention to detail, which employers don’t want.

How to Avoid This:

- Use tools like spell-check, but also ask a friend or family member to review your resume.

- Read your resume out loud to catch errors that might be easy to miss.

7. Not Optimizing for Resume-Scanning Software

Many companies use software to scan resumes for keywords before they’re reviewed by a person. If your resume doesn’t include these keywords, it might not get seen.

How to Avoid This:

- Include keywords from the job description if they match your skills.

- Avoid using graphics, tables, or fancy designs that the software may not read correctly.

- Use clear headings like “Experience” and “Skills” to make it easy for the software to read.

Writing a good resume is about more than listing your work history. Avoiding these seven common mistakes can help make sure your resume gets noticed. Tailor it for each job, keep it clear and professional, and always double-check for mistakes. Your resume is your first chance to impress, so make it count!