Long before a potential employer sees you, they get to know more about you through your resume. Your resume is much more than a display of your top skills and qualities. It is a powerful tool that has the power to open doors. The resume acts as a bridge between you and your prospective recruiter. Hence, one should never underestimate the importance of a resume.
During the pandemic, the workforce experienced a collective burnout, and many left their jobs at unprecedented rates, leading to a phenomenon that we have termed as the Great Resignation. In light of this, the labour market has incentivised companies to offer better benefits and higher salaries. With the Great Resignation, there are now many people on the search for new jobs, making it important to have a resume that stands out.
Employers received hundreds of job applications for every open position. The information that you decide to include must be relevant. Below is a list of things that you should avoid on your resume to ensure that you are being presented as an appealing applicant.
1. Walls of Text
More is not always better. Instead of having a long, solid wall of text, your resume should be well-structured with minimal information that highlights your most job-relevant skills. Hiring managers should be able to see whether you are an appropriate candidate at a glance.
Many recruiters use software that is able to scan your resume to find keywords and give you a rating based on the similarities between your resume and their list of requirements. Use bullet points to organize information well to ensure readability.
2. Inaccurate Information
Top among the things not to put on your resume are dishonest statements. Never lie on your resume. This can include misleading statements of half-truths and inaccuracies. Although it might be tempting to embellish your work history or skill sets, doing so would increase the chances of you starting off on the wrong foot with the hiring manager when he/she puts your skill sets to the test.
3. Irrelevant Information
Stick to the information that is most relevant to the job. Avoid including too much personal information such as your hobbies, interests, and religion. Unless these are directly and specifically related to your application, leave them out and instead focus on the professional skills that make you a good candidate. If you are intending on including information about your former employer, always keep it positive or objective.
Unless asked for, exclude information about your current salary or unexceptional academic results. Highlight roles in which you have stayed for more than a few years rather than details of short-term roles. Don’t waste words on your resume by writing implied information such as contact info for references. Hiring managers know you have references and will ask for them at the appropriate.
4. Career Objective
A career objective is largely obsolete. It takes the focus away from the employer’s needs and instead places it on what you want from them. Such generic and vague statements such as career statements are a waste of space for your resume since they will not help hiring managers quickly understand what type of position you are seeking and why you are qualified. Instead, focus on what you can bring to the table instead. Consider starting with a career summary instead and sharing how you can value add to the company. It can deliver your elevator pitch, explaining why you are a good fit for the position.
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