Looking at the current competitive job market, you can not afford to make mistakes. One job posting receives about 250-500 applicants' résumés. Hiring managers and recruiters do not have the time to go through every one of these applications. So they use a résumé skimming system to fasten the process, that's why more successful job seekers are hiring professional resume writing services to erase any chances of errors.
Before hiring a resume writer, one must know the mistakes they are making that are causing their résumé to get rejected in the skimming process. Oftentimes, these are silly blunders that can easily be removed and corrected. So, we have made a list of everything you should and shouldn’t include in a résumé. These are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to writing a great résumé.
What You Shouldn’t Include in a Résume
It takes mere six or seven seconds for a résumé test to decide the fate of your job application. You do not want the system or hiring manager to get distracted by unnecessary details. Here are certain criteria you can follow when deciding what you shouldn’t include in a résumé.
Too Much Personal and Work Information
Too much of anything is always bad. It holds true even when it comes to personal and work details on a résumé. You need to command attention through your resume. Personal accomplishments are welcome; unnecessary personal information is not.
Do not mention trivial details such as your full address, personal hobbies, or a career objective, etc., unless the job profile calls for the same. Stick to the information that is relevant for the job.
As for work history, only include experiences that make you appear qualified for the job. If you are appearing for the role of accountant, mentioning your previous experience as a swim instructor is futile.
Spelling and Grammatical Errors
Your résumé should be grammatically perfect and free from any spelling errors. Such flaws will make it harder for your application to process through and receive acceptance from resume skimming software. Moreover, it will create a non-flattering opinion about you in front of the hiring manager.
So to reduce chances of such mistakes arising, you really should hire a professional resume writing service and make use of spelling and grammatical error-check applications such as Grammarly.
Salary
History and Comments About Former Employers:
Your former work experience and salary history, however exuberant or unsatisfactory it was, should not be mentioned in detail in the résumé. Do not comment negatively about your former employer because that could work against you and make you appear unprofessional. Cite reasons such as ‘need for professional growth and improvement’ for leaving your current job.
Salary history is another unnecessary fact that should only be discussed formally in an interview. Ask for the budget of your potential employer’s company before mentioning your expected compensation for the role. Comply and adjust with their budget if you wish to secure the job.
Embedded Charts and Images
When your hiring manager or recruiter lands their eyes on your résumé, it should capture their attention with its simplicity, elegance and conciseness. Embedded charts and images are informative, but they make your résumé appear visually too busy. In addition, employers software scanning filters cannot read images and charts. ATS systems are only able to read content.
According to a top rated resume writing service, DoMyResume.NET, It might lead to a bad impression and give your potential employer a headache. Make your résumé easy on the eyes and understandable. Take in the professional opinions of résumé writers and make the necessary changes.
What You Should Include In a Résumé
You need to carefully select what information you include in your résumé. What you type in your resume will decide whether you get the job or not. These are some of the criteria that you need to remember when considering what you should include in a résume.
Accurate Contact Information
Give your working phone number, email address and postal address as contact information. Accuracy is the key here. Double the contact information that you have mentioned in your résumé.
Also, make sure your email address does not look unprofessional. Create a particular work email address that contains your name. And make sure you check your inbox daily for responses from potential employers.
Work History and Education
Work history and education are important information that shouldn’t be left off a résumé.
The education that makes you qualified for the job role should be mentioned accurately. Take care of the passing year and score. Also, mention extracurricular activities you took part in school and university if it shines a better light on you.
When mentioning work history, eliminate those jobs that you did part-time in high school unless you can highlight the experience and skills you gained from it.
Skills, Achievements and Awards
Be truthful and accurate about skills, achievements and awards. Do not give misleading claims or incurvature statements that are not verifiable. If you mention work history, do not cite your responsibilities for a particular. Highlight the skills and accomplishments you made.
Achievements and awards that relate to the job role will help attest to your efficiency and credibility. Be specific while mentioning them. Do not expand on every detail. For instance, if you were awarded for your mathematical data skills in university, reference the same in your résumé for the post of an accountant or data scientist.
Ideal Opening Statement/Summary For the Job
A bad summary or opening statement may lead to your résumé being thrown straight into the bin. Do not appear vague in your summary. Mention your personality, skills and accomplishment in a few lines that best describe why you should be selected for the job. Give the employers some specific to focus on that addresses the job requirement and also highlights your capabilities.
To reduce the chances of any mistakes arising - you should only present your true particulars and qualifications in your résumé. Proofread your résumé every time before you apply for a job. Do not reduce your chances of being hired by mentioning unimportant credentials and history. For best results, you can hire a resume writing service or decide the key items on your own.