These Ten Areas Could be Keeping Recruiters Away From Your Resume

Nancy Anderson
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If you're sending your resume out to dozens of companies and waiting for weeks on end with no response, it may be time to reassess this ever-important document. Your resume serves as the first impression for recruiters and hiring managers, so it's vital that you make sure it's top-notch before mailing it out. Consider these 10 areas that may be landing your resume in the reject pile.

1. The Format

Your resume should be clean, simple and professional. Steer clear of fancy formats, gaudy borders or hard-to-read fonts that clutter up the document and give hiring managers the wrong impression.

2. The Objective Statement

An objective statement on a resume is so last century. Potential employers want to know what value you bring to their organizations, so opt for a career summary instead. Use this section to highlight your most impressive qualifications and experience to grab the hiring manager's attention right away.

3. The Skills

Don't provide a list of irrelevant or unrelated skills. Review the position description, and include the job skills and work experience that is most valuable to the hiring organization.

4. The Length

Try to limit your resume to one page. If you're a veteran in the field with a lot of experience, two pages is acceptable. Strike a good balance between text and white space so that your resume doesn't appear too cluttered.

5. The Photo

Unless the employer specifically requests one, don't include a photo on your resume. A photo can easily invite discrimination based on race, age or other characteristics.

6. The Customization

Never send out a one-size-fits-all resume to a whole host of potential employers. Each application package you send should be tailored specifically to the position for which you're applying. This includes relevant keywords and a customized career summary.

7. The Work Experience

A resume that shows a lot of jobs over a short period of time presents a red flag to potential employers. If your work history is spotty with a lot of short-term positions, try to include only the most relevant experience.

8. The Contact Information

It's not necessary to list your physical address on your resume. Instead, include your phone number and email address and links to your professional social media accounts, such as your LinkedIn profile URL. A full physical address only provides the opportunity for a hiring manager to discriminate based on your location.

9. The Spelling

Be sure to proofread your resume for spelling and grammar errors, as these are one of the biggest pet peeves of hiring managers when they're reviewing an application. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to give the document a look before you hit send.

10. The Clichés

Remove any worn-out clichés from your resume. Avoid overused phrases such as "team player," "detail-oriented" and "good communication skills."

From the formatting to the content and everything in between, your resume should be flawless. Pay close attention to these 10 areas to ensure your resume isn't turning off recruiters.

If you're sending your resume out to dozens of companies and waiting for weeks on end with no response, it may be time to reassess this ever-important document. Your resume serves as the first impression for recruiters and hiring managers, so it's vital that you make sure it's top-notch before mailing it out. Consider these 10 areas that may be landing your resume in the reject pile.

1. The Format

Your resume should be clean, simple and professional. Steer clear of fancy formats, gaudy borders or hard-to-read fonts that clutter up the document and give hiring managers the wrong impression.

2. The Objective Statement

An objective statement on a resume is so last century. Potential employers want to know what value you bring to their organizations, so opt for a career summary instead. Use this section to highlight your most impressive qualifications and experience to grab the hiring manager's attention right away.

3. The Skills

Don't provide a list of irrelevant or unrelated skills. Review the position description, and include the job skills and work experience that is most valuable to the hiring organization.

4. The Length

Try to limit your resume to one page. If you're a veteran in the field with a lot of experience, two pages is acceptable. Strike a good balance between text and white space so that your resume doesn't appear too cluttered.

5. The Photo

Unless the employer specifically requests one, don't include a photo on your resume. A photo can easily invite discrimination based on race, age or other characteristics.

6. The Customization

Never send out a one-size-fits-all resume to a whole host of potential employers. Each application package you send should be tailored specifically to the position for which you're applying. This includes relevant keywords and a customized career summary.

7. The Work Experience

A resume that shows a lot of jobs over a short period of time presents a red flag to potential employers. If your work history is spotty with a lot of short-term positions, try to include only the most relevant experience.

8. The Contact Information

It's not necessary to list your physical address on your resume. Instead, include your phone number and email address and links to your professional social media accounts, such as your LinkedIn profile URL. A full physical address only provides the opportunity for a hiring manager to discriminate based on your location.

9. The Spelling

Be sure to proofread your resume for spelling and grammar errors, as these are one of the biggest pet peeves of hiring managers when they're reviewing an application. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to give the document a look before you hit send.

10. The Clichés

Remove any worn-out clichés from your resume. Avoid overused phrases such as "team player," "detail-oriented" and "good communication skills."

From the formatting to the content and everything in between, your resume should be flawless. Pay close attention to these 10 areas to ensure your resume isn't turning off recruiters.


Photo courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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