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Sending out many resumes but rarely getting any response could indicate that you need to rework your resume. There are many job-seekers who are qualified for the position they are applying for, but their resumes contain mistakes that make them less likely to be hired. In this article, we have specially compiled some of the common mistakes people would make in their resume writing. Hope this might be helpful for you!
Using an unprofessional email address
Often, your email address is the first thing a potential employer sees when evaluating your application, so it will determine your first impression. A professional email address should simply include your surname and given name, without any additional information. For example:
anne_lovecoffee@gmail.com (X)
anne2021@gmail.com (X)
anne_tan@gmail.com (√)
tan.anne@gmail.com (√)
Not being specific enough
Avoid ambiguous terms like "several", "a few", and "many" when writing about your accomplishments. Instead, state the number clearly. For example, rather than writing
that you have sold a new product to “many” customers, tell the exact digit of customers who bought the product from you. Similarly, if you have created sales for the company, try to state how much is the exact monetary value. Your credibility will be diminished if you use ambiguous words.
Spelling and grammar error
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are commonly used by companies to collect and screen resumes prior to viewing them. Sometimes, an ATS can automatically reject your resume due to a spelling error. Even if the company does not use ATS, the recruiter might still deem you as not taking this job application seriously and reject your application. Therefore, always check through your resume multiple times before submission or ask someone who is trustworthy to read it for you.
Uncommon or Fancy font
Always remember to use readable fonts in your resume. Very often, the recruiters have to deal with so many resumes that they could only spend less than 1 minute to scan through each one. They might just give up and move on to the next candidate if your font is hard to read. Furthermore, some fonts may not be recognized by the applicant tracking system, reducing your chances of moving forward to the next interview stage. Some suggested fonts you can use in resume writing are Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, and Georgia.
Not tailoring your resume to different job positions
Since each position requires a different set of skills and experiences, it is important not to use the same resume for multiple job positions. Tailoring your resume to the job description will greatly increase your chance of proceeding to the interview stage as it shows the recruiter that you have done enough research and will be committed to this job position.
Focus on duties instead of accomplishment
Instead of listing what you have done, your resume should emphasize HOW good you are at your job. A prospective employer isn't so concerned with what you did in your previous job role but rather wants to see what your skills are and what potential benefits you can bring to the company. For example, a better way of writing “lead a group of five members in developing a new product” can be to “ facilitate weekly meetings and set goals for a five-member team to develop a new product within five months”.
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