What is keeping you from getting interviewed for that coveted job?
Could it be your resume?
The answer could be ‘Yes’ if you are making any of the following mistakes:
Too verbose?
Is your resume too verbose; running into pages, stating everything from your birth to each award you won at high school?
Remember, however well written a resume may be, a recruiter only scans it for about 25 seconds.
Articulate it well and do not, in any case, write more than 2 pages.
Easy on the eyes?
Save a thought to the recruiters and stand out by keeping your resume easy on the eyes.
Use crisp and clear headings;
Format logically and leave lots of white space; and
Use font effectively to hold the attention of the reader.
Are you the one they are looking for?
Yes, definitely! And your resume can go a long way to prove that. Companies need candidates that can solve their issues and show them numbers.
Give a brief (not more than 2 lines) description of the employer;
Next, mention what you did for the company (This is different from a mere role description);
Now focus on your accomplishments, while mentioning ‘How’what you did benefited the company.
Did you back up your claims?
Most of us make general claims in our resumes without mentioning any quantifiable results as well as the competition faced. An achievement can only be appreciated when it is quantified or measured against the competition.
It is also important to use industry specific jargon to cater your resume to the target industry.
Most importantly, please remember to prepare an error-free, grammatically correct document. Nothing turns off a recruiter more than receiving a shoddy document showcasing your skills!
Decision Tree Consulting is a content consulting firm specializing in writing content to empower corporate communications, and LinkedIn profiles and CVs for senior executives, including functional heads, C-suit executives and global leaders. The content agency has a cumulative experience of writing 500+ resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles. Our team has also written compelling content for brands across Asia, North America and Europe.
