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3 Things That Send Your Resume to the Trash

“Resumes are the heartbeat of a career search. If done well, your resume will tell your story and sell you.”PrideStaff Modesto | Resume Tips to Help You Land the Job

These are the words of Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter of Glassdoor. They summarize the importance of a strong resume as the primary tool in your job quest.

Here are three pitfalls to avoid so you can assure your resume isn’t done poorly:

Poor Structure or Readability
A well-written resume weaves a compelling story that demonstrates your mastery of relevant capabilities, industry-specific knowledge and soft skills.

  • Focus on transferable skills. Your resume should show in 20 seconds or less how you’ll add value to a company by saving money, generating new business, promoting customer service or building key relationships. Show your stability and growth and put the most relevant information at the top.
  • Include a link to your online portfolio. You build instant credibility with a web portfolio that loads fast, is visually professional and showcases your accomplishments, mission statement and leadership aptitude.
  • Use bullet points. Dense paragraphs and long, run-on sentences will make prospective employers yawn and lose interest.
  • Keep it simple. Avoid industry jargon and acronyms. Don’t go overboard with multiple fonts or graphics. One to two pages is the ideal length. Choose accomplishments that are most in line with the position and the company’s values and eliminate the rest. Any work experience beyond 10 to 15 years ago is probably irrelevant or should be summarized in a short bullet or two.

Lack of Connection to Employer Need
Make your job search about the employer, not you. Pitch relevancy and perform an in-depth SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of the company’s needs.

  • Present your achievements in a way that demonstrates your understanding of the employer’s challenges. This is especially critical if you’re transitioning to a new industry. Your resume must speak the industry’s language or you will not be heard.
  • Tailor your resume to the job description. In a recent survey, 36 percent of employers said the leading reason they rejected resumes was that they were too generic. Take time to understand what each employer is looking for and tailor your resume accordingly. This includes the use of keywords to ensure it’s not rejected via an automated system.

Dishonesty
There are serious consequences to fabricating or exaggerating your information on your resume. Your credibility may be permanently damaged as a result.

  • There is absolutely no good reason to lie. Don’t overstate your educational experience or work history. Decision makers routinely conduct background and reference checks, so it will not go unnoticed.
  • Be sure you feel completely confident with your resume. Revise it until you’re 100 percent comfortable that all content is truthful and accurate.

A professional career coach can assist you in developing your resume, as well as partner with you throughout your successful job search. To learn more, read our related posts or contact our experienced Modesto recruiters today.

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