Common Resume Blunders

 Common resume blunders

What to write and what to avoid while writing one’s resume? It is very important question. It is seen that some irrelevant information is presented while sometimes inadequate information is presented. Such blunders could take away your dream chance of getting that most awaited job. Below, are listed few and very common resume mistakes which often turn a resume weak. The following points are to be considered before preparing resume.Focus on job duties rather than accomplishments: Most common mistake is that job duties and responsibilities drive resume rather than accomplishments. This turns even a potential resume into a dull listing of job duties. To make your resume stand out, you should focus on your

accomplishments and how you handled your responsibilities rather than

focusing on what was required of you at your previous company. You

should focus on the challenges you faced at your previous organization and the efforts you made to overcome those challenges. Mention any special

recognitions or appreciation awards received if any. Avoid using company

job descriptions or profile as the basis for your resume development. Your

Resume should focus on demonstrating your skills not merely stating them.

Objective statements: Resume looses readers by overused, too general

objective statements. Too descriptive objective should be replaced with a

proper and catchy tagline which states your area of expertise. Most

essential element for a resume is sharp focus. A resume should focus on a

clear match between the job’s requirements and applicant’s skills. A resume

with generalised objective instead of focusing on specific job’s requirements

cannot be termed as competitive. A resume should show the employer at a

glance what you want to do and at what you're good.

Avoid using personal pronoun: Resume should be developed in a formal

style of writing in a telegraphic style. There should not be any use of articles

or personal pronouns like “I” or “me”.

Appropriate length of resume: Resume should neither be too long nor too

short. If one has a vast history of experience there is no point in selling

yourself in a single paged resume. You cannot compromise in displaying

your hard earned accomplishments. At the same time, resume cannot be a

boring bundle of pages carrying irrelevant and redundant list of experiences.

There is no fixed rule for appropriate resume length. It’s upon the candidate

to decide what information is essential for the job profile, what not and

thereby decide for the resume length. The words should be clear and precise

and easy to understand. Use of slang or unambiguous words is not

recommendable.

Avoid functional resume: Using functional resume in spite of a good career

history: Functional resume format is to be avoided, if you have a vast work

history. In that case, Combination resume style of writing is the most

effective. This style would help you to list your career progression and

accomplishments at each job position.