Your resume serves as your first impression to potential employers – so you want to ensure it‘s a good one. With companies often receiving hundreds of applications for a single position, recruiters are skilled at quickly scanning resumes and identifying red flags that could disqualify a candidate.
After speaking with recruiters and hiring managers across industries, we‘ve compiled the top 25 things they absolutely hate to see on resumes. By avoiding these common mistakes and following best practices, you can create a powerful resume that grabs the attention of recruiters and lands you an interview.
1. Submitting your resume in an inaccessible format
Before a recruiter even reads your resume, they need to be able to open it. Submitting your resume as a Google Doc without granting the proper permissions is a surefire way to annoy recruiters. They shouldn‘t have to request access.
Instead, submit your resume as a PDF to maintain the formatting and make it easily openable. If you must use a Google Doc, be sure to adjust the sharing settings so anyone with the link can view.
2. Using an unprofessional email address
Your email address is one of the first things a recruiter will see. Using an old email like [email protected] will not make a good impression. Stick to a professional email address that includes your name. Avoid numbers and special characters. If needed, create a new email account specifically for your job search.
3. Mentioning the wrong company name
Customizing your resume for each position is important. However, make sure you update it carefully. Mentioning the wrong company name is an easy way to get your resume tossed. Recruiters want to see that you‘re truly interested in their specific job opening, not just copying and pasting.
4. Using difficult to read or distracting fonts
When it comes to your resume, readability is key. Avoid using overly creative or hard to read cursive fonts. Stick to clean, modern fonts like Calibri or Arial. Don‘t go below a 10-point font size. The exception is for design positions where you may have more creative leeway.
5. Including high school education if no longer relevant
Unless you‘re a recent graduate, there‘s no need to include your high school on your resume. Recruiters are most interested in your higher education and recent work experience. Including your high school just takes up valuable space. It can also make you look less experienced.
6. Listing multiple degrees but only one GPA
If you have multiple degrees, don‘t just include the GPA you‘re most proud of. This looks suspicious to recruiters. Either include your GPA for all your degrees, or leave them all off, especially if you‘re more than 5 years out of school. The exception is if you have an impressively high GPA and are a recent grad.
7. Listing every technology under the sun
Resist the urge to include every single programming language, software, or technology you‘ve ever encountered. Only include skills that you‘re truly proficient in and that are relevant to the position. Recruiters can tell the difference between actual skills and resume fluff.
8. Including "Microsoft Word" under your skills
At this point, proficiency in basic Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint and Excel is assumed. Listing these as skills makes you look out of touch. Only include more advanced technical skills that are relevant to the position.
9. Having inconsistent formatting
Consistent formatting is key to a polished, professional looking resume. Use a consistent font size, style, and color scheme throughout. Align your bullet points and make effective use of bold, caps, and italics to organize information. Inconsistent formatting is a sign of carelessness.
10. Using an objective statement
Objective statements are outdated and largely ineffective. Instead of telling the company what you want, use a professional summary statement to explain what skills and experience you bring to the table. Focus on how you can help the company, not the other way around.
11. Writing in first person
Your resume should not be written in first person using pronouns like "I" or "me." Instead, use short action phrases that describe your experience and accomplishments. For example: "Developed and implemented social media strategy that increased web traffic 150% in 6 months."
12. Using the wrong verb tense
Use present tense for your current position and past tense for all previous jobs. Keep your verb tense consistent. Using the wrong tense can make your resume confusing and sloppy. Double check to make sure each position uses the correct tense.
13. Focusing on responsibilities instead of accomplishments
One of the biggest resume mistakes is simply listing out your job responsibilities. Recruiters want to see what you actually achieved in your previous roles. Quantify your accomplishments using data, metrics, and examples. Show the impact you made.
14. Including outdated or irrelevant experience
Recruiters don‘t need to know about the paper route you had when you were 16. As a general rule, don‘t include experience over 10-15 years old, unless it‘s highly relevant to the position you‘re applying for. Focus on your most recent and relevant experience.
15. Writing long paragraphs of text
Huge blocks of text are difficult to read quickly. Remember, recruiters are often scanning hundreds of resumes. Use concise bullet points rather than lengthy paragraphs to describe your experience. Keep each bullet to 1-2 lines max.
16. Using empty buzzwords and clichés
Avoid overused corporate jargon and clichés like "team player" or "hard worker." These are empty phrases that don‘t tell the recruiter anything about you. Instead, use specific examples and data to illustrate your skills and experience. Show, don‘t just tell.
17. Not explaining gaps in employment
Unexplained long gaps in your work history are a red flag to recruiters. If you took time off to raise a family, travel, go back to school, or even due to illness, be sure to briefly explain this on your resume. Transparency is always better than leaving the recruiter guessing.
18. Having inconsistencies with your LinkedIn profile
In today‘s digital world, recruiters will very likely look up your LinkedIn profile to learn more about you. Make sure the information on your LinkedIn aligns with what‘s on your resume. Discrepancies in job titles, dates, or responsibilities will make recruiters question your honesty.
19. Getting too creative with your resume design
Unless you‘re applying for a highly creative position, avoid the temptation to make your resume a work of art. Unusual formats, colors, and graphics can be distracting and difficult for applicant tracking systems to read. Stick to a clean, modern design that highlights the content.
20. Submitting a 5-page resume
When it comes to resume length, the general rule is one page per ten years of work experience. For most mid-level professionals, a crisp two-page resume is perfect. Entry level workers should stick to one page. Anything longer risks losing the recruiter‘s attention.
21. Sending a rude or sloppy email with your resume
Your resume email is just as important as the resume itself. Keep your email professional, concise, and polite. Explain what position you‘re applying for and why you‘re a good fit. Attach your resume (preferably as a PDF) and thank the recruiter for their consideration. Avoid spelling or grammar errors at all costs.
22. Failing to tailor your resume to the position
Submitting the same generic resume to dozens of positions is not an effective strategy. Recruiters can tell if you‘ve put in the effort to customize your resume to their specific opening. Study the job description and company website. Include the skills, keywords, and experiences that the position calls for.
23. Not highlighting transferable skills
If you‘re trying to change careers or pivot to a new industry, your past experience may not be an exact fit. That‘s where transferable skills come in. Highlight the skills and accomplishments from your previous roles that could apply to the new position. For example, managing a team, overseeing a budget, or giving presentations.
24. Leaving off impressive personal projects or volunteer experience
Recruiters love to see candidates with ambition and drive outside of their 9 to 5 jobs. Include relevant passion projects, side hustles, volunteer work, or independent coursework that you‘ve done. This extra experience can help set you apart, especially for more junior candidates.
25. Forgetting to update and proofread
Even if you‘re not actively looking for a job, you should update your resume every 6-12 months. Keep it current with your latest accomplishments and skills. And before you submit it anywhere, be sure to carefully proofread for any spelling, grammar or formatting errors. Better yet, have a friend or family member give it a second look.
By avoiding these 25 resume mistakes and focusing on crafting a tailored, accomplishment-driven document, you‘ll be well on your way to impressing recruiters and landing interviews. Use these tips to create a stellar resume that outshines the competition in today‘s job market. Happy job hunting!