Please, be original. Don't make these
common mistakes.
| |
| Mistake: |
Incorrect
Contact Information |
| Correct: |
I once worked with a
student whose resume seemed incredibly strong, but he wasn't
getting any bites from employers. So one day, I jokingly asked
him if the phone number he'd listed on his resume was correct.
It wasn't. Once he changed it, he started getting the calls
he'd been expecting. Moral of the story: Double-check even the
most minute, taken-for-granted details -- sooner rather than
later. |
| |
|
| Mistake: |
Listing
a personal web site that contains inappropriate content. |
| Correct: |
See
listing your personal web site URL on your resume. |
| |
|
| Mistake: |
Using
really small fonts |
| Correct: |
Employers are
typically reading many resumes, and are taking less than half
a minute to read one. Really small fonts are hard to read and
don't photocopy as well. (That applies to your address block
as well.) What's too small? Generally don't go smaller than a
10 point, but notice that all font styles aren't sized
equally. For example, a 10 point Arial font is smaller than a
10 point Antique Olive. |
| |
|
| Mistake: |
Really
wide margins with content squeezed in the middle. |
| Correct: |
Your margins should
be at least one half inch. You really don't need more than one
inch. Lots of students ask if their resumes have "enough
white space." An employer isn't reading white space.
Employers are reading your content, and you want it to be easy
to see. |
| |
|
| Mistake: |
Long
wordy descriptions in your objective and elsewhere. |
| Correct: |
You don't need
complete sentences in your resume. Concise, understandable
phrases are sufficient. Look at the examples in resume
formats and samples. Ask for a Career Services advisor's
assistance in editing your resume through walk-in
advising. |
| |
|
| Mistake: |
Typos. |
| Correct: |
You have one chance
to make a first impression. In many cases, your resume, or
your resume plus a cover letter, are the only things an
employer has to base an impression of you. The resume is a
critical document for presenting yourself. The view is that if
you would make a mistake on your resume, you'll probably make
a lot more mistakes on the job. It's easy to miss your own
typos. Use spellcheck, but remember it won't catch every
error. Frightening example: If you leave the first
"l" out of "public relations," spellcheck
is not going to let you know. Get the idea? Ask friends to
proofread. |
| |
|
| Mistake: |
Using
too complicated a format; getting too creative. |
| Correct: |
The employer
typically spends about 15 to 30 seconds reading your resume.
Keep the layout simple and clean (like the examples in resume
formats and samples). Avoid too many layers of
indentation. Stick with one font size for the document; only
make your name larger. Don't mix font types. |
| |
|
| Mistake: |
Using
a unique, creative layout or style to stand out from the
crowd. |
| Correct: |
The best way to
stand out from the crowd is with high quality content and a
clearly written, neat, error-free document. Employers are
looking for content, not fancy or dangerously creative layout.
Don't stand out for the wrong reason. |
