Mistakes to Avoid in Resumes and Cover Letters
- Incorrect spelling of the company name
- In addition to the Dos & Don’ts, a CV should be modified every time the candidate applies for a position in order to match the job Criteria. That makes it easier for the recruiter. When it comes to the CV it should not be a history book. According to me, it should not more than 3 pages.
- Sending one generic resume to the potential opening could also be a mistake. You need to tailor your resume to the job specification keeping in view the relevance to the job you are applying for.
- Avoid having a very personal email address on your resume (for example: hotbabe@yahoo.com) - first initial, last name emails or a professional email address presents better:)
- Candidates should always include months and years next to their companies of previous employment. I often only see years on CVs and think the candidate is trying to hide gaps in their experience.
- Candidates should make sure that if they use cover letters, they send the appropriate one to the employer. I see cover letters from candidates stating they are trying to get a job that is completely different from the one they are applying for. It makes them look unorganized.
- If you have more than 30 years experience, it is not necessary to list details/description that date back to when you delivered papers. Format your resume so the jobs fit nicely onto 3 pages max and near the end just list company name and your title. It helps the recruiters greatly.
After focusing my hiring efforts on recent graduates for the past four years, the biggest error I note is that they are often not familiar with the resume they sent me. If I ask you to point out the position where you did X or let me know which of the positions listed on your resume prepared you best for Y a job candidate should be able to quickly point me in the right direction.It is frustrating when the prospect can't use the resume they submitted as a support tool during the interview because of their ignorance. Review your resume prior to a scheduled interview.
The biggest consistent mistake I see individuals make when writing their own resumes is that they do not communicate the value they bring to an organization. In a recent survey of HR professionals, 89% of respondents said accomplishments were the most important element. You have to show them how you can help the company by demonstrating examples of how you have saved companies money, made companies money, streamlined operations, made work easier, etc.
