Mistake #1: Not Explaining What YOU Have Done
The problem with a lot of resumes is that they focus too much on the "What" and not the "How".
The "what" is your employment history, which people can see if they click on your profile.
Another mistake people often make with their resume is putting a bunch of unrelated information on there.
The key words you need to focus on are “responsible for.”
Always put yourself in a position where you are responsible for the output of a project.
For example, you might want to put together a graphics package for a software company. Your resume should be worded in a way where it explains how you went about putting that graphics package together, resulting in a final product.
Explaining how you accomplished something in your resume says a lot more about you and your abilities than simply putting “created graphics package.” And it’s also a lot more believable to the person reading your resume.
Putting the spotlight on the final product rather than explaining the steps you took is also a better way to showcase your skills in a way that’s going to attract the person reading the resume.
How to avoid this mistake:
There are many resume writing services, so you may think you don’t need to make your own CV.
But templates are just that – templates. They’re based on the what the writer or resume service thinks a successful CV should look like. You are unique, and you want your CV to reflect that.
You have to stand out from other applicants. You have to differentiate yourself from everyone else who is applying for the same position as you.
You will have to have flexibility. You’re not going to be applying for the same jobs over and over again, and each time you apply for a new job, you will be competing with a new crop of candidates. Your CV has to be flexible enough for you to customize it to fit the new job you’re applying for.
Mistake #2: Too Long
Let’s imagine that you’re applying for an architecture job in a European and corporate environment. The length of your resume is vitally important.
In the UK, the mean length of word document accepted as a CV is 1,285 words, “which is approximately three pages long.” We’ve all seen CVs that are one line long! Do not send a CV that’s one line long. It won’t be read.
On an international scale, it’s the same. You don’t need to go into personable detail, but you do need to be at least two to three pages long.
How to avoid this mistake:
There are many resume writing services, so you may think you don’t need to make your own CV.
But templates are just that – templates. They’re based on the what the writer or resume service thinks a successful CV should look like. You are unique, and you want your CV to reflect that.
You have to stand out from other applicants. You have to differentiate yourself from everyone else who is applying for the same position as you.
You will have to have flexibility. You’re not going to be applying for the same jobs over and over again, and each time you apply for a new job, you will be competing with a new crop of candidates. Your CV has to be flexible enough for you to customize it to fit the new job you’re applying for.
Mistake #3: Including Irrelevant Information
The cover letter is the most important factor in gaining an interview, and the resume is the next most important. Everything in the resume must lead back to your career goals, abilities, knowledge, and talents.
It is a mistake to include details about your personality traits, your hobbies, or other irrelevant information. This should not be included in your resume. You can keep it all in a Career Summary at the top or bottom of your resume. This is also a mistake because as soon as a potential employer sees it, they might favor someone else who appears to be more professional.
Your cover letter must be interesting, concise, unique, and engaging. When you meet with a potential employer, create an environment that is friendly and welcoming. Ask questions to show genuine interest in who they are and what they do. Most importantly, do not forget to make such effort.
How to avoid this mistake:
There are many resume writing services, so you may think you don’t need to make your own CV.
But templates are just that – templates. They’re based on the what the writer or resume service thinks a successful CV should look like. You are unique, and you want your CV to reflect that.
You have to stand out from other applicants. You have to differentiate yourself from everyone else who is applying for the same position as you.
You will have to have flexibility. You’re not going to be applying for the same jobs over and over again, and each time you apply for a new job, you will be competing with a new crop of candidates. Your CV has to be flexible enough for you to customize it to fit the new job you’re applying for.
Mistake #4: Using Too Many Graphics
Resumes loaded with every color of the rainbow, busy graphics, clip art, and ill-chosen pictures do not impress potential employers. You may think your creative resume would actually set you apart from your competition, but it could do the exact opposite.
Careful though! I am not saying that you shouldn’t use graphics at all. In fact, you should, and here’s why.
I strongly encourage you to use graphics to highlight your accomplishments in the body of your resume. In other words, use it in a way that helps your reader understand what you have achieved. Graphics delivered in this manner should support your resume, not overpower it. Use enough graphics to drive home your achievements to the reader.
But always keep in mind that a potential employer’s attention can evaporate very quickly. The bigger your resume is, the less likely they will want to read it.
Imagine that you are a business executive and you start reading a 10, 12, 20, or 30-page resume. After reading the 1st page (which may already be too much), you’re probably thinking, “What is this person trying to show me? Is he trying to impress me?”
Your resume’s graphics should complement your abilities and your accomplishments. Not the other way around.
How to avoid this mistake:
There are many resume writing services, so you may think you don’t need to make your own CV.
But templates are just that – templates. They’re based on the what the writer or resume service thinks a successful CV should look like. You are unique, and you want your CV to reflect that.
You have to stand out from other applicants. You have to differentiate yourself from everyone else who is applying for the same position as you.
You will have to have flexibility. You’re not going to be applying for the same jobs over and over again, and each time you apply for a new job, you will be competing with a new crop of candidates. Your CV has to be flexible enough for you to customize it to fit the new job you’re applying for.
Mistake #5: Using Cheesy and/or Empty Phrases
The temptation is to say “I’m very thorough”, or “I’m a very good team player.” Be careful here! These aren’t traits of yours that you should be bragging about because everybody has them. It’s basic good behavior to be thorough and good at teamwork, so most people will say exactly the same thing as you. Instead, you need to be very specific as to what you do. For example, “I organize all the files in our office and have an excellent system for double-checking that no information is ever lost.” That’s the kind of specific detail that should come up in your resume.
What are the benefits of being fluent in many languages, even if you don’t use them on the job? In a word: brain plasticity.
Language learning helps keep your brain active and makes it more flexible. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that learning multiple languages can have remarkable effects on brain function and may even help stave off the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life.
How to avoid this mistake:
There are many resume writing services, so you may think you don’t need to make your own CV.
But templates are just that – templates. They’re based on the what the writer or resume service thinks a successful CV should look like. You are unique, and you want your CV to reflect that.
You have to stand out from other applicants. You have to differentiate yourself from everyone else who is applying for the same position as you.
You will have to have flexibility. You’re not going to be applying for the same jobs over and over again, and each time you apply for a new job, you will be competing with a new crop of candidates. Your CV has to be flexible enough for you to customize it to fit the new job you’re applying for.
Mistake #6: Poor Grammar
Spelling, and Formatting.
Many companies have internal policies about whether employees are permitted to work from home. A few jobs are specifically designed for on site or remote work. Obviously, if the description of a job opening states remote work, the job seeker should know that the position can be filled without having the employee in the office.
Many companies have a standard filing system for resumes. The system must be followed. If the resume is put in the wrong file, it will not be seen. Even if you send it electronically to an applicant tracking system or individual, use the same wording that was on the original job description.
Finally, the resume needs to be typed. A standard printer or an inexpensive copier can do the job. Quality printers found in most places of business can produce better resumes. The employer needs to be able to read the resume. Use plain white paper. Avoid colored paper or fancy brochure paper. Use a good quality bond. Follow the recommendations of the software used to create your resume. (Word or WordPerfect can create a good resume.) Don’t use staples to hold the paper together. Use a strong glue to hold the pages together.
How to avoid this mistake:
There are many resume writing services, so you may think you don’t need to make your own CV.
But templates are just that – templates. They’re based on the what the writer or resume service thinks a successful CV should look like. You are unique, and you want your CV to reflect that.
You have to stand out from other applicants. You have to differentiate yourself from everyone else who is applying for the same position as you.
You will have to have flexibility. You’re not going to be applying for the same jobs over and over again, and each time you apply for a new job, you will be competing with a new crop of candidates. Your CV has to be flexible enough for you to customize it to fit the new job you’re applying for.
Mistake #7: Not Highlighting Your Skills Relevant For The Job
When you send an architecture resume (CV) or cover letter, you need to ensure that you highlight skills that are in strong alignment with the job requirements. Just listing your qualifications on paper without highlighting the skills required by the hiring manager will only frustrate the hiring manager.
For example, if you are applying to work as a head of an architectural design firm, it is essential that the hiring manager be able to see that you have the budgeting skills to manage the finances of the firm and the communication and people management skills to manage the architectural designers and technicians.
If you don’t highlight this, you will make it difficult for the hiring manager to see how you will be a good fit for the job.
When looking for a job, you have to understand that the employer can’t read your brain. If you have the skills to do the job but you don’t highlight them in your resume (CV) or cover letter, the hiring manager won’t know that.
For example, let’s say that during the interview, it is revealed that you have a degree in engineering. The hiring manager won’t know this if it isn’t highlighted in your resume (CV) or cover letter because you can very well hide this fact in the resume (CV) or cover letter.
How to avoid this mistake:
There are many resume writing services, so you may think you don’t need to make your own CV.
But templates are just that – templates. They’re based on the what the writer or resume service thinks a successful CV should look like. You are unique, and you want your CV to reflect that.
You have to stand out from other applicants. You have to differentiate yourself from everyone else who is applying for the same position as you.
You will have to have flexibility. You’re not going to be applying for the same jobs over and over again, and each time you apply for a new job, you will be competing with a new crop of candidates. Your CV has to be flexible enough for you to customize it to fit the new job you’re applying for.