10 Things You Should Never Do On Your Resume


Resume Writing Tips

In today’s corporate world, if you want to be hired, then you must possess some degree of uniqueness and this starts readily from your resume. Resume matters a lot, because it is the per-requisite of any kind of interview. But if you view your resume as nothing more than a hurdle, you probably aren’t taking it as seriously as you should. But if you value it as a game-changer, you understand its importance and credibility. Unfortunately, those who are new to the world of resumes (and even seasoned job-seekers) often make some mistakes that can take them out of contention, and sometimes the employers doesn’t even bother to call the applicants by simply screening their resumes. So today we will discuss what makes your resume lasting, eye-catching and helpful by simply cutting out some mistakes on your resume.

But before you start, examine your resume that what your resume is all about? Is it an annoying story that you carry with yourself at the time of walking into an interview with any hope of getting hired? Or is it a history of your educational and professional life, ready to be shared with others to make lasting, career-forging connections?

Now, start reading these points one-by-one, in order to watch out mistakes on your resume.

Stop! Never do these on your Resume
1. Lying

There isn’t any need to say any word about it, but surprisingly, it needs to be said. People falsify or "pad" their resumes all the time. Unfortunately, it causes them to bite their nails after the interview is over. So keep your resume to the facts. Don't stretch or bend the truth. Don't alter employment dates to keep from having gaps in your timeline. Don't claim certificates, projects, duties or experiences you never had. Don't. Don't. Don't.

2. Stating an Unattainable Goal

The goal or objective that you put on your resume must confirm that they are SMART, rather than obscure or murky. Everyone knows you want to someday be the CEO of your own company. Everyone knows you want to stare down from above and run the corporate machine. Even beyond the unattainable goal, get rid of that objective that has littered resumes for decades. It's worthless. Saying that your goal is to climb the corporate ladder and be as wealthy as Bill Gates just piles on the bad. Scratch that section altogether and you'll have more room for what matters, means experience and skills.

3. Adding Achievements That Aren't

You were prom queen or you were voted the most handsome or good-looking guy in grade 7 in your high school. But consider this; are those achievements really achievements to be mentioned on your resume? The last thing you need is to puff up your resume with awards that have no relevance for the career you're chasing after. If you really want to add some achievements, then those must be addable, that is what we're talking. Undoubtedly, these must be your academic achievements. So be judicious in choosing those highlights.

4. Citing Previous Salaries

Never ever include your previous salaries on your resume. There are so many reasons not to do this. Here's one simple, self-serving reason not to do this: It will give your prospective employer a springboard for determining your new salary. Your goal should be to make more, so don't give the interviewer the means to undercut your true worth. Leave that information off so you can negotiate your salary needs later after you’re hired.

5. Including Personal Information

There is no reason to include the fact that you're married, have half a dozen of kids (because you are not applying for a CNIC, Immigration form or VISA), drive a minivan, attend church or mosque every weekend, coach your middle child’s soccer team, etc. All of that will eventually come out in the wash as you begin your career in the IT or business world. On a resume, it has no place. If you don't agree, consider this. What happens if you go into an interview and the hiring manager happens to hate soccer or is an atheist? You've immediately put yourself on the defensive side of things and have to work your way around a preconceived notion.

6. Listing Your Age

It's not illegal for interviewers to ask you your age, they can. But in fact, there isn’t any reason to ask about the age of the person being interviewed due to the fact that age doesn’t proves to be a scale to measure someone’s credibility or level of excellence. And most often, no one asks about your age. Regardless of whether an interviewer plans on asking that question, you shouldn't prompt them or give them reason to question your value simply because you added your birth date or age on that document. Leave it out.

7. Providing References

Don't include references. Don't even add "Available upon request." If interviewers need references, they'll ask. Saying that your references are available upon request is like saying that you promise to come to work if hired. It's implied. Besides, the space on that single-page document is far too important to be used up by worthless statements.

8. Writing in Third Person

The interviewer knows if you are trying to impress by writing in third person, it only makes you present yourself boastful, overconfident or it makes you look cocky. In fact, it is insisted that you never refer to yourself in third person unless you're trying to make your co-workers laugh. However, you don’t only need to write in third person but also not even write in first person. Why? I'm fairly certain it is understood every detail on your resume is about you.

9. Using a Less-than-Professional Email Address

It doesn't matter that you've used bromancewithbooze@gmail.com as your primary email address for years. Leave it off your resume. If that's the only email account you have, create a new one with a professional name (as in, your name). Even if you use it only for resumes, do it.

10. Including Your Current Business Contact Information

Do this and you might wind up receiving a call at your current place of employment by your prospective employer. Never list the contact information of your current business. If the potential new employers want to contact your current business, all they have to do is look up the name to get the details. The only phone number you should include on your resume is your personal mobile number. Nothing more.

Final Note

Your resume should help potential employers navigate the waters of your professional past and present. Don't muddy those waters with unnecessary information that could send you to the slush pile. Keep it relevant, fresh, and to the point and you'll increase the chances of getting to the next round of interviews.

Let that be your guide when you add information to your resume.

What other resume do's and don'ts would you recommend? Share your advice in comments below.

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