Sometimes, the job search process can feel like a war. You spend hours prepping for battle, reviewing answers to interview questions, and filling out online applications, and then it all comes down to a final showdown interview against the HR manager. It’s easy to think they want you to lose.
But in reality, HR managers are on your side. They’re hoping you’re the best applicant for the job so they can fill the position and move on to the next opening.
That’s why it’s so important to make a good first impression with your resume. You want to stand out right away as a stellar applicant, the answer to their problem. And that starts by avoiding easy resume mistakes. Here are some of the top mistakes according to a survey from CareerBuilder.
- Spelling Mistakes
Seventy-seven percent of HR managers surveyed by CareerBuilder said they stop looking at a resume because of typos or bad grammar. You want to put your best foot forward, and that isn’t going to happen if said foot is covered in spelling mistakes. HR managers go through hundreds and hundreds of resumes, and it simply saves time to eliminate resumes that are unintelligible or have spelling mistakes.
If you’re not a writing pro, make sure to use spellcheck before sending your resume off. It is also a good idea to have a friend or family member review your resume to catch any spelling or grammar mistakes you might have overlooked.
- Unprofessional Email Address
CareerBuilder notes that 35% of HR managers move on when they see an unprofessional email address. The thing to note here is that an HR manager has to put your email into the send field. So do you really want to make them type in chunkymunky91@email.com? It’s also harder for them to remember your email address if it doesn’t have your first and last name in it.
- A Lack of Numbers
Thirty-four percent of HR managers pass on resumes because of a lack of quantifiable results. They don’t just want to know what you did at previous jobs; they want to know what you accomplished. So instead of saying you “served customers with a smile,” maybe you “served customers with a smile, leading to a 70% increase in daily sales.” HR managers want to see how you helped the company make money.
So, remember, at the end of the day, HR managers are your friend. You want to make hiring you as easy as possible, and that starts with an error-free resume.
Any other resume mistakes you try to avoid? Let us know in the comments section below!
