Resume Killers: 7 Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Typos & Grammar Issues

• The Problem: Explain how even minor errors undermine your professionalism and attention to detail.
• Why it Matters: Hiring managers often take this as a sign of laziness or lack of care.
• The Fix:
  • Multiple proofreads (by yourself, and ideally someone else).
  • Use grammar checkers (Grammarly, etc.) BUT don’t rely on them entirely.
  • Read your resume aloud to catch awkward phrasing.

Mistake 2: Generic, Buzzword-Filled Descriptions

• The Problem: Phrases like “team player” and “results-oriented” are overused and meaningless.
• Why it Matters: Recruiters see through this fluff; they want specifics.
• The Fix:
  • Focus on quantifiable results (“Increased sales by 15%”)
  • Use action verbs to convey what you DID.
  • Tailor descriptions to match the keywords in the job ad.

Mistake 3: Irrelevant Work History

• The Problem: Listing every job ever held clogs up your resume.
• Why it Matters: Focus is key; highlight what aligns with your target job.
• The Fix:
  • Older roles get briefer summaries, focus on transferable skills.
  • Freelance/side gigs ONLY if they demonstrate relevant skills
  • If totally unrelated: “Additional Work Experience Available Upon Request”

Mistake 4: Confusing Formatting

• The Problem: Fancy fonts, dense text, inconsistent spacing hurt readability.
• Why it Matters: If your resume is hard to scan, your skills might get overlooked.
• The Fix:
  • Clean fonts (Arial, Helvetica, etc.)
  • Clear headings, bullet points, white space.
  • PDF format to preserve layout.