Are you getting next-to-no response from sending your resume to prospective employers? Your resume is often the only way that companies and recruitment firms can learn about you, so this document has to count. If you are getting nothing but silence after sending your resume to countless employers, staffing firms, and more – perhaps your resume has become a total flop.
How can you know if your resume is a failure? Here are some elements that can signal trouble on a resume you need to remedy … and fast!
Grammar, Spelling, and Formatting Mistakes
This is a major “no-no.” If you have grammar or spelling mistakes on your resume, it can make you look very ignorant to hiring managers. So too can a poorly organized resume or one that’s too cluttered to read. Take the time to work with a qualified resume writer to set your resume up on a professional-looking template, and to eliminate any potential errors. Have a friend or mentor proofread your resume before you send it out. This also goes for cover letters and other job-related material that you may be sending to potential employers.
Dates of Employment are Wrong, Gaps Don’t Make Sense
Seasoned recruiters will be looking for problems like job dates that don’t make sense, and gaps in employment history. You will want to make sure that none of your dates of employment overlap with other jobs. If you have had time periods in between employment, make sure anything over 30 days is documented. You can just include a note that mentions that you were searching for a job, attending classes, or volunteering in your community.
Your Resume Reads Like a Job Description
If you are using a resume that is basically a rundown of all the job tasks that you’ve performed, you are missing the point. A resume’s purpose is to highlight your progression in a career. For each job, provide a brief description that is short and to the point. Then underneath, provide at least one to three achievements, awards, or other recognitions that you earned on the job. For example, “increased sales for my department by 20 percent.” Wherever possible, use tangible numbers.
Job History Goes Too Far Back in Time
Your resume could be a big flop because it is dating you. Although it is illegal to discriminate against older working professionals, it does happen in a subtle way all the time. Make sure you do not go past 10 years in your work history on a resume. If you have other work experience that is relevant to the job that you are applying for, save this information for the job interview.
Need more help creating a successful resume, or finding a new job in Mississippi? Contact the staffing experts at TempStaff today!