According to the statistics, recruiters review each incoming resume for 7.4 seconds. You have to impress the hiring manager within a limited time frame, so your number one goal should be to avoid the most common mistakes. Here’s what you can do to check your resume for errors and improve it right now:
Optimize resume length
Most recruters agree that ideal resume length is 1-2 pages. A one-page resume is good for entry-level professionals and those making a career change. A two-page document is perfect for experienced job-seekers and managers. If your document is longer than 2 pages, consider removing old jobs or irrelevant details.
Remove cliches and buzzwords
People often write career summaries using words like “go-getter, proactive, result-driven, team player”, etc. It’s best to avoid such words whatsoever, and instead list specific results or areas of expertise. A top resume shows specific results rather than gives loud claims.
Add powerful resume verbs
Don’t overuse words like “managed, responsible for” and others when describing job duties. Vary the word choice for better readability. Use such great resume words like “orchestrated, directed, initiated” as they emphasize your impact and contribution.
Focus on accomplishments, not tasks
To truly impress the recruiters, pay special attention to results and achievements over work history. Add figures, percentages, number of people you managed, and more. If you provide specific results, you will be seen as a competent professional and a result-oriented individual, which is valued highly by employers.
Keep job descriptions concise
There’s no need to fit all your professional experience into one resume. Ideally, the resume should be targeted for a specific job posting. So, you can confidently remove the irrelevant or not very important job duties. Ideally, each job description should take 6-7 bullets.
Add relevant skills
It is helpful to add a skills list to a resume because such a list summarizes your main qualifications, and the recruiter can scan them quickly. The ideal place for Skills section is above professional experience. However, make sure that you can explain how you used each of these skills in your professional activity.
Use an online spell checker
Employers don’t like resumes full of typos and poor grammar. So, it will do you any harm to proofread the written resume using a spell checking software. Online tools can fix typos, missed commas, incorrect tense and other writing issues. Of course, this isn’t an interview guarantee, but a well-written resume will definitely increase your chances.
Don’t stretch the truth
Sometimes job-seekers add qualifications they don’t have or claim to have worked for some famous company just to get an interview. Such an approach might bring you an interview invitation, but the consequences are unpleasant. Once the recruiter does a background check, you can miss the chance for a job.