Guest contribution: May Wee
Senior Lecturer, School of Life Skills and Communication
Singapore Polytechnic
Senior Lecturer, School of Life Skills and Communication
Singapore Polytechnic
Resume Writing – Common Mistakes and How to Polish Up One's Resume
Have you ever wondered why some resumes submitted in response to a job advertisement never got a reply from the recruiters?
Other than the fact that the company replies only to shortlisted applicants, it is possible that those resumes contained some glaring errors that should not have been there if the applicants had been more careful! These mistakes are the reason recruiters reject the applications within 6 to 10 seconds!
Other than the fact that the company replies only to shortlisted applicants, it is possible that those resumes contained some glaring errors that should not have been there if the applicants had been more careful! These mistakes are the reason recruiters reject the applications within 6 to 10 seconds!
What are some common mistakes in resumes?
What do recruiters look for in a resume?
What are some do's and don'ts when writing a resume?
Here's a list of 10 mistakes spotted in a resume and what to do to correct them.
What do recruiters look for in a resume?
What are some do's and don'ts when writing a resume?
Here's a list of 10 mistakes spotted in a resume and what to do to correct them.
1
Use of inappropriate fonts
Use of inappropriate fonts, especially those that look like italics (e.g. blackadder) which are hard to make out for fast reading and scanning.
Here's what the above looks like with the blackadder font:
Here's what the above looks like with the blackadder font:
Use appropriate, clear fonts
Use clear font such as Arial, Georgia and Roboto. Use appropriate font sizes, for example:
Full Name (at least 24)
Summary (16-20)
Text within section (at least 11)
Full Name (at least 24)
Summary (16-20)
Text within section (at least 11)
2
Poorly written profile or summary
Poorly written profile or summary that is too clichéd, vague, unsuitably pitched or exaggerated, especially if applicant is a first time job seeker. e.g. "Highly enthusiastic / dedicated / accomplished ... looking to value add to the company by …. " or
"I am a responsible and hardworking person who is looking for a job to gain experience. I hope to contribute to the company by applying what I have learnt from school ..."
"I am a responsible and hardworking person who is looking for a job to gain experience. I hope to contribute to the company by applying what I have learnt from school ..."
Have a clear summary
A summary or profile statement should be limited to 3-4 lines and include experience, achievements, skills and qualities relevant to the job duties listed in the job ad. No need for full sentences beginning with 'I am….'.
Try including these in your profile statement:
Try including these in your profile statement:
- Two or three words to describe your qualities / strong character traits
- Current job title and professional experience, or job status (e.g. fresh graduate)
- The relevant knowledge / skills you have to do the work and help the company meet goals.
3
Spelling and grammatical errors
A common mistake to make when one is rushing to put together a resume and not making time and effort to do a good and careful job of checking the resume.
Typo and grammatical errors make an applicant look less credible, careless and not 'detail-oriented', thus quickly eliminating the applicant, if these traits are important to the recruiters.
Typo and grammatical errors make an applicant look less credible, careless and not 'detail-oriented', thus quickly eliminating the applicant, if these traits are important to the recruiters.
Double check for spelling and grammatical errors
Take care to check spelling and grammar when unsure, and to edit your resume when you have completed putting the information together in response to a job advertisement. If you are too familiar with what you have written to be able to spot errors, ask someone: a family member or a good friend, to read through your work, if necessary.
4
Leaving blanks in a section
Leaving blanks in a section e.g. 'Work Experience' or forgetting to delete a bullet point without information, is another bad error to make in a resume, especially if the position requires an applicant to be 'meticulous'.
Such errors discredit and disqualify the applicant almost immediately!
No recruiter will contact the applicant to check if the applicant has forgotten anything important or relevant!
Such errors discredit and disqualify the applicant almost immediately!
No recruiter will contact the applicant to check if the applicant has forgotten anything important or relevant!
Don't leave any blanks!
Make sure you remove any unwanted bullets or sections. Do a thorough job of checking your resume; look at it in print layout and save the final draft in pdf version!
5
Not addressing some of the requirements for the position
Not addressing some of the requirements of the job advertisement for the position – i.e. stating information that is common such that the applicant blends in with rather than stands out from the rest of the applicants.
If a recruiter cannot quickly identify specific and relevant information on skills, qualities, experience and achievements needed for the position, the resume will be rejected within 10 seconds!
If a recruiter cannot quickly identify specific and relevant information on skills, qualities, experience and achievements needed for the position, the resume will be rejected within 10 seconds!
Tailor your resume to the job scope
It is important to customise / tailor your resume with information that specifically addresses the job requirements for the position applied. Better still, the information should help make the applicant stand out in a crowd – in a positive way.
Recruiters don't want obvious and general information; they want to know if you have what they are looking for and if you can do the job required of you.
Instead of stating vaguely that you have 'done F&B related work' or 'worked in F&B outlet' for a few months, rephrase your experience as 'supervised and trained 3-5 trainees in customer service skills and daily routine of operating a café.'
Recruiters don't want obvious and general information; they want to know if you have what they are looking for and if you can do the job required of you.
Instead of stating vaguely that you have 'done F&B related work' or 'worked in F&B outlet' for a few months, rephrase your experience as 'supervised and trained 3-5 trainees in customer service skills and daily routine of operating a café.'
6
Listing job scope or duties using noun phrases
Merely listing job scope or duties using noun phrases such as 'Accounts payable and Accounts receivable', 'customer service', etc.
Another mistake is repeating a list of duties for 2 to 3 similar job positions, to the point where the resume is 2 to 3 pages when it should ideally be just 1 page.
Another mistake is repeating a list of duties for 2 to 3 similar job positions, to the point where the resume is 2 to 3 pages when it should ideally be just 1 page.
Use power verbs to describe your skills
Instead of using noun phrases which tends to make a resume generic, it is better to use power verbs (action words) to highlight skills, strengths and achievements where possible so that the resume is unique and the applicant stands out as a suitable candidate.
When listing job scope for similar positions in different companies, an applicant should take the opportunity to show improvement in confidence, skills in handling the same job by highlighting good performance, accomplishments, etc.
When listing job scope for similar positions in different companies, an applicant should take the opportunity to show improvement in confidence, skills in handling the same job by highlighting good performance, accomplishments, etc.
7
Providing unnecessary information
Providing unnecessary information in a section e.g. details of examination results and CCA participation and leadership experiences under 'Qualification' or 'Education'.
For the recruiter, identifying that leadership trait could well be like looking for a needle in a hay-stack! The recruiter could also perceive the applicant as someone lacking in organisation skills.
For the recruiter, identifying that leadership trait could well be like looking for a needle in a hay-stack! The recruiter could also perceive the applicant as someone lacking in organisation skills.
Only include relevant, concise information
Section headings should be clear and their contents concise and focused.
It is better to use separate sections for CCA participation, achievements and leadership qualities where appropriate.
It is better to use separate sections for CCA participation, achievements and leadership qualities where appropriate.
8
Poor layout of resume
Poor layout – disorganised; too cluttered; inconsistent spacing; heavy with text running from left to right of the resume like an essay.
This visually unappealing resume will surely be discarded within 10 seconds!
This visually unappealing resume will surely be discarded within 10 seconds!
Organise your resume well
An outstanding resume is one that contains sufficient and relevant information, concisely presented with some infographics where appropriate. The sections should also be suitably spaced out with the use of 1 or 2 colours to give visual appeal.
Google sample resume templates from MS Word to get an idea of a well-balanced and visually appealing layout.
Google sample resume templates from MS Word to get an idea of a well-balanced and visually appealing layout.
9
Inappropriate photographs
Photographs are not usually required in a resume, unless specifically asked for in the job ad.
Photographs showing applicants in school uniform, party attire, with a funny or stern look or even with an inappropriate background setting, could be a reason for rejecting the applicant, especially if the position requires someone mature, pleasant and professional looking!
Photographs showing applicants in school uniform, party attire, with a funny or stern look or even with an inappropriate background setting, could be a reason for rejecting the applicant, especially if the position requires someone mature, pleasant and professional looking!
Use a recently taken photo that shows you in a professional setting
This is not the time to be thrifty and use up old photographs, to take your own selfies, or to be creative and look cute or unique! The photograph should be recently taken so it clearly resembles you; it should also make you look like someone who is capable of doing the job advertised – even if you are a fresh graduate with limited experience. The photograph should show the applicant appropriately attired in office wear, appear neat and confident.
10
Incorrect mobile number and email address
If the resume is outstanding and meets the requirements of the job ad, but there is an error in the contact details, there is no way the recruiter can get in touch with the applicant.
If the applicant had responded to 100 jobs with the same contact details copied and pasted from the first resume to the last customised one, the applicant may be frustrated as to why there has not been any response to even one application!
The truth is, someone else could be getting those calls or emails!
If the applicant had responded to 100 jobs with the same contact details copied and pasted from the first resume to the last customised one, the applicant may be frustrated as to why there has not been any response to even one application!
The truth is, someone else could be getting those calls or emails!
Ensure your contact details are correct
One's contact details may be the easiest and fastest piece of information to provide in the resume, but please ensure it is correct! Take time to check the number, upper or lower case, dash or underscore, etc.
Although it is rare for one to provide both incorrect personal mobile number and email address, consider providing a home telephone number as a third alternative – and make sure it is correct!
Although it is rare for one to provide both incorrect personal mobile number and email address, consider providing a home telephone number as a third alternative – and make sure it is correct!
Now that you are aware of the many mistakes that can get resumes tossed into the bin, and more importantly, how to avoid these mistakes, apply these tips to grab the attention of the recruiters such that they would want to meet you for an interview!
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