Crafting an outstanding resume is essential for landing your dream job, and avoiding common mistakes can make all the difference in your job application journey! From formatting to proofreading, there are dozens of easy-to-fix mistakes that can keep you from getting the right role for you. Less is often more, so follow this guide to ensure that you have less errors in your resume and more job opportunities will be open to you!
Common Formatting Mistakes That Can Lead to a Quick Skip
Creating a standout resume is all about mastering the art of formatting, and with the right tips, you can craft a clean layout that truly shines! Even if you are overqualified for a role, a messy resume can lead to you being skipped over entirely.
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Cluttered designs often overwhelm the reader before they even get to the content itself
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Prioritize a professional design that showcases your skills without overwhelming the reader
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Maintain ample white space to prevent cluttered sections
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Long blocks of text without headlines or section breaks will prevent your experience from shining through
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Use clear headings and bullet points to break up information, making it easy for hiring managers to skim through your qualifications.
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Inconsistent font styles and sizes will distract hiring professionals from the content of your resume
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Stick with classic options like Arial or Calibri for crispness
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Remember that every element counts in creating an impressive first impression. By following these resume formatting tips, you’ll ensure your document stands out for all the right reasons while effectively communicating your strengths!
Cluttered Content
If your formatting is clean, the next reason your resume may be skipped over is the content. Even if you are qualified, a resume that does not sell your experiences well will fall flat when the time comes.
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The dreaded “generic” objective statement will fall flat
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Personalize your objective statement with a new tone to come across as fresh
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Add keywords from the company’s website to highlight how your values match theirs to stick out right away
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Poorly written content
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Err on the side of caution if something does not sound right
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Utilize grammar checking tools online to ensure that your resume reads well
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Lack of quantifiable achievements
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Numbers, metrics, titles, and other achievements stand out and highlight exceptional experience more so than descriptors would
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Your best achievements should always be easy to find with a quick glance
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How to Boost Your Resume
Making sure that your resume is seen by the hiring team can be difficult, but ensuring that you do not fall to any of these common content and formatting mistakes is a great start! The best way to boost your resume, though, is to work with dedicated and experienced recruiters at Radius Staffing Solutions. Our recruiters have connections across the country and are ready to help you find and secure the job of your dreams! Send in an updated resume or apply directly to one of our open opportunities on our job board to get started today!