Print This Article Post Comment Add To Favorites Email to Friends Ezine Ready

Resume Writing Mistakes Can Kill Your Job Search Prospects

By: Amy Savage Home | Business | Careers-Employment


Have you ever submitted a resume only to realize too late that there was a resume writing error in your materials? If so, you may know all too well the consequences. Resume writing mistakes devastate job searches, according to Certified Professional Resume Writers. In fact, according to a recent survey, 84% of hiring professionals would reject a candidate who had just one or two typographical errors on their cover letter or resume.

Avoiding resume writing mistakes may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised to know that we see candidate-written resumes with errors on a daily basis. Fortunately, these devastating resume writing consequences are 100% avoidable. With close attention to detail and careful proofing of your resume writing materials, you can avoid these resume writing pitfalls.

The most important thing to do in resume writing is to proofread your resume many times over. Do not rely only on your own proofreading skills. Instead, enlist the help of others to go over your resume writing materials. Contact a career services professional, a friend in hiring or human resources, or a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). Often someone who is viewing a document for the first time will see errors that your eyes might gloss over.

When you are proofing your resume writing, remember that effective resume writing focuses on your achievements. Still, it is a mistake to itemize all of your achievements. If you flipped more burgers than any other cook, that is great and it may have landed you your next job. If that was 20 years ago, however, listing the achievement may indicate to a potential employer that you peaked 20 years ago. Employers want resume writing to answer the question: What have you done lately that fits the job?

After writing a convincing resume, you need to write a convincing cover letter. The same rules apply. Because many people send a different cover letter for each job application, however, it is often more common that mistakes show up in a cover letter than in a resume. Still, cover letter mistakes can have the same effect as resume writing mistakes †you will lose the interview.

Another common error in resume writing and cover letter writing is using a font too small to read, in an effort to get as much content as possible on a single page. If the font is too small, then people will not be interested in reading it. It also gives the appearance that the writer is disorganized and unable to prioritize his or her thoughts and incapable of selecting the most important information to highlight on the resume.

A word of caution: resume writing can take many hours. It is sometimes draining but necessary. Think about the years of effort you have put into your education, training, and career. The investment in building your resume is miniscule in comparison.




Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com

About the Author:
If you have a perfect resume, you will stand out from the pool of mediocre candidates with lackluster resume writing materials. If you want a convincing resume, contact leading Certified Professional Resume Writer, Amy Savage, CPRW at ConvincingResumes.com. You can reach her at amy@convincingresumes.com or (703) 937-7023.

Tags: , , ,

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Careers-Employment Articles Via RSS!

Recent Related Articles From Careers-Employment

  • The Art Of Cover Letter Writing
    By: Gen Wright | Nov 24th 2008
    Writing a powerful cover letter can be quite easy when you know the proper format. This article explains how to write a powerful cover letter. Read

  • How Do I Write A Cover Letter To Get More Interviews?
    By: Kathleen Tremblay | Jul 6th 2009
    If you have been asking "How do I write a cover letter to get more interviews?" then congratulations! That means you are one of only a few who truly understand the role that a good cover letter has in your ability to getting job interviews! In this article, we will touch on two very important keys to writing a good cover le ... Read

  • Cover Letter Writing: The Secret To Getting Your Dream Job

    What is the first thing your future potential employer will see? Is it your resume? Your shiny black leather shoes? You in your nice new suit?

    Nope.

    Even before your future employer sees your resume, he/she will see your cover letter. In fact your cover letter may be more important than your re ...
    Read

  • Nine Critical Elements Of An Interview-generating Cover Letter
    By: Michelle Dumas | Apr 10th 2011
    Cover letters to accompany a resume are an essential but often neglected part of the job search process. These nine tips will help you write an interview-generating cover letter. Read

  • How To Write A Cover Letter: 10 Easy And Effective Cover Letter Tips
    By: Adam Waxler | Jun 18th 2007
    Want to know how to write a cover letter? Here are 10 tips for writing a cover letter... Read

  • Cover Letter Writing Tips
    By: Lawrence Washington | Mar 1st 2011
    When applying for a job cover letter should be sent to your resume. Your letter must be specific to the position you are applying for related skills and experience of those mentioned in the vacancy. Read

  • Effective Cover Letter Writing
    By: Ernest King | Nov 13th 2010
    Cover letters are not fillers. They create the first impression in the employer's mind. While resumes tend to be similar in outline and content, a well constructed cover letter acts like the landing page of a website. Read

  • How To Write A Great Cover Letter
    By: John Edmond | Feb 8th 2007
    Many people think that cover letters are a wasted effort and that employers skip right to the resume, but the truth is that a cover letter is the first thing an employer sees as a representation of who you are and needs to catch their interest and look professional. Read

  • Cover Letter Mistake #3: Call Me Because I Won't Call You

    The last paragraph of your cover letter can be very powerful. How you end it could leave a lasting impression with the employer good or bad. So before you sign off using your typical, Please call me at your earliest convenience to set up an interview" kind of mumbo-jumbo, take care to let the employer off the hook and pu ... Read

  • Cover Letter Mistake #2: Who Are You And Why Should I Interview You?

    Have you ever been reading some piece of literature and as you're reading you realize you have no idea what the point of the whole piece actually is? It's very annoying and you're likely not to read another word because you feel like you've already wasted your time.

    Have you thought about what a hiring manage ...
    Read


Copyright © 2005-2011 eArticlesOnline, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy