{"id":152028,"date":"2020-02-18T09:36:27","date_gmt":"2020-02-18T14:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/?p=152028"},"modified":"2024-03-26T18:57:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T22:57:49","slug":"10-resume-mistakes-employers-hate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/telecommuting-job-search-help\/cover-letters-resumes\/10-resume-mistakes-employers-hate\/","title":{"rendered":"Resume Mistakes: 10 Errors Employers Will Not Overlook"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated March 2024<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your resume is your primary marketing tool for any job search. It’s what introduces you and establishes your credentials. And when digital platforms can filter out resumes based on keywords and formatting, it’s crucial that yours stands out. It is also the main pathway from a job post to an interview. Avoiding common pitfalls not only enhances your chances of being noticed but also demonstrates your attention to detail and seriousness about the position. You don’t want your resume to cost you a job you want because you made one of these rookie resume mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Busy Recruiters Quickly Weed Out Resumes with Mistakes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recruiters and hiring managers are very busy and have little time to devote to each resume that crosses their desk. In fact, they often look for reasons to discard a portion of the resumes they receive. Doing this helps narrow the applicant pool. While this process comes at the risk of losing a few good applicants, most employers find it is, ultimately, worth the sacrifice. Of course, you don’t want that trashed resume to be yours. The best way to avoid this problem is to remain aware of these resume mistakes and check your own vigilantly for errors or an employer will hate your resume even before they open it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with the basics. Make sure you’re not committing these job search faux pas that may cause potential employers to not even open your message:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Employers May Delete Your Unopened Message for These Resume Mistakes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. <\/strong>An unprofessional email address<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your application pops up in the inbox of a potential employer or in the applicant tracking system (ATS), it is important that they see a professional-looking email address. Hotmama12 will not cut it. A combination of your first and last name with a recognized email provider such as @gmail is your best option. Do not use numbers, dates, or other descriptors \u2014 as much as possible. Naturally, if your name is John, you will need to get a little creative to develop a unique email address. If this is your situation, try and keep it simple, and don\u2019t use your birthday numbers for security and privacy reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. <\/strong>Inappropriate file names<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Second to your email, the quickest way to lose a hiring manager’s attention is with the file name of your resume<\/a> document. Your job search may generate a lot of computer files between saving the job ads and customizing your resumes and cover letters. However, it’s important to use a different file name when applying for jobs than the one you use to keep your personal computer files organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential employers are kind of like potential suitors, it’s important to make each one feel like they are the only one. For example, naming your resume \u201cSally Baines Writer Jobs Resume 2019\u201d implies you not only have applied to many other jobs this year, but that you may be looking at other kinds of jobs too. Conversely, if you name your resume \u201cresume.doc,\u201d not only are you advertising that this is an entirely generic resume, you make it hard for your document to stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your resume should be titled, \u201cFirstname Lastname Resume.\u201d If you want to make things really easy for hiring managers, include the job title or number you are applying for, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. <\/strong>Long introductory email<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The email you send with your resume attached is a big determinant of whether or not a potential employer opens your attached resume. Unfortunately, the rules are less cut and dried in this instance. Some advocate an email as cover letter approach<\/a> while others will say it\u2019s better to attach a cover letter with your resume. In either case, it\u2019s important to be brief and to the point. An email will be slightly less formal than a cover letter. But you still have to be articulate and cover the main points you want to get across while using less space to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. <\/strong>Not following application instructions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest resume mistakes you can make and one that can cause your immediate disqualification as a candidate is not following application instructions. If the instructions request you make the email subject title something specific, then do so. If you don\u2019t want to follow the instructions provided, save yourself some time and do not apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some instances where you may decide not to apply because of the application instructions. There are definitely instances where the instructions may give you pause. For example, if they are requesting references with your initial application. This may involve notifications and getting permissions before you even know if they are interested. In a situation like this, consider the job and the company. Are they worth the extra work for you? If not, move on instead of applying. If so, follow the instructions as asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Resume Mistakes That Cause Employers to Delete Your Message<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you examined the aspects of an application that a potential employer will hate before they even open your resume, let’s look at what resume mistakes will take you out of the running after they open the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. <\/strong>Too much fluff and stuff<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, potential employers hate things like emojis, bitmojis, photos, and graphics on your resume<\/a> because they are unprofessional and not relevant to the job at hand. In addition, ATS software systems find many graphics and images difficult to read. Your resume may be disqualified because the computer software finds it too challenging to examine. If you do include a graph that illustrates your accomplishments, be sure to include that data in your text, too, so the ATS can read it. Otherwise, you might not be considered for the position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is important to know your industry and the position you are applying for. Sometimes creativity on your resume is appropriate<\/a>, especially in the creative professions. In addition, if you have occasion to give out your printed resume by hand (say at a job fair), you can sometimes create a more visually attractive resume to help you stand out in a pile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. <\/strong>Boring and generic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being boring and generic may actually guarantee employers overlook you. Imagine what it must be like to read resume after resume for hours on end. It\u2019s important to take a few minutes with your resume to add a little style. There are two ways to make your resume stand out \u2014 format and language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n