What common mistakes do you see in resumes, and how do you help clients avoid them?

When people write resumes, they often make some common mistakes. Here are a few I see a lot and how I help fix them:

1. Not Changing the Resume for Each Job: Many folks send the same resume to every job. It’s better to change it a bit for each job, highlighting the skills and experience that fit what the employer wants.
2. Typos and Errors: Small mistakes can stand out and look unprofessional. I remind my clients to read their resumes carefully and maybe ask a friend to check for mistakes too.
3. Too Much Information: Some people include every job they’ve ever had, which can be overwhelming. I help them focus on the most important jobs and successes, especially ones that relate to the job they want.
4. Messy Layout: A busy resume can be hard to read. I suggest using a clean format with clear headings so it looks neat and organized.
5. Not Highlighting Skills: Sometimes people forget to show their skills on the resume. I work with clients to point out their best skills, so they stand out.
6. Unprofessional Email Addresses: An awkward email address can look unprofessional. I recommend using a simple, clean email that sounds professional.
7. Including Unrelated Jobs: Listing every job, even if it’s not related, can distract from the important stuff. I help clients focus on the jobs that matter for the position they want.
8. Weak Words: Using boring language makes a resume less impressive. I encourage clients to use strong action words to show what they’ve done.

1. Too many words: Wordy resume is just too boring to read, most times you come across repetitions and irrelevant lines that doesn't impact the resume. 

Solution: Optimize effectively with only relevant keywords.

2. Lengthy resume: Most times, you see 6 pages and even mores, that's a turn off.

Solution: Write it down to 2 pages at most using only relevant content.

3. Lack of contact in the resume

Solution: The resume should have easily accessible contact details, including email and phone.

4. Poor formatting: This is common with most of the resume I've worked on.

Solution: I use a clean and modern layout with the Calibri font to ensure readability and smooth flow of the resume.

Common mistakes in resumes include lack of focus, generic summaries, poor formatting, and insufficient quantifiable achievements. I address these by tailoring content to the job, crafting compelling summaries, ensuring clear and professional formatting, and emphasizing measurable accomplishments to showcase impact. This approach creates resumes that resonate with employers and increase job-seeking success.

1. Lack of Customization

Mistake: Sending the same generic resume for every job application.

Solution:
I guide clients to tailor each resume to the specific job description by highlighting relevant skills, experiences, and keywords. Using a targeted summary and aligning content with the job’s requirements increases relevance and impact.

2. Overloading with Information

Mistake: Including irrelevant or excessive details, making the resume cluttered and difficult to read.

Solution:
I streamline resumes by emphasizing key accomplishments and skills relevant to the role. Clear formatting and concise language ensure the document is focused and digestible.

3. Poor Formatting and Design

Mistake: Using inconsistent formatting, unprofessional fonts, or overly creative designs for formal industries.

Solution:
I create visually appealing resumes with consistent formatting, professional fonts, and a layout that balances aesthetics with readability. For creative fields, I integrate subtle design elements without compromising professionalism.

4. Vague Descriptions of Roles

Mistake: Listing job responsibilities instead of quantifiable achievements.

Solution:
I craft accomplishment-driven bullet points, using metrics and action verbs to showcase the client’s impact. For example, replacing "Managed a team" with "Led a team of 10, increasing productivity by 15% over six months."

5. Ignoring ATS Optimization

Mistake: Failing to include keywords from the job description, leading to rejection by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Solution:
I optimize resumes with industry-specific keywords and phrases while ensuring they sound natural and professional, increasing the chances of passing ATS scans.

6. Typos and Grammatical Errors

Mistake: Spelling mistakes, inconsistent tense, and grammatical errors create a poor impression.

Solution:
I thoroughly proofread every resume and use tools like Grammarly to ensure a polished and error-free document. Consistency in tense (e.g., past tense for past roles) is also maintained.

7. Unprofessional Email or Contact Details

Mistake: Using casual or outdated email addresses or omitting LinkedIn profile links.

Solution:
I advise clients to use a professional email address and include relevant contact information, such as a LinkedIn profile or portfolio link.

8. Missing or Weak Summary

Mistake: Failing to include a summary or using one that is generic and uninspiring.

Solution:
I write compelling summaries that clearly articulate the client’s value proposition, career goals, and key skills, tailored to the job role.

9. Misrepresentation of Skills

Mistake: Exaggerating or lying about skills and achievements.

Solution:
I ensure the resume reflects the client’s genuine abilities and accomplishments. If certain skills or experiences need emphasis, I use strategic phrasing to highlight transferable skills or relevant projects.

10. Outdated Information

Mistake: Including old, irrelevant roles or skills, such as obsolete technologies.

Solution:
I focus on recent and impactful experiences, trimming outdated or irrelevant information. For older roles, I summarize them in a "Previous Experience" section if necessary.

11. Failure to Quantify Impact

Mistake: Not using numbers to demonstrate achievements.

Solution:
I help clients quantify their contributions, such as "Increased sales by 20%" or "Reduced operational costs by $50,000 annually," to provide concrete evidence of their value.

12. Neglecting Soft Skills

Mistake: Focusing only on technical skills and overlooking soft skills like leadership or communication.

Solution:
I balance technical and soft skills, emphasizing how interpersonal strengths contribute to the client’s success in their roles.

13. Ignoring Gaps or Transitions

Mistake: Leaving employment gaps unexplained or poorly addressing career transitions.

Solution:
I frame employment gaps positively by highlighting activities like freelancing, professional development, or volunteer work. For career transitions, I emphasize transferable skills and relevant achievements.

By identifying these pitfalls and applying strategic solutions, I empower clients to present their most polished and impactful resumes, ensuring they stand out in the competitive job market.

Here are some common mistakes I see most clients' resume;

1. Using fancy or colorful designs
2. Multiple fonts in a single document
3. Misleading or unclear information 
4. Poor formatting
5. Omitting a professional summary
6. Ignoring Quantifiable Achievement

I normally take my time to understand the buyer's desired job role, then I first write a rough draft, then I format it, proofread and then incorporate ATS-Keywords where needed.

1. Not quantifying impact of your work. By including specific numbers to your resume where possible, you're able to better communicate the magnitude of your responsibilities and contributions. My clients will be highly encouraged to ad numerical metrics to their achievements. The results can be night and day!
2. Including unrelated work experience. More content isn't always better. Imagine that recruiters and hiring managers only have 10-15 seconds to read through your resume. Every line should earn its place. My approach is to tie each bullet point to a skill mentioned in the job description. 
3. Not tailoring resumes for a the target job description. While it is easier to blast out dozens of applications using a generic resume, taking the time and effort to tailor each application to the indivudal roles will get you a higher conversion rate.

Lack of focus.

Your resume needs to tell a story that speaks directly to the jobs you are targeting. Even if you are doing a career pivot - and in that case, switch from a chronological resume to a functional one. 

Too many details - goes too far back.

A resume is a summary of your most recent 10-15 years of work history. It is not a CV (or at least what a CV is in the US. CVs in other countries are what we refer to as resumes in the US (so as not to confuse international readers!).  

No accomplishments.

Too many resumes read like a copy/paste of a job description and lack any achievements in the role. If everyone's resumes look the same, how does a hiring manager pick who to interview? 

Common resume mistakes I have encountered when reviewing resumes/CVs and how to avoid them:

1. Typos and grammatical errors: Proofread carefully and use tools like Grammarly
2. Generic content: Tailor resume for each job application
3. Focusing on duties rather than achievements: Use quantifiable results and highlight specific accomplishments
4. Outdated or irrelevant information: Keep content recent and job-relevant
5. Poor formatting: Use a consistent, clean layout with a clear hierarchy
6. Excessive length: Aim for 1-2 pages, prioritizing the most important information
7. Missing keywords: Incorporate relevant industry and job-specific terms
8. Unprofessional email address: Use a simple, professional email
9. Inconsistent tense or voice: Maintain consistent past tense for previous jobs
10. Lack of specificity: Provide concrete examples of skills and experiences

I help clients avoid these by reviewing their resumes critically, offering specific feedback, and educating them on best practices in resume writing.

If you have more questions, please ask me directly