Did you know that the average amount of time a recruiter spends reviewing your resume is a mere 6 seconds?
Yes, that right, only SIX SECONDS.
That number may seem harsh to you, but to put this into perspective, the average job posting receives about 75-100 applicants and can climb as high as a few hundred for more common roles. That 6 seconds doesn't seem so unrealistic now does it?
So how do we pass that 6-second review successfully? Well, let me tell you everything NOT TO INCLUDE when writing a resume.
1. A Photo of Yourself
I honestly can't tell you how many resumes I personally review with people's pictures pasted in the header. Your resume is meant to showcase your skills and experiences, not your amazing good looks. Posting your photo when not required can lead to direct and indirect discrimination from an employer. In this case, you are opening yourself up to discrimination based on sex, age, weight, attractiveness, race, and many other factors. Some will argue that this is a huge faux pas and I will tell you, right off the bat, I 100% agree, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I wish I could say that all employers treat all candidates equally but the reality is, they don't. So unless you are applying to become a model or start a career in show business, let's keep the focus on your real talents and the experiences you have worked so hard to gain. We want to know about YOU, not what you look like.
2. Personal Information
Ok, here is another one I see more often than I would like to. Many candidates include their life stories on the front page before we even have a chance to get to the information that matters. Candidates include personal information such as marital status, their date of birth, religious beliefs, number of children and their ages, oh and the list goes on. First off, for all you job seekers out there, it is actually ILLEGAL for any employers to ask you that type of information. Second, this may seem harsh but the truth is, no one cares. As I mentioned at the start, you have SIX seconds to make someone keep reading. Let's focus that prime real estate on things that matter.
3. Too Much Text
With a 6 second review time, we need to keep things as simple and visually appealing as possible, while still providing all the necessary information. When listing the responsibilities below each job experience, focus on using short bullet points to showcase your time. Write clear and effective sentences. DO NOT write a paragraph and include every minute detail. Try to keep each role to a maximum of 5-6 points and only focusing on key factors that really matter.
4. Unorganized Sections
This one may seem straightforward, but I will tell you from first-hand experience, that everyone's definition of organization is very different. If possible, divide your resume into sections that are easily visible upon first glance. Some clear section headings include:
Contact Information: phone number, email (and please for the love of sunshine, ditch that email you've had since high school and get something more professional), LinkedIn profile link, and website if applicable.
Education: add your education in the most recent order.
Skills: a bullet point list quickly visible of the top skills that would relate to the job you are applying for.
Experience: well this part is pretty straightforward. A quick note on the experience section. When adding the time spent in each role, include if the role was permanent or contract. Many employers check the tenure of time spent at a candidate's previous roles. They often will bypass candidates that jump from job to job. If you have worked mostly on contract roles, STATE THAT! Every little detail counts.
5. Too Much Creativity
Some people may disagree with me on this depending on the job but I firmly believe the resume should still remain professional, simple, and CLEAR. With creative roles, such as any sort of designer, I often see fancy resumes that are EXTREMELY difficult on the eyes and frankly, some that just don't convert properly in different ATS's (Applicant Tracking Systems). What often ends up happening is they become distorted and are unreadable, quickly moving your hard work to the trash bin. Save your creativity for your portfolio. Showcase anything and everything you have ever made in a more clear and concise format and link it to your application. Just keep the resume out of it.
6. Sliding Scales & GPA's
These I always find so funny. Creating a sliding scale of your skills on your resume is nothing but a waste of space. Yes, I'm blunt about this fact but it's the truth. An employer can tell absolutely NOTHING from your sliding scale aside from how you personally view your skillset which isn't always where some may claim to be. It is a waste of space so just don't do it.
On another note, including your GPA is highly unnecessary as well. Unless you are applying for graduate school, your GPA has little to no relevance to an employer. Although I am happy for anyone and everyone who has achieved a high GPA, this, however, does not show an employer what type of employee you are. So again, just don't do it.
7. References
If you make it past the preliminary screening, your potential employer will ask you for them when they are ready. You do not need to include them on your resume or add an 'Available Upon Request' note. It's 2020, they know enough to ask you for them by now.
There are several tips and tricks on how to effectively ask a previous supervisor, manager, or coworker for a reference. Check out our blog post on How to Effectively Ask for a Reference the next time you need one.
8. A Generic Cover Letter
Applying for a job is a full-time job. Make sure you tailor not only your resume for each job you are applying for but be sure to modify your cover letter accordingly as well. I can't tell you how many cover letters I have seen that reference a candidate's interest in the job 'XYZ' when the job they have actually applied for is 'ABC'. Right then and there I stop scrolling. As the kids say these days, "Bye Felicia!"
When adding a cover letter, be sure to tailor it to the company you are applying for. These simple little notes can go a long way and shows an employer that you genuinely took the time to learn about their company or at least do a basic Google search.
9. Salary Information
Sort of like the personal photo, adding salary information can lead to a premature rejection. Do not add your current or desired salary as this can send the wrong message to employers, especially if you are undervaluing yourself or aiming above your appropriate pay scale. Usually, this step will be asked during a preliminary screening call. Do your homework and prepare yourself to be asked. Know your worth, don't undervalue yourself, and don't ask for too much. A simple google search can help you be confident in your request. Factor in things like the city you live in, years of experience, and the industry in which you are in.
10. Spelling & Bad Grammar
I think this one is by FAR my most favorite and crucial point to talk about. Hence, why I saved it for last. SO many resumes contain spelling and poor grammatical errors. I have even seen people make these errors in sentences that literally say "strong attention to detail". If that doesn't make an employer run for the hills, I'd say you might be headed down a bad road yourself. There are some great tools out there to help with spelling and grammar that are absolutely FREE! A great one I personally use is Grammarly. Grammarly is a free Chrome extension that helps correct both spelling and grammar mistakes in any document. You can also just kick it old school and ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to proofread your work. Just remember, it's the 21st-century people there is no excuse for these mistakes!
In summary,
I know this may seem like a lot, but omitting some of these things can free up a lot of valuable space on your resume. Remember, 6 (six, sies, sei, however, you prefer to say it) is all it takes to pass or fail the chance to land your next dream job.
#resumetips #resumeskills #employmenttips #jobsearch #resumewriting #newjob #applicaiton #jobhunt #openforwork #hiringtips #employee #hiringmanager #capitalrecruiting #capitalhire #business #resumebuilding
Comments