There are plenty of resume writing tips out there. Everyone has an opinion, the amateur blogger, the professional resume writer, and the list goes on. The truth is some of the advice is common sense, some nonsensical.
Below are 5 common bad resume tips you should avoid.
1. Stick To One-Page Resumes
If you’re a recent graduate or early career professional, this tip is valid. If you don’t have enough experience and skills to fill up more than one page, it makes sense to actively distill what you want to say to meet that one-page cut-off.
However, if getting your resume down to one page would require you to erase a huge chunk of your employment history, think twice. When tailoring your resume to the employer’s needs and requirements listed in the job posting, always include all relevant work experience. If the list is long, limit the amount of information you provide. Focus on three to five bullet points per position that showcase the skills and experience critical to the job you’re applying for.
Never gloss over relevant selling points to keep the length or page count down. And don’t go to extremes tweaking the font size and line spacing to fit everything in on one page. If the relevant information goes beyond a page or two, so be it.
2. You Don’t Need A Cover Letter
If you want an example of outright bad advice, this is it. You really do need a cover letter. What’s more, writing a cover letter even when not explicitly required speaks volumes about your enthusiasm and motivation to get that job. Attaching a unique, tailored letter suggests you’re not spamming several recruiters about similar posts. Cover letters can also clarify important information, like longer breaks from work or reasons for changing careers.
But perhaps most importantly, they can help the recruiter see the human behind the application. The modern-day recruitment process is rather impersonal, which makes rejecting candidate easy. A well-written cover letter will help you stand out from the crowd.
3. Don’t Write Resume Objectives
Some experts argue that writing a resume objective will sabotage your job-seeking efforts. What they’re really saying is that a bad resume objective will hurt your prospects. A good resume objective, on the other hand, will serve as a nifty reminder of who you are and what you can do. It will let the recruiter know that you’re in the right pile, it will clarify your intentions, and if done right can win the hiring manger over.
A resume objective is particularly important if you’re switching careers, or if you’re a graduate looking for a job. If you’re an experienced professional looking to change jobs rather than pivot your career, you can alternatively go with a resume summary.
While a resume objective tells the reader what you want to do and why you want to do it, a summary offers a quick recap of your career.
4. Never Include A Hobbies Section
It makes sense to add this section when applying for certain jobs in specific companies. Some employers have specific expectations of cultural fit, and if you’ve got interests and passions that match the vibe they’re putting out, perfect. If you decide to write about your love of, say, books, be specific.
That said, don’t lie. And don’t be overly general. If you decide to write about your love of, say, books, be specific. When recruiters just see books in the hobbies section, they think, Yeah, right. The last time you read a book was when you were cramming for your finals in 2010.
Pretty much everyone likes movies and travel, too. Go for some less generic details that will help your potential employer get a glimpse of what you’re really all about here are four tried-and-tested ones to consider.
5. Skip The Soft Skills
Sure, excellent written and verbal communication, the ability to multitask, and professionalism can apply to just about anyone who has ever held a job. Do more of research that shows that recruiters value soft kit and actively seek out people that possess them.
So, there you have it. Now you know which bad resume tips to avoid and a few tweaks that might land you the interview.
Source: Huffingtonpost
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