If you want to make it successfully through stage two of the recruitment process, your resume needs to be wholly on-point and be able to catch the eye. Regardless of whether you’re applying for a position as an engineer or a hotel receptionist, you need to know how to write a resume that ticks all of the right boxes with hiring managers.
Amongst all of the positive elements to include in your CV, there are numerous things you need to avoid doing so that you don’t detract from the critical information you’re trying to convey. We aim to help you with that here, as we detail 5 essential things you should do your best to avoid when putting yours together.
Mistake #1 - Errors in Spelling & Grammar On Your CV/Resume
The first mistake to avoid when learning how to write a resume correctly is leaving any typos or grammatical errors in the text. If there are errors present, it’s going to detract from your professionalism and ensure that you’re one of the first candidates to be removed from the process. Avoid this by using spell-check programs or by getting a friend or relative to give it a once over before you send it.
Mistake #2 - Having Unexplained Gaps Between Employment
Another big no-no when putting your CV together has gaps in between the jobs you’ve had over the years. The issue with this is that it makes hiring managers nervous, as they’re likely to wonder why you weren’t employed during this period. Write down your full work history with no gaps, or the probable result is that you’ll never hear anything about your application.
Mistake #3 - Lying On Your CV/Resume
Another key aspect to remember when crafting a CV is that dishonesty is never advisable. There may have been a time when you could get away with it, but in today’s job market, recruiters regularly perform background checks on applicants. So, if you’re thinking of inflating your salaries, achievements, or credentials, it’s best not to—eventually, the truth will surface. Writing a compelling resume can be tricky, but there are plenty of courses available to guide you through the process.
Mistake #4 - Turning Your CV/Resume Into a Novel
Recruiters are usually very busy people, so they just don’t have the time or the inclination to read a 4-page resume. Having a long and waffly CV will turn off the reader - even if it’s full of exciting and supportive information, so try and keep it under 2 x A4 pages or you’re probably going to be amongst the first of the names to be discarded.
Mistake #5 - Having Unprofessional Contact Info On Your CV/Resume
Our last tip on writing a resume that impresses you is to ensure you don’t have any unprofessional-sounding contact info. We’re mainly talking about email addresses here, with examples like [email protected] giving the wrong message entirely. Email addresses are free and easy to obtain, so if you’ve got one like this, create a new one with a professional sound instead.
Does Your Resume Sell You As It Should?
Ultimately, your resume is one of the biggest marketing tools at your disposal, so it’s essential to use it correctly. These have just been five mistakes to avoid, but you’re right in thinking there’s much more to it than that. The good news is that if you’re interested in learning more about writing a killer CV, our How to Write a Resume Course represents affordable training that gives you everything you need. You can even utilise your new resume on OCA's NEW Career portal.
Like all our courses at OCA, this course is video-based and follows the micro-learning model, meaning that you can fit your training around your current work or family obligations. Have you got a spare 5 minutes? Then take a module on your smartphone, and you’ll have the knowledge you’re looking for before you know it. If you’d like to know more about this or any of our CPD-approved courses, visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au. For more information on how to make a resume, enquire today!
Alternatively, if you would like to speak to our team about your training needs, they’ll be more than happy to give you the benefit of their considerable expertise. You can reach them by calling us today on 1300 611 404.
