Why a Resume Matters?
Your CV is your personal marketing document, your “job passport”, your ticket to your dream job. It contains your past, and it provides a glimpse of your future. It’s a mirror to your professional identity, your knowledge, and your practical experience. That is why making any resume mistakes can significantly harm and derail your future career path.
A well-crafted CV doesn’t just describe your journey so far, but actively persuades hiring managers that you’re the right fit. It highlights your soft skills and showcases your professional impact in a way that stands out from the crowded sea of CVs. Not to forget that your CV must bypass the first gatekeeper: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by companies as the first step of screening CVs.
Importance of First Impression
You know what they say – there’s no second chance for a first impression. A recruiter can decide your fate within the first paragraph. Unprofessional email address, photo from your night out, inconsistent fonts, and a typo can all derail your chance for an interview.
If your CV radiates professionalism and relevance at first glance, employers are inclined to believe you also possess other positive attributes, like diligence and trustworthiness. On the contrary, a rushed, typo-ridden or generic document can undo years of hard work and knowledge in seconds.
Here is our list of 8 common resume mistakes job candidates need to avoid from now on:
Mistake #1: Spelling and Grammar Errors
You might find multiple advices on typos throughout this blog post, but it’s definitively a mistake #1. It can knock you out of your dream job faster than you can spell “opportunity”. Pay close attention to every detail, double-check, triple-check your final CV, and then give it to a friend or a family member to scan it with a fresh pair of eyes.
Most recruiters interpret mistakes as a lack of care, so proofreading is your best friend when preparing your CV. Plenty of free and paid software tools can help you eliminate grammatical errors, like Grammarly, WPS AI Spell Check, Resume Worded and more.
Mistake #2: One-Size-Fits-All Resumes
Are you sending out the same generic CV for every job? This shortcut could quickly turn into a dead-end street. Your potential employers could easily spot a one-size-fits-all job application and put it off, whatever your relevant experience.
Employers want to feel you’ve gone the extra mile for them. A tailored resume mirrors the company’s needs and demonstrates you’ve genuinely considered how you will fit. It’s about showing your interest and enthusiasm for this particular role and company, not any job per se.
Customise your CV using keywords found in the job description and on their website, update your cover letter with them, and rearrange your experience section to highlight skills the employer requests in their job ad.
Mistake #3: Lack of Clear Structure and Formatting
A cluttered resume is unlikely to pass even the briefest scan. A proper structure and formatting give the recruiters a guideline on how to read your CV most efficiently. That’s why, stick to simple, clean templates. Avoid bad formatting, like inconsistent fonts, crammed text and overusing graphics – everything that makes your CV hard to read.
A one-page resume is the most concise way of showing your key skills, without losing the reader’s focus. Your relevant skills section should come front and centre. Using bullet points is a proper way to clear your CV of excess words. Keep your CV’s valuable space only for the most essential information.
Mistake #4: Using Vague and Overused Phrases
Phrases like “team player”, “hard worker”, “results-oriented”, etc, can easily repel the hiring managers from your CV. Just imagine how many of these phrases they come across each day? Instead, use words that tell something unique about you, something that will set you apart from other candidates. For example, rather than using “leadership skills”, try this: “Led a 15-person sales team in continuously exceeding quarterly targets.”
Use numbers and quantify your achievements. Your CV becomes more compelling and credible if you state that introducing your new process saved 20% of the time, or your team brought 15+ marketing qualified leads per month.
Mistake #5: Irrelevant or Outdated Information
If your email address contains numbers and cool names from your teenage years, now is the perfect time to open a professional email address. Job posts as a barista or waiter? Only if you can connect them to the actual job position. Recruiters are primarily interested in recent experiences and skills directly relevant to the position you’re seeking. Outdated jobs from more than 10-15 years ago can distract the reader from your most compelling qualifications and even make your resume appear stale.
Mistake #6: Listing Duties Instead of Achievements
What would you prefer for your resume: a list of position descriptions, or compelling snapshots of your impact? Your CV is read by hiring managers, who know the job descriptions and duties of each position by heart. What they don’t know is how well you performed and the difference you made in your position.
So, instead of generic statements like “managed a team” or “handled client communications”, focus on what you accomplished. For instance, use “Led a 12-person team, increasing department productivity by 25% within six months”. Achievements demonstrate your initiative and a problem-solving attitude, which are qualities that recruiters seek.
Mistake #7: Not Optimising for Keywords and ATS
Imagine applying for a new job, only to discover your application was dismissed before a human ever laid eyes on it. If your CV isn’t optimised for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), it may be filtered out regardless of your suitability for the role.
Optimise your resume for success by following these rules:
- Mirror key skills and wording from the job ad. Use industry jargon appropriately.
- Avoid graphics, tables, or columns that ATS might struggle to read.
- Prioritise relevant skills and experiences at the top of each section.
Mistake #8: Lying or Exaggerating Credentials
From all these common mistakes, this one is definitively a no-no. Under any circumstances, do not try to write down anything but the truth. Facts can always be checked. Rather than lying about having it, it’s better to state that you don’t have a specific requirement. Because honesty counts, and focusing on your genuine strengths and potential will always serve you better in the long run.
Send Us Your Resume to Land Your Dream Job
Job seekers, career dreamers, this one is for you. Make your job search an effective hiring process. Stick to the advice you’ve learned here to avoid common resume mistakes, and we at Olive Recruit will guarantee you’ll land the job of your dreams faster than ever before. By going through your resume and upgrading it, not only will you master the art of writing a professional, eye-catching CV, but you will also build up your confidence for your interviews, too. Presenting your career perfectly clearly is key to getting hiring managers’ attention.
Feel free to send us your CV at any time. Our recruiters are open to applications and will process your CV, check for potential employers and get back to you within one business day. You can look forward to this initial call from us to discuss the opportunities that align best with your background and goals.
