Interview Killing Resume Screw Ups and How to Avoid them

Resume Articles : Interview Killing Resume Screw Ups and How to Avoid them by Nick Moseley

So, you're about to start making or updating your resume so you can go find your dream job (or hey maybe, just ANY job...in credit crunch 2008 that might be the best you can do for now). I know that it can seem impossibly difficult but it's not that hard at all. However, it IS very easy to make a mess of it - And messed up resumes and CVs get "round filed" real fast (thrown in the bin) and round filed = no job interview. Yep, a poor resume means you stand 100% no chance. So you want to get it right - right?
Fear not. It's not that hard at all - once you know what to avoid - and that's what I'll tell you now.

So what are the common mistakes that will mess your resume up?

**John Doe - No contact information**

Many people feel that because they're sending a cover letter, they don't need to include their name, address, phone number and email address at the top of their resume.

However it's very common for cover letters to be separated from resumes by HR departments who then pass the resume to various other staff members for review. At this stage your contact information is very likely to be lost forever! And I can tell you that it's very frustrating for a manager to receive a good resume that has all of the qualifications that he or she is looking for in an employee without a name or any contact information.

So - Very important - Include all of your contact information at the top of your resume. Name, address, phone, email.

**What do you want to do? No objective**

Large organizations may have dozens of ads for employees advertised. If your resume goes first to an HR admin person for filtering then how will he or she know what job you're applying for unless you state this in your resume as well as cover letter (again same dangers of lost cover letters apply so put it on the CV header too)

**What do you want to achieve? No goals or ambition?**

Not necessary in all cases. Use common sense. Under your name and contact information should be a heading about your career objective. You can break this into two categories. One should be for the position which you are seeking. The other can be what you hope to attain in the future.

If, for example, you're hunting a job as a news reporter and have a career aim to be an editor or a features writer, then you could state this briefly in your resume as a career goal. This can be a handy indication that you're a long term strategic thinker as well as a loyal employee who is keen to develop new skills and add value to the business.

As I say use common sense. If applying to small companies it may not be wise to indicate that you want the job of the person who's recruiting you!

**You don't many or any skills, bye bye! They're not psychic you know!**

In any job no matter how junior there are skills required even if it's just a summer job selling ice cream on the beach (hey that's customer facing with a bit of sales you know!) Way to many CVs are thin on evidence of relevant skills.

To many applicants lump all their tasks in a short paragraph, which will not impress many possible employers.

So don't understate your past experience ' Include all of the tasks you performed at your old job, or know how to do, that concern to the position which you are seeking.

It's good to list all of the tasks and knowledge in bullet point format so that it makes it easier for the employer to see just what you can do. This is not the time to be shy or modest. Highlighting your accomplishments, knowledge and past experience can not be too underestimated when it comes to your resume.

**Got fired or saying my current job and company are rubbish - Writing why you left or are leaving**

Not necessary at all and looked at unprofessional. You will most likely be asked why you left your prior employment during your interview. Don't badmouth your last place of employment, even if your boss was a reincarnation of the Devil! Just say that you are seeking an opportunity for new development.

**I want, I want! Talking money right off the block**

NEVER put down how much you are making at your current job or how much money you expect to pull in at the new job.

While some employers will ask that you state your salary qualifications in your cover letter, this is never acceptable on a CV.

Many employees who ask that prospective employees state their salary requirements in their cover letter tend to pay low wages and do not want to waste their time with anyone who expects to be paid enough money to make a living.

**Your resume looks like a 5 year olds "art" project**

For a 5 year old it's cute. For a resume it's death. Coloured paper, fancy fonts and pics may look really nice but is generally considered to be amateurish. Use white paper. Black ink. Standard fonts. Standard lower and upper caps and make it simple to read.

**Uneducated barbarians need not apply**

You didn't spring into existence from nowhere so make sure that you put down your educational experience from the last college or university that you attended to the first.

If you have a post graduate degree, that should come first under the Education heading, along with the degree and any awards.

Your undergraduate university or college should come second along with degrees and accomplishments. If you have a post grad degree you don't have to put down high school information ' That's a given.

**No autobiographies please!**

Pages of life story filler are a sure way to get round filed fast. With that said, it's a context thing. Don't hesitate to make your CV more than one page if your accomplishments, experience and education warrants this in the context of the position applied for.

It's better not to underestimate yourself than to keep your resume short and sweet. On the other hand don't pout down long lists of hobbies, and non work related achievements, your junior schools, places lived in, travel done and so on. It's filler and noted as such immediately. Black mark.

**Summary**

So, avoid these clangers and you'll be well on your way to creating an interview magnet of a resume that will reflect all of the reasons why you are the best person for the job as well as a resume that reflects your personality.

About the Author
From London where he was an expert job hopper Nick now lives in Stockholm with wife Lena and Gunnar a Border Terrier. He likes long forest and lake walks, is learning Swedish, sells on ebay and publishes career help websites, for example http://www.thecareerdomain.info where you can find resume and interview help ideas and tips.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=881467

Resume Tips To Nail That Job Interview

Resume Tips Articles : Resume Tips To Nail That Job Interview by Belinda Sinclair

Your resume is extremely important. Think about it. In the span of a few pages, you need to convey that YOU are worthy of at least being considered for that job vacancy. It really doesn't matter if you are applying for a manager job or an executive position, what's important is that the resume contents and resume layout fit the position at hand. Sadly, many ruin their chances at job success because they cannot format their resumes properly. Don't be one of them. Follow our resume tips and you'll get the chance you deserve.

Resume Tips to Help you Get that Job Interview Call

Before you go on your hunt for great job interview tips, you should first focus on writing a great resume. After all, the job interview will come IF your resume says you deserve it.

Resume Tip No. 1 - Different resume types require different resume formats.

Your resume is really your 'first impression' and just like any real, one-on-one interview, it's important that your resume conveys the right 'image'. Whether it's a executive resume or one for a mid-level position, it's best present it with a cover letter outlining the highlights of your career. For the succeeding pages, it's best to list your work experience in reverse chronological order (i.e., most recent first). For new graduates, it's best to start your resume with your educational attainment and any related 'on-the-job' training or seminars even if you are currently employed.

Apart from the above, you can't go wrong with using a clear, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman 10 pt or 12 pt. Also, assuming you send in your resume via email, use general Word processing software like Microsoft Word. Don't use the latest version as it may not yet be used by those handling recruitments, rending your resume un-openable and thus, useless.

Resume Tip No. 2 - Include a no B.S. executive summary.

Job recruiters get really annoyed when they're fed with Executive Summaries that are VAGUE. The Executive Summary must answer the question on why you are the best candidate for the job. The best resume layout for this would be to enumerate your skills in a bulleted list. Each skill should be written so that it clearly shows how that skill makes you a perfect fit for the job vacancy in particular, and the company in general.

Resume Tip No. 3 - Do NOT lie.

Who doesn't embellish his resume to get that job interview? That's true... but don't exaggerate to the point of lying either. For instance, you know that figures are great in resumes, but don't say "Managed a $50 million dollar publishing project..." if it you cannot back up that figure. Don't forget that job recruiters, especially for managerial and executive positions, really do check up with previous employers.

Resume Tip No. 4 - What about online resumes?

A great resume tip that doesn't cost anything at all is to view sample online resumes! There's a lot of information out there for different types of resumes with samples to boot so do give them a try. Apart from free samples, there are also ready-to-use online resume templates you can purchase where all you need to do is just 'fill out the blanks'. If you opt for this, just ensure that the template really fits your resume needs.

Resume Tip No. 5 - Hire a professional resume writer.

When all else fails, or if you don't have the time, or the job is simply too important that you want to go in with your BEST chance at landing a job interview, then by all means, get the services of a professional resume writer. Not everybody is blessed with having that special way with words so a professional CV writer can definitely help you. Note too that such a person can help you 'smooth out' some job history problems you may have such as employment gaps or 'job hopping' trends (i.e., moving from one job to another in relative short periods of time).

When it comes top writing resumes, you should always put your best foot forward so you get called for that job interview. Hopefully, the resume tips we've provided here helps you achieve exactly that.

About the Author
Belinda Sinclair empowers men and women to increase their Wow Factor through personal development and image makeovers. Visit http://www.novawhite.com/?source=is16 for amazingly affordable professional tooth whitening systems.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=616092

Resume Videos - The Art of Interviewing

Resume Videos - The Art of Interviewing

Get the edge you need; Get the job you want. Instructinal Video on Resume Writing, Job Hunting, and Interview Techniques.