Resume Writing - 7 Effective Ways to Kill Your Resume

A well written resume is the first step in a successful job search. But most applicants confuse the primary aim of the resume, which is not to get you the job, but to get you the interview call. As such, a lot of resumes end up as long winded documents, containing a lot of text, but quite difficult to read and understand.

Here are a few common but important mistakes that you should avoid while writing your resume-

•     No Objective

The objective of the resume tells the employer how you will add value to his or her organization. It tells what you can do for him or her. Don't leave it to the employer to read the whole resume and then reach his or her own conclusions. The employer does not have the time to do this.

•     Focus on Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

The employer is more interested in what you can do today, and this is best reflected by your achievements in the previous positions. The employer is certainly not interested in what fancy designation you held, or what your responsibilities were. The results that you achieved in that position or while bearing that responsibility are more important.

•     Sending a Stale Resume

Keep updating your resume frequently. You should always enter your latest job details, major achievements and any additional qualifications that you have earned along the way. Do not send a stale resume.

•     Exaggerating or Lying about Achievements

Do not get creative while listing your achievements and results. Your resume should contain the truth, and nothing but the whole truth. The employers can, and usually do run a background check with your previous employers or references. Even if you get away with it, you will always live in fear of being discovered.

•     Use of Templates

You should be extremely careful in using a template to write your resume. While it will certainly make your task easier, but then your resume will look like everyone else's. Just think, will it stand out among possibly hundreds of other resumes? Dare to be different.

 Resume Writing - 7 Effective Ways to Kill Your Resume

•     Including Non-Essential Information

Your resume should have a professional and neat look. Don't clutter it by including unnecessary information. Don't include details about your family, marital status or age. Don't include details of the summer job that you took while you were in high school.

•     Use of Pictures and Fancy Designs

Do not attach your photograph to the resume unless you are applying for a modeling assignment. Avoid details like colored background, borders and designer fonts. Keep it simple. Use an e-mail friendly format like Arial or Times New Roman, 10 or 11 points.

Your resume gets only a few seconds to make an impression in the mind of the employer. Avoid these mistakes, and your resume will definitely arouse the interest of the employer, and land you that all important call for the interview. Wish you all the best.