- TYPOS/Grammar mistakes:
- Even in the SAT’s, the spelling of your name is worth 200 points.
- This may not be an essay, but tense switch from past to present is still frowned upon.
- Not including GPA:
- If it is higher than 3.0, put it in! Otherwise, employer will presume it is lower.
- Data points are essential. Employers like numbers.
- Including too much high school info:
- It has been 4 years. There must be other things to write about.
- Only include it if:
- High school has a high name recognition
- Job/internship is in that local area
- Awesome GPA/leadership experience
- Using weak verbs
- “Worked with” is not as strong as “organized” or “managed”
- Assuming that one resume fits all
- Even if you are applying to jobs in just one specific field, depending on the employer, some experiences are more valuable than others.
- Thinking an activity can’t be an experience
- Employers don’t care if you were paid or if you were just a volunteer. They want to know you have experience.
- Examples:
- Club executive position
- Class project
- Research assistants
- Examples:
- Employers don’t care if you were paid or if you were just a volunteer. They want to know you have experience.
- Focusing on duties and responsibilities instead of actions and results
- Your previous internship listed one of your duties as typing up press releases. So…did you do it? If yes, then say: created press releases. Don’t say: was responsible for typing up press releases.
- More than 1 page
- Yes, you probably have a lot of experiences, but if employers are going through over 1000 applications, your 3-page resume will most likely anger them.
- Font size/Format Inconsistencies:
- Wouldn’t you like to look at something that is more aesthetically pleasing? Get your margins and fonts in order!
- Allowing employers to think for themselves
- Leave no room for error. If you just say that you were a lifeguard one summer on your resume for a marketing firm, all your employer is going to think is, “Cool, this person can swim.”
- List why that experience makes you the best candidate for that specific job position. Write how as a lifeguard you honed your problem resolution and communication skills.
Still not sure if you fixed all these mistakes? CSO drop-in hours are from 2pm-5pm. We’ll be happy to elaborate on these resume issues and much more.