1. Spelling Errors, Typographical Errors and Poor Grammar
Spell check won't catch every mistake. -Manger- is a correctly spelled word, but it means something very different from -manager.-
2. Only Listing Responsibilities
Only listing the responsibilities in previous positions misses the purpose of your resume. Your resume should highlight your achievements that are applicable for the position that you are seeking.
3. Inaccurate Dates or None at All
Include specific ranges in months and years for every position. If you have gaps, explain them in your cover letter.
4. Inaccurate or Missing Contact Information
You create a resume to be invited in for an interview, so be sure that every resume you send has your correct contact information, including name, phone number, email address and street address. Interviewers will not look you up; they'll move on to the next candidate.
5. Poor Formatting
Use no more than two different fonts, and ensure they comply with the scanning systems used within organizations and recruitment agencies. Arial, Times New Roman and Century Gothic are acceptable.
6. Functional Resumes
Whenever possible, interviewers advise you go with a chronological resume and focus on the skills and achievements that pertain to the job you're seeking. Australian employers accept that you may have taken time off for family or to travel the world, so there is no need to try and disguise it.
7. Long Paragraphs
Australian employers want to read about your skills and education in a summarized form, specially in bullet points format. Focus on the skills and achievements that directly relate to the job you are applying for. Do not dwell on the specifics of each job, but rather highlights the skills and achievements that are relevant to that job application.
Learning how to professionally write your own resume is the first step to efficiently managing your own career!
Reprinted with kind permission from Melbourne Resumes [www.melbourneresumes.com.au]
. Melbourne Resumes was created in 2005 from a decade of experience in recruitment and
training and a passion to help people get a job that they really enjoy.
Bonnie Cameron founded the company after a decade in recruitment and
training office administration skills at Registered Training
Organisations across Melbourne.
