5 Critical Areas of Weakness With Your Resume

Posted by in Career Advice


Each week, I critique a new resume on-air. And over the past couple of months I’ve started to notice some of what I like to call “terrible resume trends”. They’re common mistakes that everyday job seekers are making—and they have no idea that they’re making them! (How can you fix what’s wrong if you don’t even know what that is!) Well, I’m here to open your eyes and (hopefully) start getting you some interviews. Below is a list of weaknesses (the five most common) that people tend to overlook on their resumes. THE FONT You may not think the font you choose for your resume is very important, but it communicates more than you think. Use a font that’s too small, and the documents will be too hard to read—and the hiring manager won’t even invest any time in it. Use one that’s too large and you’ll seem inexperienced and juvenile. Use Times New Roman and you’ll send a subliminal message that you’re boring—a mediocre lemming—that you’re just like everyone else. Just as the outfit you wear to the interview provides a first impression for the hiring manager, so do the font and design on your resume. SUBPAR SUBTITLES Using the terms “SUMMARY”, “PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE”, and “WORK HISTORY” are becoming sorely overused. Not to mention they waste space and don’t tell the hiring manager ANYTHING about what you’ve really accomplished. Instead, use very specific subtitles. At the top of your resume, instead of using the term “CAREER SUMMARY”, use your target job title. That way, every time you apply for a job, it’s customized to that particular position. Do the same with “PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE”. If you are in IT and work as a project manager, change the title to “PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE”. One more thing: If you’re an executive, do not use the header “PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE” on your resume. This is a HUGE mistake. You’re sending a mixed message; in one portion of the resume you’re stating you’re an executive, but in another you are stating you’re professional. Be consistent throughout the resume. POWERFUL PERSONAL BRANDING If the world realized how powerful a personally branded resume was, everybody would use one. But the majority of the population is clueless. So here’s your insider tip: GET A CLUE! Underneath that shiny new job target/title that you’ll be putting at the top of your resume, include a brief one-liner about why you’re the best (insert job title here) there is (or ever was)! Use the opportunity to briefly highlight why you’re the perfect fit for their opening. GENERIC COVER LETTERS What a waste of space and time! Do you want to bore the hiring manager? Or engage him and give him a reason to read your resume? Your cover letter should NOT be a reproduction of your resume. Spend some time researching the company to which you’re applying, find out what their needs are—then specify in the cover letter how you can help them meet their needs. It will certainly set you apart from all the other candidates. While you’re at it, don’t start your cover letter with the predictable “Please accept this … ” “In response to … ” You’re not a mainstream candidate; you don’t run WITH the crowd—you STAND OUT! So … show the hiring manager! REFUSING TO THANK How many people miss the boat on this one! Take the time to thank the hiring manager for his time and to reiterate why you are excited about (and the best fit for) the opening. I can tell you right now, most people don’t send a thank you letter. In fact, in more than 10 years of working as an HR manager and recruiter, I can count on one hand the number of thank you cards or letters I’ve received. Make your mark; be memorable, be polite, seal the deal—write and send the thank you letter. Take a more strategic approach to your job search and start thinking about what sets you apart—instead of just doing what you’ve always done—or what everyone else is doing.
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  • Precious
    Precious
    You've covered all the bases with this answer!
  • Sheri Richardson
    Sheri Richardson
    Good article and great advice.  I never think about ways to "set myself apart" from others and I am going to figure out the best way to do it. I had an interview yesterday and the person who interviewed me said she had over 100 applications to go through.  The competition is high so if you can figure out how to do it, I say go for it. Good luck to all in your job hunt.
  • Javiera
    Javiera
    Thanks! very helpful!  Do you have any tips for OLD PEOPLE.I'm 59 years old, look 48, have a functional resume but Nobody calls!! I have been unemployed over 7 months!! Am I too old?
  • Nancy Alcalde
    Nancy Alcalde
    Great Advice.  I will incorporate most of it!
  • D. F. Matthews
    D. F. Matthews
    This all sounds well and good, but I challenge anyone to try getting a decent job as an ex-convict.   I paid for my crime with seven years of my life incarcerated, and sixteen more years on parole.  I even earned a Bachelor degree after my release, and it still doesn't matter. I tried sending thank You cards and notes after being interviewed, but it didn't help. I truly am "branded for life."
  • Gretchen dekok
    Gretchen dekok
    Using Times New Roman for a resume' is NOT "boring". It shows professionalism, and THAT's what HR managers are looking for.
  • Amanda Gunter
    Amanda Gunter
    Very helpful!  Thank you!
  • Muriel Katz
    Muriel Katz
    My husband, age 53, was laid off over two years ago, has changed and 'fine-tuned' his resume and has even gone on a few interviews only to find that he is either 'too old', 'over-qualified', or has been out of the workforce too long now.  It's an Employers' Market at this time and when an employer receives over a thousand resumes all applying for one job offer, I would imagine that the ONLY real thing to make your resume stand out from the crowd is to type it up on NEON-colored paper!
  •  Johnstone Kayandabila
    Johnstone Kayandabila
    These are very useful details. Thank you very much for making it available. I have to update and reshape my resume now!
  • Rosita Bad-an
    Rosita Bad-an
    Thank you for posting the article on the 5 Critical Areas of Weakness on Your Resume. These made me realize that I have to revise my resume. I'm sure these will help.
  • Maggi roman
    Maggi roman
    What do you mean by target job title.  Is it like using "job objective"?
  • Cynthia Roberts
    Cynthia Roberts
    I'm 54 years old(LOOK 45), layed off after 30 years and no matter how I've changed my resume I am still unemployed after a year and a half.  I have two friends creating resumes for a living and changed mine to reflect every job I have applied for and I know it's not the resume it's that "I'm old".
  • Claudette Grange
    Claudette Grange
    I really get it and thank you for the eye opener. This is excellent food for thought and action and I am adjusting as we speak.
  • Theresa
    Theresa
    Heard some of this before. It was informative. I will adhere to some of this advice. Thank you. I do send Thank you letters! It hasn't gotten me a job.
  • Mike Johns
    Mike Johns
    I will take many of these suggestions to heart and put them to use.   However, something that is ignored in this process very often is the lack of HR personel that have the true ability to understand what they are doing when it comes to technology jobs.  Another area of concern in the technology arena are  requirements.  My favorite example of this is that many positions you see advertised show a minimum education being a bachelors degree rather than "or equivilent".  When this happens, two people whose resumes would not even be moved forward are Michael Dell and Bill Gates.  HR needs to be able to become proactive in finding the best way to find the best candidate rather than expecting the job seeker to figure out what they want.  HR does a company a dis-service when they do not make it their priority to do what is necessary to find and hire the best candidate.
  • Angel Harper
    Angel Harper
    Thank you for the tips.  Angel
  • Tyrone Wright
    Tyrone Wright
    This was excellent and very infomative!!
  • Michele Maietta
    Michele Maietta
    Thank you for the great article with the powerful suggestions. I have redone my resume with the focus of standing out and making certain to seal the deal with an appropriate and relevant thank you note. It is all about getting that second date on an interview. Do they like you enough to ask you for a second date? You are so very correct when you state that your resume and cover letter must be very inviting as so many come across to employers. This is the perfect opportunity to make an excellent first impression, so make the most out of it. Also, remember that you are interviewing them as well as them interviewing you. You also want the job to be a good match for you as well as you are a good match for them. Do not be afraid to be yourself and show your humaness. I tend to start off an interview with a bit of humor to set everyone at ease. They must like you or all is lost.
  • Danya Clark
    Danya Clark
    Great tips. I'm going to give it a try and see if it makes an impact.
  • Edward Evans
    Edward Evans
    Another repeat of "What not to do."
  • Kathrine Johnston
    Kathrine Johnston
    I like your suggestions for the Subpar Subtitles. It would be refreshing to read something a little different.  The mention of a Thank you letter is a great point. I would reconsider an application if I were to receive one from them especially if interviewing for an attentention to detail position or a customer service position
  • M. Graf
    M. Graf
    While I find this interesting, in less than two years we will be hearing all about the newest no-nos of resume writing.  
  • Heather Cole
    Heather Cole
    Thank you for this cutting edge article, I am updating my resume now.
  • Ricardo Hernaandez
    Ricardo Hernaandez
    Simply Excellent !!!
  • Ltc Gordon
    Ltc Gordon
    Thank you for the reminder to send a Thank you post card or letter to the hiring recruite, director, or manager.

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