Common Resume Mistakes and Ways to Avoid Them

Common Resume Mistakes and Ways to Avoid Them | Upskilling | Emeritus

You are skilled, experienced, and qualified, and still, you are not getting any interview calls. Maybe it is time to review your CV.
There are many common mistakes that people make in their resumes. And many feel that these mistakes are not a big deal. Sadly, that is not the case. A resume plays a vital role in demonstrating who you are. It is the first piece of information that the recruiters see about you and assesses you on.
This article states some of the common mistakes people make when creating resumes and tips to avoid them.

What Are the Common Resume Mistakes, And How To Avoid Them?

Mistake 1: Misspelling and Grammatical Errors

Some of the common resume mistakes that people overlook are grammatical errors. They are very common and very dangerous. It tells the reader that you lack a very important skill – attention to detail.
Many understand that people make mistakes and could overlook typos or misspelt words. But you are still leaving it to chance.

How Can You Avoid This Mistake?

  • Proofread your resume and use spell check. You can place your finger before each word while proofreading the content to draw attention. This way, you can catch small mistakes.
  • Try printing your resume or reading it out loud to catch grammatical and language-related errors.
  • You can also seek help from a career coach, friend, family member, or online editing software.

Pro-tip: Here are some of the grammatical errors that aspirants often make:

  • Spelling a wrong word is a common grammatical error. The best way to avoid this is by rereading the resume before submission.
  • Choosing the wrong word is another grammatical error. For instance, the word ‘loose’ means something that is not tight, while the word ‘lose’ means to misplace something.
  • Using unnecessary commas makes it hard for the recruitment manager to comprehend simple sentences.
  • Unclear use of pronouns when there are multiple subjects in a sentence or otherwise is a common grammar error. It can be reduced by reading the content thoroughly and breaking larger sentences into smaller ones.
  • Capitalisation is another mistake that many make.

Mistake 2: Avoiding Keywords in The Resume

Keywords are essential in ensuring that your resume gets you noticed by the recruiter. Therefore, avoiding critical keywords is a mistake that can cost you your dream job.
Nowadays, business organisations are using modern software for assorting job applications and resume. Hence, only the resume with the keyword associated with the job position gets shortlisted for the interview.

How Can You Avoid This Mistake?

You can avoid this mistake by reading the job description. A job description uses keywords or the buzzwords employers are looking for in a candidate. Including that in the resume will increase your chances of securing your dream job.

Pro-tip: If you find adding keywords to your resume challenging, you can refer to our blog. It offers practical tips for building a perfect resume. They can help you create an attractive portfolio that matches your profession.

Mistake 3: Avoiding Structural Problems in Resume

Typically, a resume begins with your contact details and then proceeds to your professional summary. However, the structure of a resume changes depending on your work experience, training and qualification, and milestones you achieved.
Therefore, when it comes to resume structure, there is no one-size-fits-all. But a well-structured resume should fit into 2-pages and must relate directly to the job position you are applying for.
The questions still lie unanswered, why is having a structured resume important? A well-formatted and well-structured resume are more likely to be read entirely and lead to an interview.

How Can You Solve This Problem?

  • You can refer to the resume sample related to your job position. It will help match the career objectives and other important details regarding your long-term goals in sync with the company.
  • You can make changes in the way you write. Consider using active statements instead of passive ones that showcase relevant skills and accomplishments.

Pro-tip: Are you confused about what to include in the resume and what to avoid? We have listed the critical components of a perfect resume below; have a look at them.

  • Career objective includes your goals, plans, etc. It also includes your details like name and contact details. You can also mention your career planning
  • Employment history includes all the details related to your previous job. The roles and responsibilities you performed in the last workplace.
  • Educational qualification details include the degree and certification courses you took to learn the required skills and knowledge to become efficient.
  • Skills include the professional skills you have. You can also mention your hobbies and leisure activities.

Mistake 4: Creating a Long Resume

The next common resume mistake that most candidates make is to create a long resume. A resume should be at most two or three pages. Employers might only read that much, considering the number of CVs they need to assess.

How Do I Solve This Problem?

  • Reread or edit your resume before submitting it for review. This will help in filtering out the unnecessary details of the resume.
  • Utilise online resources or seek professional help to trim down your resume.

Mistake 5: Failing to Provide Correct Contact Details And Other Specifics

Before submitting your resume for review, ensure that all your contact information and other specifics like your previous organisation’s details, skills, and notable accomplishments are up to date.
These details help the recruiter understand you better. Therefore, you should revisit them before submitting them.

Avoiding these mistakes will help you create a perfect resume. In the next part of the article, we will list common job interview tips to make a great impression.

Here Are Some Top Interview Tips:

Tip 1: Research the company and the job profile before designing a resume or going for an interview.

Tip 2: Revisit common interview question and their answers before the interview.

Tip 3: Plan your interview attire before the interview. You can opt for business casuals.

Tip 4: Carry extra copies of your resume or supporting documents like work samples.

Tip 5: Plan your schedule and arrive for the interview 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time.

In order to create a great first impression, you can pursue advanced courses in your field, and adding them to your resume can help you add value to the company.

Emeritus India is a pioneer in online education. We have partnered with renowned Indian institutes to offer the best certification courses across various fields.

About the Author


Content Writer, Emeritus Blog
Yashvi is a dynamic content creator with 5+ years of experience crafting content for global brands, specializing in tech, finance, and healthcare sectors for both B2B and B2C audiences. Her diverse knowledge base empowers her to create meticulously researched, value-packed content for the EdTech sector, catering to various audiences. In her downtime, she explores the realms of mental well-being, reflecting her holistic approach to personal and professional growth and deepening her empathy for her audience's pain points and needs.
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