Three Mistakes That Make Recruiters Trash Your Resume

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


A resume is a tool that can help you get noticed by a recruiter. It's the first impression that a potential employer gets of you, and resume mistakes can cost you an interview. Based on how your resume is written, a recruiter can make a decision on the spot whether to give you a chance for an interview. It's important to avoid some common mistakes that can make a recruiter trash your resume.

A good resume should appropriately reflect your experience, qualifications, consistency, creativity and originality. A recruiter should be able to concentrate on the valuable information presented in the resume and not be distracted by mistakes or bad design. In order to make your resume a true presentation of your value, you should avoid these common resume mistakes.

One of the most common resume mistakes is to have a resume that is too long with too much information. A resume that contains a lot of information can make a recruiter skip it right away. Recruiters usually take only a few seconds to scan a resume in order to catch valuable information about the applicant. If they are not able to get a good idea about your background, they are most likely to throw it away and move on to the next one. To keep your resume short, focus on your most recent and most relevant experiences. Don't forget to include only relevant achievements and accomplishments. This also ensures that your resume is focused and easy to follow.

Another resume mistake that might cost you an interview is a bad design. It's important to make your resume stand out, but this shouldn't be done with fonts and colors. A resume should contain only one font and should only be in black. Otherwise, it distracts from important information. Also, a nice clean design with a lot of white space is much more appealing than a page crammed with information. A simple and classic design is more professional, and it gives a better first impression. Further, any spelling or grammar errors are an automatic turn off; these resume mistakes will lead to the immediate trashing of the resume. Once a resume is completed, it should be proofread a few times by you and by a second person. A computer spell and grammar check can be of help, but it's best not to entirely depend on one. This type of resume mistake demonstrates lack of care and education, and it's something that can easily be avoided by proofreading.

In order to make your resume stand out and leave a good impression, it's important that it is professional and that it reflects your work background appropriately. This can be accomplished by avoiding common resume mistakes made by job seekers. A good resume is what makes a recruiter give you a chance for an interview, and you should take time to create one with care and attention.



Photo courtesy of Stuart MIles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net


 

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Dawn so sorry you are going through this. I know first-hand just how frustrating this can be. Employers are afraid to even speak to us because they are afraid that we will be the perfect hire but that we will command too much in the way of salary and benefits. So they settle for someone who has no experience and is willing to take a bottom of the rung salary. At this point, all I can recommend is that you network like crazy. Contact people you have worked for in the past 35 years and let them know your situation. Don't be afraid to tell people that you are looking for a position any chance that you get. There is nothing wrong with temp positions. At least it shows an employer that you are willing to work and accept what is available. You mentioned that you worked in realestate for several years. Have you ever thought about being a realtor? For your resume, you have to pretty much rewrite it for each job to which you apply - only because most companies use software based upon keywords in the job posting. If you don't have those keywords in the resume, it will be thrown out. So really - networking is the best way to go. Check around your town for networking opportunities. Reach out to people you have worked for/with over the past 35 years. Try to narrow down where you would like to work and see if you can find any contacts there where you can send your resume directly to this person instead of sending it to HR. And don't dismiss the temp work as it can very easily turn into something permanent. I wish you all the best.

  • Dawn L.
    Dawn L.

    In 2009 when the economy was tanking I lost my job as Assistant Manager / Property of a small family-owned real estate company. Although I had worked there for several years my employer simply could not afford to continue paying me. While I have a Bachelor degree in Business Administration, I have been unsuccessful in finding a permanent job. I've utilized on multiple occasions, the services of my 'career advisor' and their offices at my college, and have re-written my resume close to 20 -25 times per their recommendation. I am networking like crazy and still have no job leads. Add to that the fact that I am over 50 and in the past year have had 3 major surgeries, one being heart surgery. My particular problem stems from one of the following: I am over-qualified for most of the jobs I'm applying to - my work history goes back about 35 years, or, potential employers are scared to hire me due to my recent health problems. All I seem to be able to find are 'employment' agencies with nothing but temp, contract and seasonal jobs. I now find myself having to live with my oldest son because I cannot support myself. The way our society operates and the world of hiring seem to have gone completely out of control, with the only ones who ARE getting full-time jobs are the recruiters! Gone are the days when people actually LOOKED at your resume; instead now are algorithms which flag your information based upon key words. Also, there is much ineptitude within the recruitment field itself. On more than one occasion I've registered with these employment agencies, only to get lost in their shuffle of people. WHAT is going on?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    I know it can be frustrating because you seem to hear conflicting information. The standard rule of thumb is to only list the last 10 years on your resume. If your education is greater than 10 yrs, don't list a date (if you can help it). Only include those former positions that are applicable to the job posting. If you are going for a cashier position but you worked as a landscaper, you wouldn't need to include that on your resume as it is not applicable. @Alexandra - go with your intuition. If you think that tasks that you have performed in the past are needed, then include them. Remember that you can mention "other" skills in your cover letter. Short resumes are normally better. You have to remember that it will only get about a 6 second look. Make sure that you are including relevant keywords from the job posting in your resume. Many companies use ATS which scans your resume for those keywords. If not included, your resume will typically be round filed. So, shorter and more to the point is what employers seem to be looking for today. Good luck all.

  • Alexandra P.
    Alexandra P.

    Maria B You are absolutely right as is Christopher G. Just today I got a call from a recruiter in which she told me " Because you are bilingual it means nothing and as to your lengthy work experience and background information no one is interested, you just scare them away, so I asked her for some guidance as to my resume, she went on to tell me leave the whole last page out no one is interested intuit part, so I asked her what should I leave out, she told me a list of items, so I went ahead and made the changes, only to get her reply back saying "Actually I liked the original one" Please what is going on? I am absolutely disheartened, depressed and about to be out on the street if I don't make my rent this month. I am underemployed by a translation company, which pays me 30 cents an hour, of course you would say "well...It results in 18.00 dollars an hour, what are you complaining about: But here the catch, the calls I translate are not back to back calls...so please what is it that I am doing wrong....!!!!????

  • Maria B.
    Maria B.

    I have worked at the same firm for 15 yrs and have 25 yrs of experience in this type of firm. I have been actively looking for a new position since August and, to date, haven't even gotten one job interview. I have great skills. My resume is long. What is holding me back? My long resume?

  • Christopher G.
    Christopher G.

    most recruiters are not qualified to do their jobs!!!!

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Maria - I think it's awesome that you have changed your career and are getting into healthcare. Hang in tough. Yes people can be cruel but you have to hold on to that dream. Don't let other determine your happiness. Going to school, working and being a single Mom is an extremely rough road but totally worth it in the end. I did it and never had any regrets - well, except maybe that I didn't spend as much time with my daughter as I would have liked. But she saw what happens when you put yourself out there. No education in the world would have taught her that so it was worth it. Be proud of yourself - at what you are accomplishing and keep on keeping on.

  • MARIA RITA  MALONZO
    MARIA RITA MALONZO

    I can't believe what I did...I don't know what I did that all that long storytelling about my experiences, challenges and opportunities that made me a better person and my survival is all gone and don't be able to share my story how did I make it. Well, I don't want to do it no more because if I think of it again and again...I will cry and be a unhappy person for the night and back to my cycle of frustration with anxiety, stress and panic attacks that will lead to nothing good and unhealthy to one's self health and sanity. Be good and believe in yourself, remember there's always something good coming to you when you know that it was for your own good for you and your family. Think today and now...try not to dwell on what's tomorrow.

  • MARIA RITA  MALONZO
    MARIA RITA MALONZO

    I read a few comments about age is a plus or a hindrance so it a guessing game until you get the message...you're hired. It's not fair for people sacrifice some of the dreams, wants or goals in life due to challenges and difficult in life. I worked for the same company for 21 years so that's means something loyalty and devotion to my job even it's not my ultimate career goals in life. I don't really know how I survive the hardships while working full-time, school and being a single mother to support your family. I recently changed careers this month last year to Healthcare from Retail/Grocery Industry. Now you guys made me think twice why I left early asking myself...did I made a right decision but weighing my pros & cons, it's might be too late for me for advancement or not many jobs offers that will suit me and make me love my job until my second retirement. I guess no turning back and hope for the best. Honestly speaking, I don't stress too much and less anxiety worrying about what else can I do to prove myself if your some of your co-workers are not supportive or even jealous that you are going somewhere and not get sucked there for their not too further their goals like education and better work environment. It's sad to say that it depends on the management that they treat workers that stayed and dedicated themselves for that long without no acknowledgement and support for your success, their treatment of decency to put them down by comments that are not nice...for examples: you're slow and keep up your speed, they show their actions by the power they hold by giving you bad and late shifts, degrading comments that makes you not come and love to go to work, let us not forget favoritism so obvious that it so uncalled for. I don't have too much for myself as well not too much left to spend time with my family. So I'm going to think positive and no regrets and keep your head up high and be proud of your/my achievements and lessons I learned that will help and shape me as a better person. I'm trying my best to find the right one but took time to jobs searching for I needed that time devoted to more time for me and my family...just don't worry about tomorrow and enjoy now. I have to be aware of my expenses and not go overboard on my budget, that's the hard part for me since I never in this situation before that what if my extra money is gone and then I will be back in the cycle of worries, stress, panic and anxiety. It's my downfall when I get to this uncertainty mode in life, but I will believe that there will be better outcome if you don't give up and believe yourself.

  • Clifford A.
    Clifford A.

    Please tell me where I stumble, but.. I assume my resume, at minimum, will be screened for keywords before any human gets a look at it and that I should have enough, but not too many, keywords to jump this hurdle. Maybe some keywords fit nicely in the awesome grandeur of my resume design and scintillating visual appeal. Some do not. Can I squeeze some additional invisible keywords, white-on-white, 4pt around the "margins" or will this be recognized for the devious machine pandering which it, in fact, is?

  • Gloria H.
    Gloria H.

    I like what I'm reading so far.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Roman - sounds crazy to even have an article like this but it amazes me how many resumes/cover letters have error after error. Whether it's spelling, format or the information included - errors abound. So yes it makes sense to do a spell check as well as a grammar check. Always a good idea to read your cover letter/resume to someone else or have them read it aloud to you. That's a great way to find mistakes.

  • Roman  Lay
    Roman Lay

    Yea always makes sense to uh spell words correctly on ur resume lol ha geez

  • Alisia  Martinez
    Alisia Martinez

    This is a good piece of information for us job seekers to know so that we know what mistakes not to make.

  • Elizabeth G.
    Elizabeth G.

    Wow, comforting to read that so many other job seekers are experiencing similar situations out in the job market--no response to application submission or interviews. Some good suggestions, too.

  • Constance T.
    Constance T.

    I got a part time job with an editing service at the age of 67, and they will never know how old I am. I work like someone in her thirties, with tons of enthusiasm and no hints in my email like "Sorry I took so long to get back to you. I was napping!" LOL

  • Sally L.
    Sally L.

    I am a corporate recruiter. Recruiters get overwhelmed with resumes from lots of people that are quailified for the job. I would suggest, calling the company , and flollowing up a few days after you submit your resume. i would ask who the recruiter for that job is and see if you can make telephone contact, by leaving a very nice - professional voice message.

  • David J.
    David J.

    Have you noticed the same job posting from the same company every 3-4 months. Either the company is growing tremendously, not likely, or the person they ultimately hired doesn't measure up to expectations, then fired.

  • David J.
    David J.

    Have you seen the vast job descriptions for some of these positions, after working 25 years in various industries and accumulating the knowledge to accomplish these listed "responsibilities", now I'm to old or the company wants to pay a lot less for this experience.

  • becky b.
    becky b.

    back in the day you actually talked to a person after obtaining a paper app and speaking to a live manager. saves gas, but not effective for me

  • ANGELA W.
    ANGELA W.

    I agree. There are too many "jobs" that we all apply for with never receiving any type response. It would be great off someone was courteous enough nowadays to respond in some way.

  • Don Goldberg
    Don Goldberg

    I sometimes think these recruiters don't actually have legitimate jobs for job seekers. Could it be that they research jobs, write a fake blurb for "Our client", and take in a stack of résumés simply to make some sort of quota so they can get paid. Seems far-fetched, but I have answered postings by all kinds of recruiters and job boards and I never even get so much as a "You're not really qualified" or "Come in for an interview." I truly am beginning to believe it's a scam.

  • Ilona H.
    Ilona H.

    So called recruiters are only interested in making their quotas and do not care whether the candidate is ideally fit for the position as long as they can submit them. When ignored they do not even have the courtesy to follow-up. I have very little regard for these no people knowledge recruiters looking for their commission.

  • Julia morales
    Julia morales

    I think that I have much more talents and a job

  • Proleta V.
    Proleta V.

    I think they mostly look for experience

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