According to one study, 40% of hiring managers spend under a minute on a resume. Since some job postings attract 250+ resumes, you are facing intense competition. So, it is essential to make sure that your resume meets all the modern standards and requirements of hiring managers in your industry before applying to a company.
Unfortunately, if you don’t work in human resources and don’t hire people, it’s difficult to understand if your resume is written correctly. Sometimes, even experienced and accomplished professionals make resume mistakes that can turn off recruiters. And, since the only thing a recruiter sees is your resume, even minor issues and red flags can cost you an interview.
To avoid common resume mistakes and be confident that the resume positions you in the right way, consider free online CV checking services. An online resume critique means that an experienced reviewer checks your resume against the criteria that matter most to employers. The reviewer will analyze a CV format, structure, content, and keywords, and send you an email with actionable tips to improve your document. More importantly, a resume check service is provided by a resume writer, meaning that you will get personalized tips and advice.
The benefits of using a free CV checker
First impressions count. To make sure that your resume reflects your professional background effectively, consider using a resume critique. Yet, look for a professional CV critique rather than a CV checking software, as no software can see the “big picture” and provide you with truly personalized advice. Here are the main reasons why a professional check can be beneficial for your job search.
Save your time
Resume writing and rewriting is a time-consuming process, and you are likely to spend many hours trying to figure out what works for your resume and what doesn’t. So, why not save your time and effort and show it to a professional? Upon receiving resume evaluation, you’ll know exactly what sections are written well and what should be corrected. So, all you’ll need to do to strengthen your resume is to follow these tips.
Benefit from the industry expertise
It’s difficult to understand the resume writing rules and the best practices unless you work as a recruiter or a hiring manager. A resume reviewer will provide you with valuable insights that you wouldn’t learn otherwise. All resume writers stay abreast of the most effective resume writing techniques and will recommend the improvements that can dramatically improve the results of your job search.
Understand if your resume is ATS-friendly
Most resumes today are parsed by ATS software before a human recruiter sees them. A resume reviewer will evaluate the resume format and keywords, and explain if you have a chance to pass the ATS screening. You’ll also receive recommendations for making your resume ATS-friendly and avoid getting tossed.
Create a resume that brings results
As a result of a free critique, you will receive personalized advice on the format, structure, design and writing style of your resume. A reviewer will point out the mistakes that should be fixed immediately, as well as recommend what to add or remove to make your resume appealing to employers. If you follow these tips closely, you can get more interview calls and feedback from employers.
What are the most common resume mistakes?
When reviewing resumes, professional writers look for typical mistakes that turn off most employers. You can check your resume for these mistakes right now – pay attention to the list below.
Making a resume too long (or too short)
The perfect resume length is one page for students and graduates, and two pages for experienced professionals. Hiring managers are 2.9 times more likely to pick a two-page resume for a managerial role. If your resume is shorter than one full page, or takes multiple pages, consider adjusting the content to fit the recommended length.
Lack of accomplishments
Recruiters are interested in your accomplishments in the first place. Add at least one achievement for every job you had, and illustrate your impact with figures and percentages. Don’t just tell that you have excellent skills, show the results you’ve achieved.
Missing information
If you forget to include one or several past jobs, education, or important skills, this can lead to tossing your resume. A resume is your first touchpoint with the employer, and they will evaluate your expertise based on what they see in it. So, make sure that the document you submit is informative and presents you in the best light.
Including personal details
Your date of birth, marital status, religion, ethnicity and other private information doesn’t belong to a resume. Most career experts don’t recommend using a photo if you apply for jobs in the US.
Including negative details from previous jobs
Avoid mentioning workplace conflicts, difficulties, or the fact that you were fired on your resume and cover letter. Include only positive information. Yet, if you had a tense relationship with the former boss, be prepared to address this issue during the interview.
Poor, inconsistent formatting
Cluttered and poorly formatted documents make an instant negative impression. Use the same font throughout the document, and check that indents and lists look consistent. Opt for bulleted lists rather than paragraphs.
Overusing clichés
Words like go-getter, proactive problem solver, have a go-to attitude, detail-driven, and self-motivated don’t say anything specific to the employer. Whenever possible, replace them with examples of how you used these skills.
Grammatical and punctuation mistakes
77% of hiring managers are ready to reject a resume with typos, grammatical issues, and other mistakes. Proofread the document before sending it to a company. If you are not sure about the correct spelling of the word, use a dictionary. Make sure you use past tense when describing previous jobs and present tense for your current role.
Showing your resume to a professional reviewer before sending can help you avoid the most common mistakes and get more attention from the hiring managers. Moreover, getting feedback about your resume is free, so every job-seeker can take advantage of it.
