Whether we like it or not, when faced with up to thousands of applicants, future employers are forced to reduce all of our hard earned accomplishments are reduced down to a single sheet of paper. Even if you’re the perfect candidate and can’t see anyone else getting an offer, a flawed resume can be the difference between you getting your dream internship and receiving the dreaded ‘we will not be moving forward with your application at this time’ e-mail.
Here’s are top 5 mistakes you’re making on your resume and how to fix them!
1. You’ve Got Terrible Typos
Time to get back to basics: if you’re listing ‘detail-oriented’ as one of your strengths, you better have spelled every word on your resume correctly. One ‘your’ instead of ‘you’re’ can make or break you landing an interview. To proofread your resume, try using editing apps such as Grammarly that help you catch typos and improve your word choice along the way.
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2. You’re Not Over High School Yet
Although it once seemed like everything, being cheer captain, president of ASB, and prom queen are meaningless on your resume. The only pre-college experiences you should include are the high school you attended, outstanding national-level extracurricular achievements, and any relevant work experience. If your resume looks a little skimpy, feel free to add in impactful community service as well!
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3. You Included Your Headshot
Listen up ladies, your resume isn’t your Tinder profile. Unless you work in the entertainment industry or are Elle Woods applying for Harvard, there is no reason to include any images of yourself. Recruiters won’t be giving out offers based on who looks the job, who actually has the chops and experience to do it well. So instead of spending three hours picking out the perfect profile pic to include in the corner of your resume, use that time to review the job’s description, add relevant experiences, and get in touch with your references.
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4. Your References Don’t Know They Are
Imagine getting a random call about that one girl who shadowed you last summer or the new hire you barely know. Unless you’ve got an incredible memory or are great at speaking on your feet, chances are you won’t have much to say. This is exactly how references feel when you don’t let them know you’re applying around in advance. Not only is it rude to ambush someone, but most people are thrilled to be a help those they enjoy (and if they say no, you don’t want them on your resume anyway!) By having references in the loop, you’re not only maintaining your professional network, but you are also keeping their door open for future opportunities.
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Bonus Tip: Don’t include fake references or personal friends (unless they’ve been your supervisor). If you’re pinched for a professional reference, reach out to your professors and extracurricular supervisors!
5. Your LinkedIn Isn’t Linked
Warning: if you don’t have a LinkedIn, please stop reading this and go make one now! LinkedIn is the future of job recruitment and is one of the most accessible ways for employers to become familiar with your body of work. However, your LinkedIn is only beneficial if others actually look at it, so include your URL on your resume! If you had to pull valuable but less relevant/outdated experiences from your resume to fit it onto one page, LinkedIn is a great place for recruiters to learn more about you and your qualifications!
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And viola! Your resume is flawless and ready to go– now get out there, land that job, and be a total girl boss.