Your resume is the most powerful tool you have to show your worth, convince a prospective employer, and secure the most coveted positions in the industry. But, as the Great Resignation rages on, nearly 50% of US professionals are now in the process of seeking a new job - and the competition among highly qualified candidates has never been fiercer. 

So, how will you make your CV stand out? Undoubtedly, a sought-after, relevant skill set is essential. But the look, feel, and content of your resume can also significantly impact your chances of success. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid and what to do instead.

Failing to Prove Your Results and Achievements

Often, hiring managers can deduce the responsibilities of previous job roles by the job title itself. So, just listing the standard tasks of a Director of Sales or Project Manager won’t do much to help you win your dream job.

Wasting precious white space on your two-page CV to describe past job positions can penalize you and cast a shadow over what your real achievements and results obtained actually were. 

What To Do Instead: Be Critical and Provide as Much Detail as Possible

Instead of just crafting a list of responsibilities and tasks, consider making your CV more compelling by comparing expectations and results. For example, you could specify that you have generated 15% more sales than expected, or that the team you managed reached its yearly goals in Q2 or Q3.

This kind of information can help employers paint a comprehensive picture of what your skills are and how you performed in other job positions. 

When adding this kind of information to your CV, remember that hiring managers will be attracted to facts, statistics, and figures. Writing general sentences such as “increased sales” is not likely to convince a prospective employer of your capabilities.

Typos and a Hard-to-Read Layout

On average, hiring managers look at a candidate’s resume for six to seven seconds. Even before diving into the details of previous employment, work experience, and education, they will take a look at your CV and decide whether it is worth examining it further. 

So, how can you make your CV stand out in less than 10 seconds? Here are some common mistakes that can cause your resume to end up in the “discarded” pile within moments:

• Typos and grammatical errors that convey a lack of attention to detail
• Improper punctuation that makes sentences hard to read
• A crammed outline that is hard to skim-read
• Too much information about irrelevant work experience
• Improper bolding (i.e.: bolding the company name instead of your position within that company)

What to Do Instead: Use a Resume Builder that Makes it Easy to Create a Good Resume 

You are certainly an expert in your field - but you might not be an experienced graphic designer, CV creator, and layout specialist. And, without this knowledge, you might struggle to highlight your experience and skillset. 

Using a resume builder can help you understand how to create a resume that truly stands out, how to use white space to make relevant information pop out, and what fonts and designs are appropriate for a certain job role. 

What’s more, an HR-approved resume builder can help you structure information in a way that can increase your chances of success - and clear your CV of any fatal spelling errors!

Providing Too General or Irrelevant Information

A great resume is instrumental to landing your dream job. But no two “great resumes” should look the same - because no two candidates are. Of course, your CV should describe your past work experience, acquired skills, and career. 

But it is also true that hiring managers today look for the right personality traits and values. So, when crafting your resume, make sure to avoid cliches, jargon, and buzz words that can hide your personality. 

Additionally, irrelevant information about past job positions, as well as a CV that is not customized to the role you are applying for, can cause you to lose decisive points. 

What to Do Instead: Be Yourself and Focus on the Job Requirements

The best way to make your CV work harder for you is to ask yourself whether it truly describes who you are and what skills you have gained. After all, you will use your resume to convince a hiring manager that you are the perfect match for their company. 

Consider writing in a tone that resonates with your personality and add work experience that paints a good picture of why your prospective employer should hire you. 

If you are unsure how to write a winning resume, investing in a resume builder or partnering with a resume designer can help you make it through the initial screening steps - and get you that much sought-after interview!