How To Avoid The Top Resume Mistakes
(By Mark Bartz, Senior Writer for Executive Careers, Inc.)

1.  Using an MS Word Template. Everybody uses these templates, so you end up looking like your competitors. Second issue: they rarely scan into the HRIS/HRMS systems used by essentially the entire Fortune 1000. Avoid using these templates!

2.  Listing pre-1980 dates. No employer would admit it, but this can lead to an age-bias.  It’s 2004; there is no need to detail anything that far back in your work history. If you graduated from college pre-1980, list the college and your major, skip the graduation date.

3.  Lack of Achievement Statistics. You are being paid for results and the best way to show results is by using numeric values, e.g. percentages, dollars. Chances are your resume needs more of these statistics. To find additional statistics, use this technique: Think of 2-3 major projects you’ve worked on at each of your most recent employers. For each project, detail the following items: a.) the challenge you faced, b.) the actions you took to address that challenge and, c.) the beneficial results of your actions – using numeric values, i.e. numbers, dollars or percentages. You should discover all the statistics you need using this technique. New to a position, so you’re light on achievements? Then list numeric values showing your responsibilities, e.g. “Oversee budget of $2.4 million, manage staff of 12,” etc.

4.  Positioning Yourself as a Generalist.  Companies rarely seek generalists these days; they are looking for specialized skill sets and experience. How do you show an employer those elements? By “branding” yourself , like a product. Tell the reader what makes you a unique value among your peers. The best way to brand yourself? With a profile section at the top of the resume. Open the profile with a “branding statement.” Don’t say “Manager with 22 years experience.” Say “Manager, with a complement of experience in… A, B and C” (A, B and C are the three areas you have expertise in, extensive experience in, or preferably both of the above.) Now you have clearly branded yourself and you will stand out from your peers!

5.  Lack of Key Phrases. This is an easy fix; once you’ve determined your branding statement, above, and you know what A, B and C are, it’s easy to backtrack and find key phrases from your past which support or complement A, B and C. Example: if you discover that C is “Sales Training”, then some key phrases might be E-learning, Performance Metrics / KPI, Sales Force Automation, etc.

6.  Listing only One Phone Number. An employer is typically trying to reach you between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. so make it easy to be reached; list home and cell phone number. The person the employer reaches first is the one likely to establish rapport first, which leads to trust, which leads to an interview, which leads to…you get the picture!