Here’s what bothers American companies the most on resumes, according to a new book called Resume Magic.
- Leaving out dates
- No chronological listing of work
- Overstatement of responsibility
- Too much detail, usually re: job descriptions
- Summary of work history by type rather than listing the exact company and job performed
- Baseless description of personal strengths
- Entitlement mentality (“I have a degree, I’m smart, what can you do for me?”)
- No accomplishments listed, just duties
- Accomplishments don’t describe where and when they were made
- Pumped up to look like candidate has more qualifications than s/he really does
- Accomplishments separate from work history so it’s not clear what was done where
- Fancy fonts
- Photos included
- Graphics
- Typos
- Misspelling
- Fluffy words
- Bad grammar
- Incomplete sentences
- Disorganized
- Too long
- Two pages for beginners
- Poor organization
- Lack of clear direction, focus
- Covering up or lying about gaps in employment or lack of degree
SOURCE: JIST Works, Inc., Indianapolis, January 4, 1999. Resume Magic covers virtually every element of resume making.