Avoid Falling Victim to Resume Self-Destruction

After working for a staffing and recruiting agency formonthly, but that experience could be relevant to a
nearly 6 years, I've seen my share of poorly written,prospective employer.
badly formatted, and self-destructing resumes. Many- Use action words. You can make any sentence pop
jobseekers have shot themselves in the foot forby adding a power or action word. For example you
making simple and basic mistakes. As I'm sure you'vecould state that you file documents or you could
heard and read time and time again, your resume is astate you accurately and systematically file
marketing tool to promote yourself. It's evident toconfidential information.
hiring managers how much time and effort you've- Don't include pictures or personal information. A
invested in this critical piece and the results speak forguaranteed way to get your resume tossed aside is
themselves. If you are an active and serious jobif you include a picture with your resume. Even if
seeker, you should check your resume today toyour picture is professional, which the majority of the
avoid make damaging mistakes.ones I see are not, it shows a lack of judgment on
- Self-promote, don't self-serve. Your resumethe job seekers behalf. Leave the pictures for your
shouldn't be about what you are looking for in youronline profiles. Also, do not include anywhere in your
next job opportunity, but instead how your skills anddocument your personal interests. Knowing that you
background can fill a void at an organization. Forlike to fish with your family has no relevance on your
example, don't state in an objective that you areprofessional future and may even cause an employer
looking to utilize your education and experience toto negatively judge you.
grow within a company. This is a very self-serving- Quantify your successes. Nothing stands out more
statement and doesn't provide the hiring managerthan numbers. For instance, which candidate would
with insight as to why they should hire you.you choose; someone who states they have
- Check your email address. Your email address sayscustomer service experience or someone with over
a lot about you. Some addresses reveal more then12 years of progressive growth in customer service?
what a hiring manager would ever want to know. I'mIf possible, try to back up your success with
sure you want your friends and family to know younumbers. Here's another example; by researching and
as hotmama166, but do you want your futureselecting a different paper vendor I saved the
employer to know you that way. Create a new emailcompany $450 per month.
address specifically for your job search. When doingMake sure to spend some time upgrading your
so, keep it simple and professional.resume. With the job market as competitive as it is,
- Don't undersell yourself. Spend time thinking of allthose who spend the time will be the ones who get
the tasks and responsibilities you had at yourresults.
previous jobs. It may be something you only did