7 Things to avoid in a Resume

In our zeal to impress prospective employers, we often make some rather avoidable mistakes in our Resume.

I have outlined some common errors/redundancies:

• Omitting the Career Objective

The most obvious thing that comes to my mind is not giving a suitable career objective or giving a vague one. You career objective must be to the point, professionally worded and future oriented. Avoid generalizations like "looking forward to working in a progressive company", or "interested in career development" or worse "interested in respectable position". Search inwards and focus on what you wish to achieve through your career, in terms of professional growth and personal development.

• Not focusing on role achievements

Worked in HR Department" or "Assisted in accounts" are too general. Highlight what your contributions were in your term in the organization. For eg., "Led team to achieve the sales target of 100 Cr" or "Streamlined processes for better operational efficiency" or "Helped in reducing training costs by building internal resources" are more oriented and lead to great interview questions.

• Haphazard presentation

Organize your Resume into sections under headings like Education, Professional Courses/Certifications, Career, Personal Details, etc. Don't give information haphazardly.

• Giving too many personal details

This is a mistake common to most Indians. Details of parents, place of birth, family history, are totally unnecessary. Remember your Resume is an Outline of your Professional Life. Keep it professional.

• Too long or too wordy

Another common error. We tend to run away with our description of our abilities and talents. Keep it short and to the point. A recruiter gets put off by pages of personal propaganda.

• Spelling and grammatical mistakes

Please check and recheck your document for errors of spelling and grammar. These are unforgivable and put you in a very clumsy position. If possible, get your Resume proof-read for errors.

• Signing your Resume

A Resume is an impersonal document to be accompanied by the more personal application letter. It does not have to be signed. Make sure your covering letter is signed and tailored to suit the job advertised.

An objective, professional Resume that offers relevant information is both time-saving and effective. The Recruiter will appreciate your valuing his/her time.