Click here to get this post in PDF
When did you last update your resume? Even if you have recently updated it, your CV may be outdated. In today’s job market, you can’t afford to send a flat resume that won’t catch the eye of the human resources manager who is in charge of selecting candidates.
Having an up-to-date CV with a good design and structure is essential in the job search. If you see that your resume does not even pass the first filters, you should give it a facelift. You can do this by yourself or hire a resume review service.
Below we will explain some of the signs that would show that your resume is not up to date and needs an immediate review.
Excessive Enumeration in Your Formation
This is a very common error, and it is very easy to fix. While you can take great pride in your school achievements, it won’t matter to an employer where you went to elementary school or high school.
The only time you could put something like that on your CV is if you are still studying at university and looking for a job, for example, since on your first CV, I don’t think you have accumulated much work experience to fill it with. Even in this case, it would not be highly recommended to do so.
You can save a good amount of space on your resume by directly removing this type of information. Focus only on incorporating relevant information to the job you want to send the resume to.
Lots of Clichés
Most resumes are full of topics or phrases that are repeated continuously and that do not contribute anything to the potential employer.
Expressions such as “I am a good colleague”, “I work well in a team”, “I work well under pressure”, etc. They don’t contribute anything. These are terms that you need to reserve for the job interview.
You’ve Not Included Your Achievements
Listing your previous experience if you do not include your achievements in those positions is quite useless. If you’ve achieved something that really stands out, it’s time to include it on your CV.
This will give HR managers additional information and help you gain distance from other people applying for the job.
You are using an “Unprofessional” Email Address
Like everyone else, I’m sure that when you were 15 years old, you had a “ridiculous” email address. Including this email in your CV is a big mistake that you should solve immediately if you want to be hired.
If you don’t have another address, it’s about time you created one with a more professional and serious appearance. You don’t need more than two minutes to create it.
Information Too Condensed
Another of the most common mistakes is that many people try to cram too much information into their CV. This is a mistake since it takes away the desire to read it.
You should make the text easy to read. Therefore, eliminate all the superfluous information you have and summarize the content as much as possible. The space you save can be used to improve the layout of the resume and make it easier to read quickly.
No Response From Companies
If you think your resume doesn’t need an update, look at what happened to your previous job applications.
Have you sent several CVs throughout the month, and nobody calls you? So maybe it’s not your cover letter or your experience. Perhaps it’s your resume that hasn’t attracted enough attention.
Consider giving it a facelift before sending it back for more job offers. Even consider using creative resume formats (depending on the industry) that might surprise the hiring manager.
You may also like: What to Look For HR in a Resume?
Image source: Dreamstime.com