If you wouldn’t go to an interview with a shirt filled with pizza stains and barbecue sauce, why would you submit a resume to a potential employer that looks like your 8-year old cousin created it?

I just don’t get it. You go to a beautician if you have no idea how to whip up your hair or if you want a special style for a big event.

So why wouldn’t you contact a resume professional if you want a job? And we all know that a good job can triple your income within weeks.

Picture yourself going from $10 in your bank account to $10,000. This increase in the account is the result of your irresistible resume.

Sounds good, right? That can be you if you avoid these common resume pitfalls.

Be Original

Stop saying you’re a good communicator and team player. Prove that you are by using language and experiences on your resume that appeal to your target audience.

Highlight Industry Skills

Don’t limit your skills to Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Excel. These are base level requirements for a lot of professional level jobs. Go beyond the typical skills and stand out by learning a skill that’s in high demand in your industry. For example, if you are an accountant and are good with systems such as SAP or QuickBooks, highlight that on your resume.

Don’t Waste Space

Eliminate “References Available Upon Request”. If a potential employer requires a reference, they won’t hesitate to let you know. Make sure you have 3 references on hand that you can go to who can confirm your work quality.

Eliminate Lengthy Job Descriptions

If you have more than 5 bullet points under each job description, you’re probably doing too much. This is not an essay; it’s a resume. You should highlight your accomplishments and most valued responsibilities. No one needs to read a diary of what your daily tasks were for the last 5 years.

Create a Professional Email Address

Ditch the AOL email address. It’s 2018. Should I say more?

Please make sure your email doesn’t give people the wrong impression of you. If your email address is babymamabooty@yahoo.com, you might be discriminated against in the job market. Create a professional email address. A career goddess always upholds a standard of professionalism that allows them to attract opportunities they seek.

Replace Objective with Professional Summary

Now this recommendation depends on your level of work experience, the job you are seeking, how you found out about the job, and other factors.

But if you have a cover letter, the employer already knows what job you want. Tailor your resume to highlight the type of job you’ll be good at.

Final Thoughts

Know when it’s time to let go of your high school information in the education section. If you’ve graduated from college more than 2 years ago, your high school information is no longer relevant.

Remember you’re writing a resume and not an autobiography. Customize your resume based on the job you are applying for. All resumes do not fit all job descriptions. Keep at least 3 different resumes on file so that you can be ready for different opportunities that come your way.

Don’t be tempted to share your entire life story – just relevant work experience. It’s safe to say you shouldn’t have a 5 page resume. 2 pages is pushing it if you’re just graduating from college or have limited experience.

Questions? Send me an email at charlene@charlenerhinehart.com. Need resume help? Let’s work together! Sign up for a strategy session and you’ll get personal feedback on your resume.

Bio

After becoming the first Certified Public Accountant to win the title of Ms. Corporate America 2015 in a pageant held in Orlando, Fl, Charlene created the Career Goddess Academy. She shares her money, health, travel, and career advice all over the web as a contributor for the Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, The Path Mag, Women on Business, Ms. Career Girl, and other sites. In 2015, she was recognized as the Illinois CPA Young Professional Leader of the Year.

Charlene now works on the set of the most popular TV shows, including EMPIRE, Chicago PD, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire while she educates those around her about investing and accumulating assets.

Do you need a guest speaker? Contact Charlene at charlene@charlenerhinehart.com or learn more about my financial concierge services at www.charlenerhinehart.com.

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