The Top 5 Resume Killers

It wouldn't take you long to find a Top Five List about the workplace or resume writing. Yet, I feel compelled to write my own. Over time, I'll probably write several. With this blog, I hope to showcase my unique perspective developed after many years of staring in disbelief at the things going on around me. I hope to educate, inform and prompt thought. I also hope to make you smile, and hopefully laugh. So without further ado, I give you my Top Five Ways to Ensure that Your Resume Will Wind Up In The Trash:

#5 - No Cover Letter. Your resume will summarize your accomplishments and highlight your skills and competencies. Don't miss the opportunity to tell a perspective employer why you'd be perfect for the job. Craft an energetic, concise cover letter written specifically for the role and take the opportunity to tell the hiring manager exactly why they should hire you.

#4 - Hobbies and Interests - A waste of valuable resume space. There is no question that collecting Russian nesting dolls is a fulfilling pastime but unless it tells me about a skill that will add value to my organization I don't want to read about it. Never put hobbies and interests on your resume!

#3 - An inappropriate email address - I don't want to look at the top of your resume and see VetteMiesterGeneral@ or BooTayShkr@. This immediately calls your common sense into question! There are countless free email services available to you. If you don't already have one, create one specifically for your job search. Jane.Doe@, or use your own name.

#2 - An Objective - Another waste of valuable resume space. If your resume is in my hands, I already know that you're "Seeking an exciting and challenging job with room for growth". Lose the objective and replace it with a Personal Branding Statement or Professional Profile. More on these later...

And the Number One surefire way to guarantee that your resume winds up in the trash is....ERRORS! Never....let me say that again. Never, submit a resume with errors. This should go without saying, but I recently deposited a resume in the trash when the candidate wrote that they were "deetail oriented" Proofread, proofread, proofread. Ask a friend or relative to help. Don't rely on spell check. Grammar and punctuation count!

Remember...A resume can't get you the job, but it can definitely eliminate you from consideration.

Jeffrey Metzger is Owner and Chief Resume Architect at Your Resume Consultant. Find out how Jeff can create a resume for you that will attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Visit us at http://www.yourresumeconsultant.com/.