Submitting your resume to impress hiring managers can be exciting. It’s obviously to highlight the appropriate experiences and qualifications to show you’re the ideal candidate. But it’s equally important to know what to avoid. Here are some specific things to stay away from.
An Objective
Using an objective like, “Seeking a manufacturing position where I can apply my skillset” is considered an outdated practice by most experts. While it used to be common, it’s a time waster and not offering recruiters any valuable information. So this is definitely something you’ll want to avoid. Instead, get straight to the point and focus on the recruiter’s needs.
Irrelevant Work Experience
While being skilled in a variety of areas can be helpful and make you a more well-rounded employee, you never want to include irrelevant work experience. If it doesn’t pertain directly to the position you’re applying for, you’ll want to leave it off of your resume. This means that you’ll often need to make minor adjustments for each application.
References
Many hiring managers will want a list of references to validate your abilities. But most experts consider references as implied information that’s simply wasting space on your resume — something you certainly want to avoid. Instead, just wait until a recruiter asks you for this information before sharing your references with them.
Personal Images
Although some employers will ask for your photograph when applying for a job, most prefer that you don’t include one. That’s because this helps them comply with the Equal Employment Opportunity, which is designed to prevent discrimination. So unless you’re asked, stay away from including any personal images on your resume.
Any Negative Points
Say that you’re relatively new to the industry you’re applying for. You wouldn’t want to say you have “limited experience” on your resume. That would be considered a negative point that could hurt your chances of landing an interview. A better approach would be to offer examples of experience that you do have.
Hiring managers are looking for some very specific information on a resume. Including details they’re not interested in or are irrelevant to a position will only hurt your odds. But knowing what to avoid should help you make a better impression and increase the likelihood of landing an interview.
Struggling with your job search? Get in touch with the professionals at Axiom Staffing Group to see how we can help.