10 Common Resume Mistakes

1. Not bothering with a cover letter.
Cover letters are so important to the application process that many hiring managers automatically reject résumés that arrive without them. Use your cover letter to make your case as the best candidate for the position in question. Expand on a few of your qualifications, explain any gaps in employment or provide other information that will entice the employer.

2. Assuming spell-check is good enough.
Spell-checkers can pick up many typos -- but they won't catch everything (manger vs. manager, for example). Always proofread your résumé several times, and ask someone else to give it a final read.

3. Being too generic.
Always customize your résumé and cover letter for each job and employer to which you apply. This way, your materials can be tailored to show how you will be a perfect fit for the position. résumé.

4. Focusing on responsibility, not accomplishments.
Instead of writing a list of job duties on your résumé, demonstrate how each task contributed to your company's bottom line.

5. Having a selfish objective.
Employers are trying to determine whether you're a good fit for their organizations, so everything on your résumé should point to your experience and how it will specifically benefit their company.

6. Giving your résumé format a little "flair."
Unusual fonts or fluorescent pink paper will certainly make your résumé stand out -- in a bad way. Keep your résumé looking professional by sticking with standard white or cream-colored paper, black type and a common font like Arial or Times New Roman.

7. Guesstimating your dates and titles.
With the proliferation of background checks, any "upgrades" you give your titles or stretching of employment dates to cover gaps will likely get caught -- and you will be eliminated from consideration.

8. Tell everyone why you left.
Never put anything negative on your résumé. If you left the position due to a layoff or you were fired, bring it up only if asked.

9. Include lots of personal information.
Unless your hobby relates to your career, it doesn't belong on your résumé. The same goes for any other facts that could potentially be used against you.

10. Going long.
Take it from hiring managers: 21 percent think a résumé more than two pages long is the most frequent and annoying résumé mistake. Your résumé should be no more than two pages -- and no more than a page for most professionals -- so only include your most recent and relevant work history.