When an employer takes a look at your resume, they’re not just looking at your qualifications or work background, they’re taking the format of the document into consideration as well. A resume with an impressive work history means nothing if the document looks disorganized. Additionally, including inaccurate or embellished information could lead to negative consequences when faced with a job interview. When writing your resume, treat it as the most important document you will ever produce. Since employers generally treat resumes a serious assessment of your qualifications, so should you. Here are five common resume mistakes that you should be aware of.


1. Using the word “I” anywhere in the resume. Resume should always be
written in the third person.

2. Using elaborate or non-standard fonts: You want your resume to
stick out among others, but doing so by typing in a flashy font isn’t
how you should go about catching the employer’s eye. Not only does it
come off as unprofessional, but some fonts (while pretty) can be
difficult to read. So keep it simple and stick to Times New Roman or
Courier fonts.

3. Including multiple phone numbers: It can be confusing to the
employer if they wish to call you in for an interview if they have to
choose between 3 different numbers. List only your primary phone
number and make sure that it connects to a voice mail service or
answering machine.

4. Lying about or embellishing any of your qualifications. Your resume
should represent who you really are. Don’t act out of desperation and
add false information to make you look like a better candidate for the
job. The truth will eventually come out and bite you.

5. Not using bullets. Having your resume formatted in a bullet style
makes it more reader-friendly and organized.