5 Warning Signs That Your Resume Stinks

Posted by: Paul Remski

How many of the readers here are over 55? I just got laid off after 15 yrs with same TBI rehab company.  I have very good clinical skills with only a BA in psych/sociaology and a CVE / CRC certification.  Over 55, lots of experience, I am thinking of hiring a recruiter.  So far the one that saw my resume on another site, has been able to get me into 1 or 2 spots for a job in NC. I think it might be worth it to pay the money for professional recruiters.  When you  are coming in near the top, I don't care if i have a 4 pg resume AND three online attachments of relevant docs

Posted by: Paul Remski

a good resume will not necessarily get your foot in the door, but a bad one will surely keep you out of the race. I teach networking, effective phone marketing scripts, affability (if they like you they may hire you, if they don't like you they won't) and a few other important skill sets for job searching. Your behavior, attitude and persistence is everything. ?

Posted by: Cara

I have 20+ years' of experience-way more than most jobs require. ?However, no company in our area is interested in hiring anyone but high school grads so they don't have to pay them anything. ?They are still living with Mom and Dad so don't need to make their own way or support a family.How do you find companies that are interested in well-qualified, experienced employees? ?

Posted by: MJBlatchford

Reading some of the comments here it seems that folks are still at odds over the 1 page resume and even talked about careers that cross into different fields. ?What do you think the person reading your resume is interested in? ?Sure I was in F&B management for years but I don't think that's relevant if I'm applying for a clerk of court. ?With the number of applicants for any one job, you need to make yours easy on the reader, not a life history.

Posted by: Gerald Beaupre

Unfortunately, it's not the resume that is keeping us from finding or getting interviews. Employers are NOT interested in interviewing anyone that's been laid off longer than 3-6 months. The thinking is that you've been out too long and are not up-to-date on skills and technology. That's why they'd prefer to interview newer, less experienced personnel that they can offer a lower pay with the reason being lower skilled and younger, though they'll never admit to it.

Posted by: C David Lothes

What is everyones opinion on paying to get your resume re-written. I am in IT, first time looking for a job in 20 years. The big sites all say it needs to be re-written, but is it worth the $500-$750? If you get a hjob the next week sure....But if not... Who has done this and any advice?Dave

Posted by: Judy

I certainly agree with Donna whole heartedly. Some employers request a BA for a receptionist postion. Salaries - you have to laugh. I have changed up my resume, my fax cover sheet's for job's I know I had the requirement's and with letter's of recommendation. No interview's yet.

Posted by: Jacquelyn McCullough

#1 Very important. I review resumes and you have to catch my attention on page 1.

#2 True, stay away from 'team player', 'people friendly' etc. ?Pop your achievements using numbers 'reduced expenditures by 20%'

#3 Very important, and it is obvious. ?As much as possible make your resume specific to the job and company.

#4 Unless you are going for a creative job 'Times New Roman' font 12 still does the job.

#5 I will not look at a resume that is not typed; have a professional email address, or poor command of the language including grammar.  

#6 Write a cover letter addressing a person. ?It shows you researched the company, called HR to find out why the position was vacated and/or to whom you should address your resume and cover letter.

#7 It is not necessary to list all the positions you might have held. ?You can leave out anything that goes back beyond ten years. ?If you have pertinent experience from an earlier position work it into your cover letter.

Good Luck!

Posted by: Peggy Turner

Here's some real advice: Do not pay to have your resume professionally done. ?These professionals don't know the answer either. ?The responses I've had to job applications were in connection with the resume I did myself. ?Go ahead and use a template, it's a good way to start, and there's plenty of free advice out there.???Remember to sell yourself, but avoid bragging. ?You want to sound competent and confident. ?State the facts and cite measurable results whenever possible. ?You know when something looks professional, so make your resume look clean, evenly spaced, and always, always use spell check!???

Posted by: Virginia

I work in HR Managment. ?Unfortunately there are so many people looking for jobs right now that we do receive a lot of resumes when an open position is posted. ?I suggest a 1 page (2 pages max) resume for submitting your initial interest to an employer that highlights the most important or the most relevant aspects of your career. ?If you are chosen to come in for a face-to-face interview, I suggest bringing in more information like a longer, more detailed resume or a portfolio highlighting awards or other accomplishments that sets you apart from the other candidates.

Posted by: Debra Bautista

Lots of good comments and experiences shared. I've been out of work for 2 years now. I have a 2-page resume because I don't want to drop 13 years where I started at the bottom and worked my way up to a management position. I've been laid off 3 times in the past 12 years. Money is an issue because once I get my foot in the door, my salary goes up, but in these times, people don't want to pay for good help. Hang in there and good luck all.

Posted by: Michael Masek

If it were only as simple as the suggestions you have made. ?Did all this over two years ago and still nothing happens. ?If they think you want too much money or you won't stick around for the long haul, you will not get an interview. ?Even when you get an interview, your age can be a factor too. ?Right now, they only hire if they absolutely have to have someone and they want someone who is cheap and perfect in every way. ?Not so sure about that Land of Opportunity thing anymore.

Posted by: Donna

I have changed my resume several times. I have much experience which will simply not fit on one page. It appears that it doesnt so much matter what your resume looks like as the companies are obviously looking for cheaper,inexperienced help. Perhaps the previous poster was right in that the 'newer' Mgrs dont want to be outshined. I also see alot of requests for a 4yr college degree for jobs that do not warrant it, like warehouse work & very low salary offerings for highly skilled jobs. I see many companies running ads constantly. It appears that even with this large employee pool, they are still not able to find employees that meet their 'needs'. I think that while we're revamping our resumes, some employers need to revamp their expectations.

Posted by: Michele Del Gaizo

I've been unemployed for almost 2 years now and in my opinion, no one can agree as to what length companies really want as far as resumes are concerned. I'm a bit more inclined to change my email address, but don't feel that employers are going to hold that "against" me if they are already interested in my resume. I think it is harder if people are in their 40's & trying to re-enter the career field whether it is midlife career changes/what have you. The job market in general, just seems to be flooding the arena with lots of jobs, but doesn't seem to really be willing to pay for value. For many of us, any job right now will be a good job(whether or not it is in the field we are trying to gain employment).

Posted by: Debra Loe

I have been looking for a job for almost 13 months now and I have tried all the different steps listed above, but I still haven't found a job. Not sure what else I need to do now!

Posted by: Thair A

Article is good. I have revised my resume several times, and varied the information to fit the job descriptions and it's 2 pages long. No response period. Experience does not seem to count for much and you feel you are constantly hitting a brick wall. Not sure where to go from here!

Posted by: M

Interesting, but after 29 years it is more the referrals and references that are key for me.  If I were to try to do it your way, my resume would look bottled and average.  More important to make the first page stand out and put the points on it and expand them later.  

Posted by: Ariel M. Libre

Very informative

Posted by: bruce

Just keep in mind that a resume is ultimately a tool used for ''selling'' ourselves to potential employers. You don't want to sell yourself short, do you?

Posted by: Eric

5 Warning Signs That Your Resume StinksI recently went to a Job Fair in State of IL and went to IDES Booth and the representative stated the same facts listed on your article.Bravo...

Posted by: Christin S

Reminder: Check that your resume submitted is formatted correctly!!

Posted by: Shelia Roche

Very informative.  I realize now that my resume is too long and I used font size 10. Thank you

Posted by: Angela Goode-Taylor

This was a great article to read. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions!

Posted by: Vikita

I have done a lot of resume changes, still no JOB. I even sent thank you notes. What do I do now?  It is very frustrating when one job is posted and 10,000 people apply for the same job. Any suggestions? I even applied with the temp agencies.

Posted by: Charmelle Ross

The points you make are so important in trying to land a job. I was told that my resume should be 1 page long, include bullets to highlight my skills/experiences and keep the resume as simple as possible.

Posted by: Diana LHeureux

Great advice!

Posted by: cheri

Never even thought to create separate email for job searches/contacts.  

Posted by: Gregg

It is sad that companies don't care enough to hire the best people available rather than one that is only "good enough" - that is what happens when an HR or hiring manager doesn't take the time to review real qualifications & experience.  A 1 or 2 page resume is great for a recent graduate that hasn't accomplished much yet, but for people that have numerous accomplishments (probably crossing several fields of work) 1 or 2 pages isn't enough - so what should be left out?  It seems that many HR and hiring managers actually prefer people without much experience because they don't have the breadth of experience that might upstage their new boss or cause them to question decisions.  Poor hiring leads to poor managers and poor managers lead to poor hires.

Posted by: Vallerie P

I think it is also important to target your resume to the field you are trying to work in.  A resume geared towards marketing is much different than one for law.  Also make sure to check for spelling errors and typos!  Those are clear resume killers right from the start!

Posted by: Cathy Stewart

Very good information given.

Posted by: Kimberly McClure

Loved this article!  Fantastic writer!

Posted by: Carl Pierce

Have several resumes highliting accounting and medical billing  and coding. Most medical billing and coding positions require 2-3 years expirence. All I have is 8 month class work. My accounting resume has problems I know, but I don't want to overstate prior duties in prior jobs. (Embelish). Please advise.

Posted by: sanjoy das

2 or multiple pages? It really depends on the position one is applying for. Most Engineering and Technical type people like to send and see a complete resume with dates and each job responsibility. Yes...we are interested to see what the person has done throughout his/her career. We are not simply a one or two page thing...if you have something to add that increases ones value....it's always beneficial to add rather than not mentioning it.  Be mindful about what you write, spelling and ptoper punctuation.

Posted by: Cora Sharp

While you are at it, run spellcheck.  Double check your contact information. I had a friend who was getting no responses because she transposed a couple of letters in her e-mail address.

Posted by: Sagar R.

The third and fourth pointers are key, so I spruced up my resume a bit to make it visually stand out more. That was a good article.

Posted by: raymond short

The comments are valid. A resume must speak to the reader as if you are one of the people who they are looking for. In most cases it is your voice to create a gut feeling in the reader that they might have struck gold. We think that  people use logic (experience and qualifications) only . Read the requirement and get information on the company and arrange the resume to speak their language. When you get face to face develop a new strategy. Act as if you are the person to fix their problem.

Posted by: Annette Barzal

I took the tip of changed fonts to make my resume pop.  Let'ssee what happens.

Posted by: Cassandra G

There are so many different opinions on what a resume should look like or how long it should be.  I had one company tell me they loved how detailed my resume was and said nothing about it being 2.5 pages.  I heard make it as long as you need it to be.  Who really knows.  Everyones opinion is different.

Posted by: Karen Jackson

Thanks for the information.  I was recently told by a temporary service that my resume was too long, so I shortened it tremendously.  I was also told to customize the resume, so it would not appear generic by placing a table of qualifications in it, which I did.  I also recently changed my email address to a more catchy and professional one.  I am sure it is one that will be remembered.

Posted by: A M

I've seen this type of advice on several sites. The only pointer here that may be useful is the suggestion to keep the resume' to 1-2 pages.  There's nothing wrong with using a template.  There's value in following the customs of your industry when presenting your work history.  Starting from a template may be the only way for some people to get started.  Also, a template helps the applicant refrain from adding too much, or forgetting essentials.  If you are too original, you will appear to be eccentric, and that's not good.  Using multiple fonts, when done correctly, can enhance readability.  These fonts may not matter, however, as most resumes are sent through an optical reader searching for keywords.  The pretty layout that the applicant paid $399 for might never be seen by human eyes.Despite the current fever about adjusting your resume for every application, that is not feasible.  First, you should use the real job title you had at your job, not a new, made-up title to fit a job inquiry.  Second, job sites don't work that way.  Most people upload a resume' to various online services, and the resume' on file is used to send to multiple postings found on that site.  The applicant provides the tailored message in the cover letter.Certainly a fanciful email address that indicates something too personal would be sort of inappropriate, but not all fanciful email addresses are a deal-breaker.  If I saw a resume with great qualifications, but an email address like nascardad33@gmail..com, I wouldn't toss the resume'.  Sometimes fanciful is better, when it reflects the industry, or if the person's name is so common it's hard to get that email address.One factor not mentioned is accuracy and honesty.  If you're changing your resume' for each job, fluffing up the description of the tasks to sound like a brag sheet, that's not good, either, whether you get caught or not.I hope everyone resists this tide, and writes an honest and clear resume' that is descriptive, truthful, and most of all, one that gets the job.Good hunting, everybody.  :-)

Posted by: Gary Anthony

I find your article very realistic and highlighted some key points that reflect the true nature of experiential learning.

Posted by: Michael Mulquin

I disagree with the first bullet "1. Your resume that is more than 1 to 2 pages long" I have 18 years of experience in the I.T industry and I cannot remove 5 years of experience because it takes away a lot of skills I have to show like Unix which was in the first 5 years of my career.  Although the last 13 years has been in App Development / SQL Developement a great deal of companies are using Unix platforms.

Posted by: Robert DePriest

I have a 2 page resume, only because I have so much experience in many types of jobs. It is hard to give a complete picture of all my talent and experience in an abbreviated resume. Yet I wonder if it (my resume) is to long for potential employers to read. If you can help me please contact me through the e-mail address I provided. Thank You.

Posted by: Sharon Dahlquist

HELPFUL ARTICLE...GAVE ME SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Posted by: richard c.

thanks really help me to update my resume. thanks again. rich.

Posted by: C. Hunter

I have a single page resume, very concise resume in standard font (Arial 11 pt).  Recruiters are asking for more detailed versions outlining each position held and area of responsibility. When you've advanced at each company, the resume gets longer and longer.  What is the standard...1pg or 2pg maximum.  Recruiter indicated that several individuals they had contact with had reported the same information...resumes maximum of 1pg, scannable fonts, no pictures, etc.  What is the standard?

Posted by: Carla Griffith-Willis

Thank you, this information is very helpful.

Posted by: John Tri

I do disagee on one issue, my resume is 2 pages and I feel I must have that to show the employer the the positions I have had.  I do agree that an unprofessional e-mail address will hurt chances.   I also believe many employers are seeking a more experienced person. I have been in outside sales for over 30 years and do feel my experience should be a benefit to an employer, however, I do sense age descimination.

Posted by: kenneth

Very helpful

Posted by: Dawn Sellers

Does anyone have any comments about using a functional resume vs a chronological resume?  I am 48 and recently graduated with a BBA.  My job experiences and skills have been learned in many areas besides employment.  My last job was 14 yrs but the job title and description leaves too much room for interpretation. some "experts" say a functional resume is better.  What do you think?    

Posted by: Gail King

Very helpful information.  Thanks!

Posted by: Ellisa

I try to tell the students this all the time about their email addresses. I am glad you posted this message. I plan to print it out and place on the board for all to read. Thanks

Posted by: Thaddus Richardson

THANK YOU

Posted by: Ada Brown

This review provides excellent tips. It was worth reading. I'll review my resume and incorporate each of the writer's tips for a better resume presentation of my work skills and experiences. However, writing a resume for a job with the government has been very challenging.

Posted by: Sanjib Sen

Suggest or give an example of an ideal Resume from where I can get the idea.  Thanks

Posted by: FERNANDO SORIANO

I don't know who sets the standard, but the 1 not 2 page rule was thrown out a few years ago.  A 2-pager is now acceptable and many companies expect it.  That leaves the question:  Where does one go to get the final verdict on what is acceptable or not for a resume.  

Posted by: Marie Matthews

Where can I find non generic formats?

Posted by: ashok kaushal

This is a list of some hints that can come up in an unprofessional resume.  These points are not impressive enough.  When you want to make a dent then you need a stronger impact.

Posted by: Daniel Portillo

Getting the interview is not the problem. Employers jump back when they find out how much I made at my previous job. I think they are looking for a bargain knowing how flooded the job market is.

Posted by: Robert Pollion

That is some very helpful information and so to the point about the mistake we make.I am truly going to use it.

Posted by: lanie a.

hi,how i can fix my resume in Professional way?

Posted by: Bruce M.

I have created a resume with the help of an employment agency.  I have used bullets to emphasize my skills, job history and have it on 2 pages.  The font size is 12 and I have created a professional e-mail address.  Still NO JOB!!!  WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST NOW!!!

Posted by: Myra

I found the article informative and agree with Michael on pointers three and four. Thank you for the insight.

Posted by: JOHN S.

Your site has been very helpful, Although I have yet to find a job. I have used all tools provided. Just recently I did exactly what was just posted as 5 ways to make your resume stink. I did this BEFORE you posted those suggestions, but thank you anyway. I will continue to use your site(as well as others) to job search. However, I have found yours to be most informative.

Posted by: Iris W.

Great topic.

Posted by: Michael B.

The third and fourth pointers are key, so I spruced up my resume a bit to make it visually stand out more. That was a good article.