Five Biggest Resume Mistakes You Can Fix Yourself
A career consultant can diagnose and overhaul a troubledresume. But you can check off the basics yourself. Mistake #1. "The mystery applicant." No contactinformation. Fix: List a daytime phone number and email address, right atthe top of the page. Create a professional-sounding messagefor your answering device. Mistake #2. "The scrunchie." Loads of detail crammedtogether in eight-point type. Fix: Add lots of white space, avoid tiny type and use bulletpoints instead of long paragraphs. If you've got a story totell, most reviewers will happily turn to a second page. Mistake #3: "List of tasks and duties." Obituary of a boringemployee. Fix: Sell yourself by focusing on accomplishments.Demonstrate the impact of your achievements. Describeactions, not obligations. Mistake #4: "The expressionist." Sets off alarm bells. Fix: Choose chronological rather than functional form,especially if you use traditional job-hunting sources: HRdepartments, recruiters, and advertisements. Off the beatenpath, use a sales letter or network your way to in-personpresentations. Mistake #5: "Creative language." Spelling, grammar andpunctuation errors. Proof-read and ask a friend to help. Computerized spellingand grammar checks won't catch everything. Acarefully-prepared resume will stand out more than you canimagine. About The Author Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com. "Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294 | | | | RELATED ARTICLES The Network Within When you hear the word "networking", what comes to your mind first? If You Think You Cant Change Course... Youre Right  How People Really Explore New Careers: What Does A Real Career Search Look Like? The traditional model of career choice suggests a linear pattern. Get to know yourself. 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