We all make mistakes. But one on your resume will quickly disqualify you from getting an interview.

A recent survey of human resource managers identified seven of the most common mistakes job seekers make on their resumes. These are the blunders the survey respondents said are instant deal breakers:

Typos or bad grammar

A whopping 77 percent of survey respondents said typos or poor grammar on a resume will instantly disqualify the applicant from consideration. This is why it’s extremely important to proofread your resume multiple times before you apply.

Unprofessional email address

GamerDude64@email.com may have been a cool email handle in middle school, but 35 percent of HR managers said it will eliminate an applicant from the candidate pool quick if it’s on their resume.

Most pre-interview communication happens through email, so your email address will be one of the first things a recruiter looks for on your resume. You could be the epitome of professionalism in person, but if your email address is unprofessional, you can count on not getting an interview.

Resume without quantifiable results

A lot of job seekers will include a laundry list of tasks and duties on their resume instead of highlighting their accomplishments. But 34 percent of HR managers said they want to see a resume with quantifiable results. That’s why it’s so important to include hard numbers that quantify your accomplishments. If you supervised a team, tell us how many people; if you increased sales, tell us by how much. Adding values to your accomplishments give HR managers a more complete picture of your successes and skills.

Resume with long paragraphs of text

When weeding through dozens, possibly hundreds, of resumes, HR Managers don’t have time to read huge chunks of text. That’s why 25 percent said resumes with long paragraphs can disqualify a candidate from contention. Your resume should be easily scannable. Employ bulleted lists and short, 2-4 sentence paragraphs on your resume to keep it concise and to the point.

Resume is generic, not customized to company

HR managers see so many resumes, they can recognize a generic resume every time. And 18 percent say candidates with a generic resume won’t make the cut. To have the best chance at the job, you should customize your resume for each application. To do so, use the job description as a guide. Determine what responsibilities for the open position align with your skills and include those on your resume. You should also include keywords from the job description so Applicant Tracking Systems will flag your resume as belonging to a qualified applicant.

Resume is more than two pages

Two-page resumes are ok, especially if you’ve been in the workforce for a while. But three pages is a bit too much according to 17 percent of survey respondents. If your resume stretches to three pages, look for irrelevant or outdated experience you can cut.

No cover letter with resume

For some job seekers, writing a cover letter is a pointless endeavor. But it’s actually one of the most important aspects of any job search. And 10 percent of HR managers said they would eliminate a candidate from consideration if they didn’t include a cover letter. Cover letters are the first thing that many HR managers see. It can create a positive first impression that encourages someone to read your resume. So don’t let a missing cover letter ruin your chances at a job.

 

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Contact Morgan Hutner Healthcare. Since 2002, we’ve placed hundreds of healthcare IT professionals at hospitals and health clinics across the country. Whether you’re seeking a consultant opportunity or a full-time position, we can help. Contact us today or check out our available jobs.

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