Copied by Dr. Harold Smith Wretched Resumes Ft. Worth Star Telegram November 7, 2005 Copied by Dr. Harold Smith

Twelve Biggest Mistakes People Make with their resumes

Avoid at all cost! 1. Using distracting fonts, formats, or graphics. Even if you’re applying for an arts or graphics job, it’s a mistake to do an elaborate design. When you email it to a hiring manager, there’s no telling what it will look like on his computer.

Avoid at all cost! 2. Taking an overly informal, conversational tone. This is wrong whether it’s in the resume itself or your cover letter, your email correspondence with your potential employer—or the email address you use.

Avoid at all cost! Email addresses are free. Create a new one for your job search. You don’t want your business address to be kissmekate@unstoppable.com

Avoid at all cost! 3. Including your salary requirements. It’s too soon to bring up the subject of money when you haven’t landed an interview.

Avoid at all cost! 4. Dissing your past and present employers. This makes you look bad. It signals you are not part of a team. You are not a team player.

Avoid at all cost! 5. Submitting a resume that’s more than three pages long.

Avoid at all cost! 6. Including hobbies and interests. You may think snowboarding makes you seem adventurous and well-rounded. The potential employer sees you in a hospital, in traction, unable to do your work.

Avoid at all cost! 7. Listing reasons for leaving current and past jobs. These are subjects you may discuss in an interview if brought up by the interviewer.

Avoid at all cost! Dropping names of celebrities, politicians and business moguls.

Avoid at all cost! Failing to catch typos. It calls into question your attention to details.

Avoid at all cost! Lying on your resume.

Avoid at all cost! Failing to attach a cover letter.

Avoid at all cost! Failing to customize your resume to the job you are seeking.