From Hot Mess to Hired, Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

PRLog (Press Release) - May 4, 2011 - As students across America prepare for graduation, both on campuses as well as online colleges and certification programs , attention is shifting from finals to getting a job. To assist new graduates, eLearners.com has identified the most common resume mistakes to avoid. From omitting pertinent information or embellishing details, to showcasing duties instead of accomplishments, or having a resume riddled with typos, there are many unnecessary blunders students unfamiliar with the working world often make.

To determine if you are guilty of one or more of these common resume mistakes, ask yourself the following questions:

- Is your objective statement general instead of tailored to each job you’re applying to?
- Does your resume feature descriptions of past jobs rather than highlighting your accomplishments?
- Did you stretch the truth?
- Are you including too much information instead of hitting the high notes?
- Are you using the old-fashioned “reverse-chronological” format?
- Did you forget to proofread, or have someone else proofread, your resume?
- Is your resume printed on stock printer paper instead of nice stationery?
- Are you using the same resume for every employer, regardless of the job?
- Are you skipping the cover letter?
- Did you use a resume template?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you can find tips on how to fix these resume mistakes by visiting http://www.elearners.com/recession/common-resume-mistakes....

Another common resume mistake is using tired, overused phrases, which can land it in the dreaded resume black hole. CareerBuilder.com recommends that to avoid having a resume that reads like a boilerplate, job applicants should steer clear of phrases like those below:

•   Results-oriented professional
•   Strong communications skills
•   Introduced new products
•   Track record of success
•   Possesses leadership skills
•   Exceeded productivity goals
•   “Go-to” person
•   Team player
•   Served as company spokesperson
•   Partnered with others

Your resume is the first impression a prospective employer gets of who you are as a job candidate and can determine whether you’ll get an interview or not. A good resume free of these common mistakes can increase your chances of getting an interview and ultimately landing a job. For more information and resources, visit eLearners.com.  

About eLearners.com®
Since 1999, eLearners.com has been successfully connecting students with colleges and universities for a variety of college degree programs and certificate programs, specialized career training and online college classes. eLearners.com provides prospective students with a powerful search engine for finding thousands of online program offerings, as well as educational evaluation tools and financial aid resources. eLearners.com offers colleges and universities a low-cost, performance-based method to gain national exposure and increase enrollments in their programs. Visit eLearners.com to learn more.

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