One typo could mean the difference between a job-landing interview and a rejection notice. Regardless of your qualifications, for many hiring managers, these small resume mistakes are instant dealbreakers. You can cross your fingers that they’ll skim over the error, or take the time to double-check before submitting.
If you don’t want a recruiter to reject you as a candidate, checking is imperative. While the more obvious issues like grammar should be perfected, there are some other things that may not appear so glaring. Here are some of the less-obvious mistakes to look out for.
Overusing buzzwords
You probably have been taught that the inclusion of keywords is important to make it past initial screenings. Many companies use applicant tracking software to weed out unqualified candidates and for this reason, it’s important to include them. However, it is possible to have too many keywords.
It’s easy to slip into the habit of relying on clichés. While you should find creative words to concisely detail what you do – avoid the eye-roll worthy content. Here is a list of buzzwords to avoid.
Not being specific
Your resume is not supposed to be a copy-and-paste version of your job description. Employers want to know what impact you specifically made. Don’t just tell them you managed the food and beverage department. Tell them how many people you managed and how much revenue the restaurant brought in. Make everything quantifiable and measurable. Not only is it more attention-grabbing, but it validates your expertise.
Including a headshot
This may not be an instant dealbreaker, but it’s certainly unnecessary. Even if you have a good headshot, leave it for LinkedIn. If you’re in the hospitality industry, it’s unlikely that you’re looking for a modeling gig. The best judgment call is usually to leave it off.
Being too general
There is a middle-ground between overstuffing with keywords and putting out an untailored resume. If you’re applying to varying roles within hospitality, minor tweaks need to be made in order to cater to each position. When you apply through a recruiter, they will often let you know what modifications to make.
Overly elaborate resume
Simple, clean resume templates are easy to find. Although it’s tempting to go with an attention-grabbing layout, the focus should always be on the content. Take advantage of whitespace. You want your resume to be as easy to skim as possible.
This also means that you should opt for a bulleted list rather than a dense paragraph format. You don’t want anybody to hunt the note-worthy content. The recruiter is unlikely to search and will probably just stop themselves and move on to the next.
Excessive pages
Once you have over seven years of experience under your belt, it’s much harder to shorten your accomplishments. Regardless, it’s best to keep your resume under 2 pages. There’s no way to completely capture years of experience, but you can ensure the highlights are showcased by not oversaturating with excessive text.
Using an “objective statement.”
Instead, use a professional summary in the section below your name in lieu of an objective statement. Write up a couple of sentences that mirror an elevator pitch.
Are you having problems finding the ideal opportunity to showcase your skills and talent in the hospitality industry? Did you know Joseph David International is one of the top hotel recruiters in the country? As such, we have opportunities with companies around the country looking for candidates just like you! For more information about our candidate services or to see current opportunities available, click here.