January is often considered an excellent time to apply for jobs, as many companies have fresh budgets and headcounts approved at the start of the year. Hiring managers are also back from vacations and ready to fill positions so they can hit the ground running for the year ahead.
But, a survey also shows that 56% of U.S. workers intend to pursue new job opportunities in 2025. So while many enjoy the holiday break at home, consider updating your resume and having it ready so you can apply promptly when new job listings appear.
Remember to be on the lookout for these five common mistakes job seekers make when crafting resumes and improve your chances toward new opportunities:
Adding Overly Personal Information
Your resume is often your first chance to impress a potential employer, so it should focus on your professional qualifications and achievements. Including irrelevant or sensitive personal details such as your home address or birth date could distract or even raise red flags for potential employers.
Also, avoid putting in political or religious affiliations, irrelevant hobbies, and personal anecdotes that might unintentionally invite bias that can harm your candidacy for the position.
Instead, save the limited space on your resume to showcase your skills, experience, and big wins that can contribute to the company you’re applying for.
Starting With Education When You Have Relevant Experience
As you gain experience in your career, your degree or educational history becomes less significant compared to what you’ve achieved professionally. For example, a recent leadership role or project manager experience is more relevant than a degree you earned five years ago.
By putting your education below your professional experience, you let your career take center stage.
Your resume should focus on what you’ve learned and accomplished along the way. Starting your resume with your experience can quickly show the hiring manager the tangible outcomes (increased sales, improved processes, or leadership successes) you bring to the table. Make sure to list your most recent or most relevant roles first, emphasizing your contributions and achievements in each role.
Listing Responsibilities Instead Of Impact
Simply listing your responsibilities in a role you held for a significant amount of time negatively affects your chances of standing out as a top candidate, as others who had the same role will share the same basic responsibilities and give your resume a generic duty-based look.
Instead of saying that you “managed a team,” write “led a team of 10 to exceed sales targets by 20%”, or instead of “handled social media accounts,” say “increased social media engagement by 35% through targeted content strategies.” By doing so, you show your future employer that you’re capable of delivering outcomes that benefit the company.
Putting Too Many Clichés
Recruiters and hiring managers often receive and scan through dozens or even hundreds of resumes for each job posting. If your resume is packed with overused terms, it’s unlikely to capture their attention.
Clichés are also often seen as “filler” content that people use when they lack concrete examples or achievements to back up their application. Avoid claiming to be a “problem-solver” or “detail-oriented” without providing specific instances of how you have demonstrated these qualities in a professional environment. Employers want to see proof of your skills, not just hear about them.
According to Indeed.com, employers, on average, only look at resumes for six to seven seconds, while others even use an automatic resume scanning system to quickly review resumes. So, focus on improving the elements of your resume that are more relevant instead of making it poetic.
Focusing On The Look Versus Content
While a visually appealing resume can grab attention, excessive design elements can backfire by distracting from the content and making it harder for employers to assess your qualifications. Bold colors, graphics, fonts, or formats can also be confusing and look unprofessional.
Many companies also use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords before a human ever sees them, and using overdesigned resumes with intricate layouts, images, or non-standard fonts may not be recognized by the system, resulting in your resume being rejected before it has been read.
Rather, let your achievements and skills be the standout feature of your resume, not the design. Keep it simple and clean. Use professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and ensure the layout is easy to navigate.
You could also use a single accent color to draw attention without overwhelming the reader. To ensure your document passes ATS scans, make sure to use a plain-text version.
As the job market remains competitive, your resume is your ticket to securing an interview and making a lasting impression on a recruiter, a hiring manager, or your future employer. By avoiding these five common mistakes when crafting your resume, you can create something that truly reflects your identity as a candidate.
Keep in mind that a resume is not just a summary of your career, but rather a tool to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and potential. You should also tailor it to each role you’re applying for to show them you’re an ideal fit for the role.
With a polished resume in hand, you’re one step closer to landing your dream job. If you’re stuck in a rut when making your resume, you can use these free resume templates from Workhap to get you started. Good luck in your job search journey!