Inconsistencies

The first thing a recruiter is likely to do after receiving your resume is check you out on LinkedIn. This is often when inconsistencies crop up because the information on your resume might not match the information on your LinkedIn profile. This is not to say that your resume and LinkedIn profile should be mirror images. But they should match when it comes to current and past employers, job titles, and dates of employment.

Unfortunately, when candidates prepare a resume, they often "lump" all their work at an employer under their current (and likely most prestigious) title. This is bad for two reasons. First, it fails to show career advancement. Second, it makes employers wonder what other inaccuracies they may find.

It’s important to break out each role you’ve held at a company with its own title, set of dates, and bullet points describing your achievements. If your resume lacks this structure, recruiters may overlook valuable experience simply because it’s not clearly presented. Take the time to align your resume and LinkedIn profile; doing so builds credibility and makes your job history easier to understand at a glance.

Incomplete Contact Information

This may seem like a no-brainer, but some people are so focused on the meat of their resume that they forget to include their contact info. When you're looking for a job, it's important to make it easy for interested parties to contact you. Some recruiters prefer to contact candidates via email. Others would rather just call.

Of course, if they really want to contact you, it's not impossible to find your phone number or email address. But why would you want to make a potential employer jump through hoops? Be respectful of the preferred communication styles of others by providing complete contact information. While you're at it, put your LinkedIn URL on your resume, too.

Including a professional LinkedIn profile link boosts your credibility and gives hiring managers easy access to a deeper look at your experience, recommendations, and endorsements. Plus, optimizing your resume for recruiter accessibility is key; if they can’t reach you quickly, they’ll move on to someone they can. Double-check that your contact details are up to date and easy to spot—ideally at the top of your resume—to avoid missing out on opportunities simply because you were hard to find.

Irrelevant Information

Resumes that highlight outside activities that directly contradict a candidate's job aspirations are just a waste of valuable space! Think of an accountant with a side business designing jewelry. Or resumes that include sports activities, like being on the soccer team, when the candidate graduated 15 years ago. While you're at it, unless you graduated in the last five years, there's no reason to include graduation dates or your GPA.

Besides being irrelevant, including a few lines about leading your college team to victory (unless you're a recent grad) takes up valuable space that could be used to focus on your skills and achievements—things employers actually care about!

Your resume needs to make a good first impression, one that will make a recruiter or hiring manager want to learn more and possibly contact you for an interview. Don't waste space with irrelevant information. Don't confuse them with inconsistencies or make them go into detective mode to find you. Begin your relationship with a potential employer as the candidate to beat.

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