The average employer spends around six seconds reading over
your resume before they make the decision whether to read on, or to throw it
out. Even after they decide to read further through your resume, there are some
sections that are unnecessary and won’t be read over. Here are the ten things
an employer won’t read in your resume, and why keeping your resume short is
better.
1. A lengthy promotional paragraph
This will not attract an employer to read further as this
will take much longer than six seconds. Instead, aim this section at the
specific job you are hiring for. For
example, include the name of the company that was listed on the job description,
how you would fit into that company, and what benefits you would bring them.
2. An ‘objective’ section
Employers generally aren't interest in reading what you want
to do or where you want to go, but they want to know how you will fit into the
job role and what relevant skills you can bring. If you do include this
section, ensure that it is tailored correctly to the job you are applying for.
3. Irrelevant experience/skills
An extremely detailed and extensive work experience or skills
list might look amazing, but an employer will not commit the time to carefully
examine this. Aim to only include those skills that are relevant to the
position you are applying for to attract the employer’s attention. As an example,
four years of labouring work experience will not help if you’re applying to become
a podiatrist.
4. Unrelated and detailed responsibilities
Try to keep your responsibilities at previous jobs to a
minimum (four dot points max per role) so you don’t discourage the employer
from reading on. In addition, don’t include any responsibilities that are not
related to the current job you are applying for.
5. Paragraphs
Although you may find it easier to express yourself in
paragraph form and demonstrate your vocabulary skills, avoid using them. Dot points
will attract interest to your resume as it is easier to read and the relevant
information they are looking for is clearer.
6. Extensive past work experience
An extensive work history looks fantastic if you’ve worked
in a number of industries over a long period of time. However, unconnected past
experience (especially those over ten years ago) do not need to be on a resume.
This just adds more bulk and creates a less appealing read for an employer.
7. Chronological work experience
As a potential employer will only glance briefly at your
resume, don’t put your previous work experience in chronological order. They
have no interest in what you did over ten years ago and will not read this.
Instead, present your work history in reverse chronological order showing your most
recent role on the front page.
8. An over share of personal information
It is always nice to include a small section at the end of a
resume detailing your interests so that potential employers have a brief
personal touch, but too much information is not wanted. As a rule, keep this
information to no more than four hobbies. Sharing on a resume your favourite TV
show or your passion for yoga will not help you get the job.
9. Long cover letters
Some employers don’t even read cover letters, but it can be
a worthwhile addition alongside your resume. Like your resume, short and simple is better.
As a guide, aim for a cover letter no longer than one A4 page. A long cover
letter is unlikely to get a second glance from an employer, so keep it concise
and make sure it contains information that is specific to the job you are
applying for.
10. High school information
For anyone who has graduated from high school, this is
unnecessary information. An employer doesn’t care what high school you
attended, or how talented you were there. Avoiding this section will save space
and make your resume smaller.
Writing a resume can be daunting, but following these ten tips
will help to make it clear and concise. Keeping your resume short means an
employer is more likely to read through it, and increases your chance of earning
the role you are applying for. If you would like further information and advice on resume writing, please see our Resume Tips.
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