5 Reasons Why Your Resume Sucks

Read time: ~5 minutes.

We’re going to go over the 5 most common reasons why you’re not getting traction on your resume.

This is extremely important. Your resume is the main marketing document you use to attract employers to you. When done correctly, it’s a lead-generating machine. You will be getting calls & emails each day from recruiters like me, allowing you to pick and choose what to apply for.

When it’s not, your resume is just hidden in the abyss where we can’t find you, or recruiters are choosing to pass up on your background.

Now, let's dive in 👇

#1: You think visuals > readability

Readability is more important than “visuals” for your resume.

• Recruiters & hiring managers do not spend hours at a time reviewing your resume. Since they’re extremely busy, you’re likely getting 15-30 seconds at a time.

• If you’re just as worried about making your resume look nice and pretty instead of making it easy to read, that’s going to effect the readability of your resume. Drop the charts, diagrams, tables, etc.

• Will it lead to an automatic rejection every time? No. But will it increase the chances you’ll get passed up on over time? yes.

Check out my free resume templates here.

#2: You’re not quantifying your impact

Show the reader how you’ve made a direct impact to the project, group, org, and/or company.

• You told me what you did. Cool. But how did it positively effect the team?

• Employers are more interested in tangible results. Showing them the numbers will resonate with them more than candidates who leave them out.

• Use #’s and %’s to quantify how exactly you contributed to the bottom line. Did you make things more efficient, increase sales, reduce downtime, etc.

#3: Your resume isn’t relevant

Your resume needs to be tailored to each job you apply to.

• Each individual job posting has a unique pain point as to why the role is open. Find those pain points, highlight your skills to fit those pain points, then apply.

• You can find these in the project description (what they’re doing), job description (what/who they’re looking for), and the required skills. Analyze these and edit accordingly.

• You don’t need to completely re-do your resume each time. Your “base foundation” resume + a few edits to highlight & emphasize certain key skills should do the trick.

Post your base resume on the job boards & linkedin, and tailor your resume as you actively apply to each job.

#4: It’s not specific enough.

Specific resumes > generic resumes, every time.

• This isn’t a job description. Writing generic roles & responsibilities won’t get you anywhere.

• Use the top accomplishments, keywords, & skills that are the most relevant in your profession & from your most recent projects.

• A good method to use is Google’s XYZ Method.

Google describes this as “Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z].”Main Point #1: 

#5: No Contact Information

This seems like common sense, but I can’t tell you how often this occurs. Arguably the easiest way to get yourself rejected.

• Include both your phone number & email on your resume as well as preferred method of contact (call, text, email).

• If you leave out your information, we’re moving onto the next candidate who has all the information.

• Even if you’re leaving just your email, and not your phone, after we send you an email to engage in a conversation, we’re moving onto & calling the next candidate. While that’s not an automatic rejection, you risk getting left behind over time.

Call To Action

I hope you go back and take an objective look at your resume, see if you’re making these mistakes, and edit them real quick. Once you do, you’ll start fielding calls from recruiters like me all day!

As always, here’s a 50% discount for my subscribers on my ebook here