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Today's job search can be utterly confusing, disorienting, and even downright intimidating. Trying to figure out where to post the resume, writing a cover letter, and navigating the sometimes murky waters of using social media in the job search can be time consuming. In the rush for a new job, what can job seekers do to avoid common resume mistakes?

The Purpose of a Resume

A resume is a marketing tool used to promote a job seeker's skills to interested employers. Rather than simply a flat listing of work experience, the resume should proactively sell the candidate to companies with open positions. Thus, it is highly important that the job seeker write the resume according to proper resume type, structure, and formatting.

Writing to the Correct Resume Type

Merely listing education, skills, work experience, and a one-sentence objective on a sheet of paper is not sufficient to qualify for a successful job search strategy. The job seeker must consider several types of resumes depending on the applicant's employment history. For example, an applicant who has lengthy gaps in employment (or is changing careers) may wish to consider writing a functional resume; while the candidate who has a consecutive, uninterrupted work history may opt for a traditional reverse chronological resume.

Avoiding Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Errors

The number one error employers look for is spelling or grammar oversights on both the resume and cover letter. Job seekers should always run the word processor's spellchecker to ensure spelling accuracy. Proper grammar and punctuation is important as well; mistakes such as run-on sentences, misplaced apostrophes, and improper use of capitalization can make the candidate appear uneducated and unqualified.

Inflating the Resume

In today's difficult job market, inflating or even lying on the resume is tempting to get a leg up on the competition. But if the employer suspects the candidate has not been honest about job skills and experience, it is a surefire guarantee the job application will be immediately discarded. Job seekers should always highlight relevant experience but never lie just to land the job.

Using Sample Resumes

Numerous sites on the web provide free resume and cover letter samples. These are extremely handy and can be quite effective in learning proper structure, and formatting for various resume types. About.com offers numerous resume examples. Workbloom is another site that offers a range of resume samples to view and work from.

Don't let a few mistakes get between you and your dream job. By taking measures including writing to the correct resume type; avoiding grammar, spelling and punctuation errors; being honest on the resume; and using sample resumes, you'll find the chances of interested employers following up with you for new job opportunities will increase.

Learn more about this author, Daniel J. Gansle.
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