With millions of Americans looking for work, it's important that job seekers avoid basic mistakes in order to stand out in a crowded field of qualified candidates. A strong, relevant resume is essential and could help a candidate not only land an interview, but lead to an offer, according to Business Insider. According to the news source, job seekers should think twice when it comes to their resume's summary statement. A summary should always be included on a resume, but should be tailored to custom fit each job description, making sure that it highlights how his or her skills will benefit the company. Job seekers should avoid resumes that are highly stylized or uniquely formatted. Although many candidates think that added personal touches will get them noticed, a resume needs to be easy to read so it can be quickly scanned by potential employers or a company's applicant tracking system. Resumes should be free of vague, generalized descriptions that don't provide any solid information. Job seekers should make sure their resume describes their accomplishments and how they have made an impact in the past. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were approximately 3.3 million job openings in the U.S. as of November 2011. |