Your resume is the key to getting your foot in the door. It’s the first impression and one way to land that elusive phone call with the best phrase you’ll hear during your job search: “We’d like to bring you in for an interview.” (Well, that is until you hear, “We’d like to give you an offer.”) So what does that mean? Hopefully that you’ve polished up that one-page document to be the best one-page document you’ve ever created in your life. That’s why it’s so hard to come to the realization that your resume has been looked over. Thrown to the side. Discarded. But there are a few reasons why that may have happened. And the good news is that you can fix those mistakes.
MISTAKE: You used too much business jargon.
SOLUTION: Write like a human not a robot. It’s important to include key words that are relevant to the job description but it’s also important to tell a story. While key words may get you a phone call, the story is what is going to get you the job. Make sure your experiences paint a worthy picture for this position.
MISTAKE: You sent the same resume in for 5 different positions at the company — and they were all in completely different departments.
SOLUTION: Ask yourself what it is that you’re looking for in a position and why you are uniquely qualified. It’s better to spend more time applying responsibly to one position than to sloppily apply for twelve different positions. Be thoughtful with each application you send and tailor each resume to each position.
MISTAKE: You sent your resume too late.
SOLUTION: Do a little recon on your own. Get in touch with a recruiter and ask if they’re still hiring for a position that’s been listed online for an extended period of time before you dedicate hours on your application. Sign up for job alerts so you’re the first to know when something great opens — and be quick to throw your name into the hat.
Spectrum Brands Careers Blog 
November 6, 2014
Career Advice