4 Common Mistakes Found in Entry Level Resumes
Updated: July 11, 2016
Recent college or high school graduates frequently make mistakes on their resumes that could be potentially prohibit their chances of receiving an interview. Eliminate these common mistakes found in entry level resumes to drastically increase your chances of landing the interview. Eliminate these common mistakes found in entry level resumes to drastically increase your chances of landing the interview.
Should I add GPA to my resume?
There are a few things to consider before adding your GPA to your resume. The first one may be obvious: is your GPA good?
3.5 – 4.0 GPA – Add it!
3.0 – 3.5 GPA – It is generally a good idea add your GPA if it is above a 3.0; however, this may depend upon the position you are applying to.
2.0 – 3.0 GPA – It is recommended to leave your GPA out of your resume. Highlight school projects and coursework instead.
If you are hesitant whether or not you should add your grade point average to your resume, consider adding the GPA for your major instead of your cumulative GPA. This may be a higher average – hopefully – since it’s what you were going to school for.
Using a boring resume template
Imagine being a recruiter in Human Resources and looking through hundreds of applicants – all utilizing a standard, plain, and boring resume design. Most entry level job seekers go this route because they consider it “safe”. Go against the grain. Create a resume template with Word that showcases your creativity. Add color, add designs, add unique font types, or even add a QR code to your LinkedIn profile. All of these unique aesthetics will make you stand out from the crowd and leave a lasting impression.
Stressing out over limited work experience? Don’t fret!
Recent graduates often worry about not having enough work experience in order to land a job within their career path. Employers are not expecting you to have 5 years of experience as a Software Developer when you graduate with your Bachelors of Computer Science. If you are applying for an entry level position, focus on course work and school projects that showcase your skills and knowledge. Take it a step further and include things you have learned in your spare time (skills, languages, techniques). This highlights your dedication to the given career area.
Less is better
Entry level resumes should not exceed one page. You want the resume to me informative and to the point. Stretching the resume to multiple pages only enables boredom to the employer because you will not have enough pertinent experience to utilize two or more pages. Using one page will also make you leave out irrelevant jobs. Who cares you were a newspaper boy at age 14 when you’re applying for an accountancy traineeship?
