If there is one thing that gets most students worked up, it is the mundane task of drafting their resume. Your resume represents your capabilities in a paperback version. It must be reflective of your strengths and skills. Fresh applicants who recklessly design their resumes must be prepared to get them trashed in the nearest bin. First-level job seekers are in a pickle to find a job quickly. The quickest way to land a job is to take your CV seriously. Here are five errors that entry-level job seekers make with their resume.

1. It's too Lengthy

The critical thing to remember is that your resume is not a 1000-word assignment. One must be careful in writing an elaborate yet brief and to-the-point portfolio. The recruiters will barely skim through the relevant sections of your CV. They don’t have time to read every single “smart phrase” that you spun up. Keep your resume short, simple and specific.

2. The Language is Too Tightened and Formal

Some candidates have their job description in such classical, mechanical language that it becomes a chore to read for the recruiter. If your objective says “I presume to fulfil this fine establishment with my virtuoso and masterly approach”, then rest assured your clunky language will have the recruiter shaking his head in hysterics. You are neither Shakespeare nor Milton; keep the tone fresh, upbeat and somewhat conversational.

3. It is Not All About You

Another mistake that fresh applicants make with their resume is redundantly listing their strengths and skills. The recruiter doesn’t care per se about your “solid work-ethic” or “adaptability”. Throwing ambiguous and competent sounding words does nothing to “embellish” the resume. The recruiter cares about the specifics of your skills. What can you do for them? Keep the CV relevant to the job opening that you applied to.

4. Listing Fuzzy Facts

Fresh applicants who lie in their resume tread on a dangerous path. Remember that anything you jot down in the interview can be asked by the recruiter. Be cautious when listing skills or acronyms that you have no knowledge or experience of, nobody wants to be stuck in the awkward moment of breathlessly fumbling for answers that you don’t have. Ensure that your resume facts are honest and transparent.

5. Specificity and Context of Your Skills Matter

Listing your daily previous job responsibilities is great. However, mentioning the specific tasks and targets that you were able to achieve within the company would be greater. The recruiter wants to get a precise picture of your capabilities. Skill listing like “I was able to complete and standardise six units a day” is more relevant to the company than saying “I have great time management skills”.

In a sea of resumes, yours could get easily lost if it follows a banal, standard outline. However, you can improve your chances if you follow the above guidelines. The right language and tone, combined with proper context are important factors to consider.