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CV/RESUME MISTAKES

It is deceptively easy to make mistakes on your CV/resume and exceptionally

difficult to repair the damage once an employer gets it. So prevention is critical, especially

if you have never written one before. Check out this guide which includes the mostcommon pitfalls and how you can avoid them.

Typos and Grammatical Errors

Your CV needs to be grammatically perfect. If it does not meet this requirement,

employers will read between the lines and draw not-so-flattering conclusions about you,

like: "This person can't write," or "This person obviously doesn't care."

Lack of Specifics

Employers need to understand what you have done and accomplished. For example:

A. Worked with employees in a hospital setting.B. Recruited, hired, trained and supervised more than 20 employees in a hospital.

Both of these phrases could describe the same person, but the details and specificsin example B will more likely grab an employer's attention.

Attempting One Size Fits All

Whenever you try to develop a one-size-fits-all CV to send to all employers, you

almost always end up with something employers will toss in the recycle bin. Employerswant you to write a CV specifically for them. They expect you to clearly show how andwhy you fit the position in a specific organization.

Highlighting Duties Instead of Accomplishments

It is easy to slip into a mode where you simply start listing job duties on your CV.

For example:

* Attended group meetings and recorded minutes.

* Worked with children in a day-care setting.

* Updated departmental files.

Employers, however, are interested in what you have accomplished in your various

activities. They are looking for statements more like these:

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* Used laptop computer to record weekly meeting minutes and compiled them in

a Microsoft Word-based file for future organizational reference.

* Reorganized 10 years worth of unwieldy files, making them easily accessible to

department members.

Going on Too Long or Cutting Things Too Short

Despite what you may read or hear, there are no real rules governing CV length.Why? Because human beings, who have different preferences and expectations where CVs

are concerned, will be reading it.

That does not mean you should start sending out five-page CVs, of course.

Generally speaking, you usually need to limit yourself to a maximum of two pages. But donot feel obliged to use two pages if one will do. Conversely, do not downsize your CV in

order to make it conform to an arbitrary one-page standard.

A Bad Objective

Employers do read your CV's objective statement, but too often they plow throughvague pufferies like, "Seeking a challenging position that offers professional growth." Give

employers something specific and, more importantly, something that focuses on their needs

as well as your own. Example: "A challenging entry-level marketing position that allowsme to contribute my skills and experience in fund-raising for nonprofits."

No Action Verbs

Avoid using phrases like "responsible for." Instead, use action verbs: "Resolved

user questions as part of an IT help desk serving 4,000 students and staff."

Leaving Off Important Information

You may be tempted, for example, to eliminate mention of the jobs you have takento earn extra money for school. Typically, however, the soft skills you have gained from

these experiences (e.g., work ethic, time management) are more important to employers

than you might think.

Visually Too Busy

If your CV is wall-to-wall text featuring five different fonts, it will most likely givethe employer a headache. So show your CV to several other people before sending it out.

Do they find it visually attractive? If what you have is hard on the eyes, revise.

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Incorrect Contact Information

Double-check even the most minute, taken-for-granted details -- sooner rather thanlater.

COVER LETTER MISTAKES

Using the Wrong Cover Letter Format

The student's cover letter looked more like a cut-and-paste email than a business

letter. It had no recipient information, no return address and no date. The letter screamedIm unprofessional.

Be sure your cover letter uses a standard business-letter format. It should include

the date, the recipient's mailing address and your address.

Making It All About You

It may seem counterintuitive, but your cover letter, like your CV, should be about

the employer as much as it is about you. Yes, you need to tell the employer about yourself,but do so in the context of the employer's needs and the specified job requirements.

Not Proofing for Typos and Grammatical Errors

Employers tend to view typos and grammatical errors as evidence of your

carelessness and inability to write. Proofread every letter you send. Get additional cover

letter help by asking a friend who knows good writing double-check your letter for you.

Making Unsupported Claims

Too many cover letters from college students and recent grads say the applicant has

"strong written and verbal communication skills." Without evidence, it is an empty boast.

Give some examples for each claim you make. Employers need proof.

Writing a Novel

A good cover letter should be no longer than one page. Employers are deluged withCVs and cover letters, and their time is scarce. Make sure your cover letter has three or

four concise but convincing paragraphs that are easy to read. If your competitor's letter

rambles on for two pages, guess which candidate the employer will prefer.

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Using the Same Cover Letter for Every Job and Company

Employers see so many cover letters that it is easy for them to tell when you areusing a one-size-fits-all approach. If you have not addressed their company's specific

concerns, they will conclude you do not care about this particular job.

It is time-consuming but worthwhile to customize each cover letter for the specificjob and company.

Not Sending a Real Cover Letter

Some job seekers -- college students, recent grads and even those with years of

work experience do not bother sending a cover letter with their CV. Others type up a one

or two-sentence "here's my CV" cover letter, while others attach handwritten letters orsticky notes.

RECOMMENDATION MISTAKES

Many applicants are eager to get letters from famous professors they took classes

from. The problem is that classes taught by famous professors almost always havehundreds of students.

It is better to get a letter from someone who has got a chance to know you and your

personality and to understand what motivates you to pursue a career in medicine. Choose a

member of the teaching staff who taught a small seminar course, or who saw you work in aresearch or clinical volunteer setting.

Another common applicant mistake is to select recommenders whose letters will

not answer questions about your potential as a health care professional.Moreover, even qualified recommenders are a poor choice if they know you so well

that they may not be seen as objective. Avoid getting recommendations from family

friends, even if that includes the Chair of Surgery at the local medical school. Even if therecommendation is glowing, it may not carry as much punch as one that does not have the

potential for bias.

Applicants should also avoid monotony and consider the combined impact their

three recommendation letters will have. A little diversity may be the key to success.It would be much more effective to include a letter from a literature or classics or

philosophy professor who might be able to say something like, Sarah brings a refreshing

and unique perspective to our philosophical discussions which is not typical of someonewho has such academic achievement in the sciences. That would show the admissions

committee that you are strong across the board, not just in science.

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