10 don’ts of resume writing

As a fresher applying for your first job, your resume is your chance to make a good first impression on potential employers. It’s important to highlight your skills and experience and to make a case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Job markets are competitive, and employers receive numerous applications for each job opening. To stand out from the crowd, your CV needs to be polished and error-free. A well-crafted CV demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail, qualities that employers value in potential candidates. It reflects your ability to communicate effectively.

Here are 10 popular don’ts of resume writing for freshers

1. Don’t use a generic resume. Freshers often feel like they don’t have much experience to put on their resume, so they resort to using a generic template. However, this is a mistake. Employers can spot a generic resume from a mile away, and it’s not likely to make you stand out from the competition.

What to do: Instead, take the time to tailor your resume to each job you apply for. Highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position, and explain how you can use them to contribute to the company.

2. Don’t lie or exaggerate on your resume. It’s important to be honest and accurate on your resume. Employers can conduct background checks, so if you’re caught lying on your resume, it could cost you the job.

What to do: If you don’t have much experience, that’s okay. Focus on highlighting your skills and potential. You can also mention any relevant coursework or volunteer experience.

3. Don’t include irrelevant information. Your resume should be focused on your skills and experience, and how they relate to the job you’re applying for. Avoid including irrelevant information, such as your hobbies, personal interests, or political affiliations.

4. Don’t use too much jargon or technical language. If you’re applying for a job in a technical field, you may need to use some jargon or technical language on your resume. However, it’s important to use it sparingly and in a way that is easy for non-technical readers to understand.

What to do: If you’re not sure whether or not to include a particular term, err on the side of caution and leave it out. You can always explain the term in more detail in your interview.

5. Don’t forget to proofread your resume carefully. Typos and grammatical errors are major red flags for employers. Before you submit your resume, take the time to proofread it carefully.

6. Don’t use a cluttered or unprofessional format. Your resume should be formatted in a way that is easy to read and navigate. Use a clear and concise font, and avoid using too many different font sizes and styles. You should also use white space to break up your text and make it easier to read.

7. Don’t forget to include your contact information. It’s important to include your contact information on your resume so that employers can easily reach you. This should include your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.

8. Don’t include a photo on your resume. Unless you’re applying for a job in the modeling or entertainment industry, there’s no need to include a photo on your resume. Some employers may even view it as unprofessional.

9. Don’t include your references on your resume. Employers will typically ask for your references after they’ve interviewed you and decided to move forward with your candidacy. There’s no need to include your references on your resume upfront.

10. Don’t submit your resume without tailoring it to the job you’re applying for. It’s important to tailor your resume to each job you apply for. This means highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position, and explaining how you can use them to contribute to the company.

What to do: Taking the time to tailor your resume to each job you apply for shows employers that you’re serious about the position and that you’ve taken the time to learn about their company. It also helps to increase your chances of getting an interview.

Additional tips

·         Focus on your relevant skills and experience even if it is not relevant to the job applied for.

·         Use keywords throughout your resume. This will help your resume to be picked up by applicant tracking systems (ATS). You can find keywords in the job description.

·         Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. This will help employers to see the impact of your work.

Here is an example of a CV

XYZ

123 Main Street

Anytown, India

+9111111111111

[email protected]

Personal Snapshot

Recent computer science graduate with a strong passion for data analysis. Proven ability to collect, clean, and analyse large datasets to extract meaningful insights. Expertise in SQL, Python, and Excel. Eager to learn and apply my skills to help a company grow and succeed.

Skills

·         Programming languages: Python, SQL, Excel

·         Data analysis tools: Tableau, Power BI

·         Data visualisation tools: Matplotlib, Seaborn

·         Machine learning algorithms: Linear regression, logistic regression, decision trees, random forests

·         Cloud computing platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP

Experience

·         Data Analyst Intern, Acme Corporation (Summer 2023)

·         Collected, cleaned, and analyzed large datasets to identify trends and patterns

·         Developed and delivered presentations on data findings to management

·         Assisted with the development of new data analysis and reporting processes

Education

·         Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, (University Name), (City)  (GPA: XXX)

·         Relevant coursework: Data Structures and Algorithms, Database Systems, Machine Learning, Statistics

Projects

·         Developed a machine learning model to predict customer churn for a retail company

·         Built a data dashboard to track key performance indicators for a marketing campaign

·         Analyzed social media data to identify trends and patterns in customer sentiment

Awards and Honours

·         Dean’s List, (University Name), (City)

·         President’s List, (University Name), (City)

·         Computer Science Department Award for Academic Excellence

This is just a sample of a resume. You should tailor it to the specific job you are applying for. Be sure to highlight your most relevant skills and accomplishments, and to explain why you are interested in the company and the position.