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Being too creative in an attempt to stand out.
Keep it simple; don't produce a complicated resume full of multiple tables or columns. Avoid fancy graphics and colors. The typical employer spends less than 30 seconds in their first review of a resume. Stay with one font size and style throughout the resume.
Including an inappropriate personal website url. Personal websites can be a valuable resume tool. Your website can display work samples, references etc. But before placing the url on your resume make certain the website content is appropriate. It should not contain overly personal information, unusual hobbies or any data that might portray the wrong image to a potential employer.
Wide margins that squeeze content down the middle.
Your resume margins should be less than one inch. Appropriate spacing for key information is done by leaving a small amount of space between key sections. Do not force employers to read a narrow column of text.
Using fonts that are too small.
Employers typically sift through many resumes and appreciate well laid out, concise, easy to read documents. Do not use tiny fonts in an attempt to squeeze more information onto the page. Small fonts are difficult to read and do not photocopy well. (That applies to your address block as well.) Any font below a 10 point is too small.
Being too verbose.
Throughout your resume, avoid using excessive words. You're not trying to come across as a politician. You are a concise, to the point tech job candidate! Complete sentences are not necessary. Bulleted lists are often more appropriate.
Typographical errors.
With possibly hundreds of competing resumes, it only takes one misspelled word or use of incorrect grammar (as in "there" versus "their") to place your resume in the trash bin.
Your resume and cover letter must make an outstanding first impression. Mistakes on a resume can be interpreted as a potential for mistakes on the job. Spell check will catch misspelled words, but only careful human proofreading picks up all grammar mistakes or misused words.
Not using the correct name for a university
Do not be creative in naming the universities from which you obtained degrees. Use the institution's full name for example: Washington State University, not a shortened name such as Washington University or the abbreviation WSU. If the name will be used more than once in your resume, you can 1st list the full name with the abbreviated name in parentheses. Then the abbreviation could be used further down in the resume.
Listing full street address for Universities and employers.
It is not necessary to list the full street addresses of Universities or employers. This data only serves to clutter the resume and take up valuable space best used for details that capture a potential employer's attention.
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