Using the right tool(s) for the right “job” is literally crucial when it comes to job-hunting. The tools that you’ll need include a resume, a job application letter or even a visume.
Now that you have understood the 3 standard resume formats for jobs in Malaysia, what are some of the resume format mistakes you should absolutely avoid?
Top Resume Format Mistakes You Should Avoid
1. Using The Wrong Resume Format
Here’s a summary of the 3 standard resume formats you should know.
A chronological resume is a traditional format that everyone is familiar with. It emphasises recent work history, listing job positions with the most recent positions on top and the earliest ones at the bottom (reverse chronology).
A functional resume focuses on the specific, relevant skills to the position that job applicants are applying for. Applicants will showcase a professional summary, their skills and work experience closely the positions related to the job application.
A combination resume combines both formats. This type of resume is useful to showcase professional summary, work experience and skills using the reverse chronology method.
To understand each resume formats better, check out this article.
When applying for any job vacancies, remember to create a dedicated resume for that particular job you’re applying for. For example, Accounting and Engineering jobs may favour chronological resumes while Marketing and Designing favour functional resumes.
This is one of the most common resume format mistakes you could do. Try not to use the wrong resume format while applying for a job, or worse, using the same resume format for multiple jobs that are different in nature.
Hiring managers typically spend 6 seconds on average to filter through a single resume. If your resume is not focusing on the right things, you risk losing interview chances immediately.
2. Confusing Achievements For Duties
Another example of a resume format mistake is to confuse achievements for duties. Regardless of any resume format you use, all of them emphasises achievements rather than just duties or job descriptions.
If you are applying for a Sales role and are using a functional resume, you should include your achievement such as “Increased sales revenue by 30%” instead of just writing “Answering sales calls”.
Hiring managers would prefer to know if you could EXCEL in the role that you’re applying for. To stand out amongst hundreds of applicants out there, use your resume wisely to highlight your capabilities and land the interview opportunity.
3. Missing Out Common Sections
There are a few sections that are mandatory to be included in a resume:
- Contact Information
- Resume Summary
- Professional Experience
- Relevant Skills
- Academic Qualifications
In order to maximise your chances of receiving interview opportunities, we’d advise you to make your resume as complete and professional as possible.
Also, try to include a Resume Summary, any volunteer experience or special interests you may have that could be relevant to the applied role.
Making this resume format mistake will risk your resume being marked as “unprofessional” so be mindful of it.
4. Zero Personalisation
The last resume format mistake is using standard or ‘stock’ resume templates when applying for jobs. Using stock templates shows your laziness and suggests that you have not done any research on that particular company or job position.
Make sure that you personalise your resume for each job position you are applying for. Research their website to understand their culture, values and business model. The more you understand about the company, the more personalised your resume can be.
Every company also has different goals, concerns and requirements for a job position. Be sure to address the concerns in your resume and explain how your skills and experiences make you the best candidate for the role.
The Bottom Line
We hope that this article has brought a greater understanding of the top 4 resume format mistakes you must not do when creating your majestic resume.
Once you’ve created a resume with the correct format for the job application, the next task is to brush up on your interview skills. Here at Job Majestic, we have just the right interview tips for you. Check them out!
