Jobless manEmployers and recruiters review many resumes. Job seekers need to make sure their resume is neat, professional, and stands out for the right reasons. Even if your resume has all the necessary details, it might not create the impact you want. Other elements could be distracting the employer from recognizing why you are a strong candidate for the job.

1. Photos or graphics

Unless you are applying to be a model or actor, your photo has no place on your resume. Although discrimination is illegal, you could be unintentionally swaying a recruiter’s decision. Graphics and images do little more than take up valuable space. If you are a graphic designer, they could show your abilities, but for the majority of job seekers, it has nothing to do with demonstrating how well they can do the job or the results they achieve.

2. Blocks of text

Employers want to be able to easily scan through your experience and get a feel for what you have done. Lumping everything together into a solid block of text means they have to spend more time trying to pick out key accomplishments. Breaking things up by using bullets to emphasize key points makes it easier to see what you have done and the results you have generated.

3. Irrelevant information

Focus on the essentials that position you as a strong candidate for the job. You do not have to outline every single thing you did in each role. Highlight those that are most relevant and show what you can do for your next employer. It is better to have a concise list with a clear focus rather than making employers try to decide how each bullet point applies.

4. Inconsistencies

Stick with a standard, professional appearance. Using fancy fonts can impact readability or give a more informal impression. Changing the layout part way through can make your resume more confusing to follow. Make sure that if you list the company and then the position, you follow this style throughout. If your job title is bold in one entry, it should be bold in every entry.

5. Hobbies

While there are the occasional times where your hobby may be completely relevant to your career and provide support, many times this is not the case. Listing your hobbies can take the focus away from your professional qualifications because now the employer is distracted trying to determine how they play a part in your fit for the role. If they really want to know how you spend your free time, they could inquire during an interview.

6. Spelling or grammar gaffes

Nothing can turn off an employer quite like a resume littered with spelling and grammar errors. Not only can this change the meaning of a sentence, it can show that you are careless in your work. Strong communication skills are essential in many jobs, and employers want to know that when you are corresponding with clients, you will positively reflect the company. When filling out formal documents, they want to know that they will be accurate. A seemingly minor mistake could have a huge impact.