By: Samantha Werry
"No offense, thebigcheese@domain.com, but if nobody has told you yet, we're telling you now: That e-mail address is not making you look particularly professional."
Everyone wants to be as professional as possible when creating your email, right? Well there are some items on your resume that make you seem unprofessional even though your writing is to the T. Some people do not even think of these sort of topics being unprofessional. Below are 13 things you need to watch out for to make sure you do not sound unprofessional.
1. Random/cute/shared e-mail accounts
Unprofessional e-mail addresses are just one way of sending hiring managers the wrong message. If you want to be taken seriously, you need to have everything be serious and understandable to the person reading it. The quote above tells the hiring manager that the person does not take himself professionally enough, but instead, tries to be funny or cute. E-mail accounts are free and can be what ever you want them to be, but make sure you keep it consistent to your name as to make it easier for them to remember you.
2. Failure to proofread
"Deidre Pannazzo, executive director at Inspired Resumes, said it's 'amazing' how many people submit resumes that contain 'numerous typos and misspellings.'" Yes spell check is there to help you, but it cannot get ever piece of information you misspell. Say you are trying to type 'of' but type 'in' instead. The best thing you can do is to have someone proofread it for you. They are not used to what you are trying to say and will actually read it. Also, our Peer Partners here in Liberal Arts are here and more than willing to help you with your resumes. So use them for help!
3. Bikini pictures
If you attach an image along with your resume, HR can even discard the resume all together. When people do this, it sets themselves up for having a reason to be prejudged. HR tries to solve this problem by simply discarding the resume to avoid this.
4. Unprofessional voicemail
If your resume is strong enough to get a callback from an employer, you better have a good voicemail set up incase you cannot reach your phone at the time they call. This will solidify their judgement on you and make them feel even better if you are consistent. If you have a crazy voicemail that you are singing your information, you make yourself unprofessional. It can be fun for some occasions, but if your trying to get a job, it will look bad and actually hurt your chances.
5. Lazy words, 'ect.'
Do NOT use ect on a resume. It shows you are too lazy to actually take the time to fill out the qualifications. It makes it seem like you are lazy and just do not have the time.
6. Cookie-cutter resumes
I know it seems easier to have one resume and cover letter for all the jobs you are applying for because, lets face it, finding a job is hard and takes a lot of time. But trust me, it is important to take your time to make sure you are being specific to the company and job description.
7. Everything but the kitchen sink
Basically, if you have information that takes up over 2 pages, they will not read it. The hiring managers do not have time to sit their and read all applications if they are that long. Keep it short and to the point as much as possible.
8. Listing a spouse as a reference
9. Not spelling out the name of an employer or school
10. Not providing a city or state for an employer or school
11. Omitting the area code from a phone number for a reference or employer
12. Providing only a first name for a supervisor or reference
13. Including phone numbers that are no longer in service for references or employers
Source: http://www.theladders.com/career-advice/13-ways-your-resume-can-say-im-unprofessional
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