Writing a resume is usually a mission to impress. You want to represent yourself in the best light, and to ensure that you woo employers over with your skills.
For most job seekers, this normally means including every skill they have acquired over the years in their resume. While this can be a good thing sometimes, it is almost always never a good idea.
“The downside of including every skill you possess in your resume is that the employers don’t have much time to go over your application, and hence may end up seeing some of your weaker skills,” said Issa Asad Florida entrepreneur and businessman. Mr. Asad is the CEO of Q Link Wireless and Quadrant Holdings, located in South Florida. He is also the author of 4 e-commerce and marketing e-books that can be purchased on Amazon.
Here, Issa Asad Says to Stop Putting These 5 Things On Your Resume:
1. Basic Computer Skills
Decades ago including your ability to use emails and Microsoft programs might have been impressive, but that is no longer the case. In fact, including basic computer skills will do you more harm than good. In this day and age, operating a computer is expected of all employees, so why include it in your resume? Many employers will view it as an unnecessary waste of space, and this could negatively affect the chances of landing your dream job.
2. Vague Soft Skills
Many employers are out to hire job applicants who have various soft skills, so it might not be such a bad idea to include them in your resume. Where many applicants go wrong is in listing these skills in a vague way. Saying that you have “good leadership skills” adds little if any value to your resume. Listing multitasking on your resume also makes little difference.
For instance, you can quote a specific situation in your former job where you demonstrated these soft skills so as to make them more credible. Just be very brief in your description so as not to tire the employer.
3. A Foreign Language You’re Not Fluent In
You may be strongly tempted to include a foreign language you know in your resume, but only do so if you can communicate well in the language. That you learnt German for a while ten years ago does not add any value to your resume, so avoid listing it as a skill.
4. Outdated Technology
Additionally, you should be careful with the type of tech skills you include in your resume. If the technology was widely in use a few years back, you will not strike employers as the most progressive employee, and this will detract from your worth in their eyes.
5. Exaggerations
One can easily understand that job seekers have to impress potential employers. But taken too far, this can prove to be disastrous. No matter how badly you need that job, restrain from including skills in your resume that you do not possess.
It doesn’t matter whether the skills are listed in the job description. If you do not have the skill, simply don’t add it. You can only go for so long before your lies are discovered.
About The Author
Issa Asad
Issa Asad is a well-respected entrepreneur, best-selling author and marketing strategist from South Florida. With over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications, technology and marketing industries.
