Writing your own resume is a pretty tricky task when you’re on the hunt for a new position. It’s not easy to write a document that explains your background, experiences and is supposed to fit on 1-2 pages ! After all, this is the piece of information that’s supposed to catch a hiring manager’s eye and get you an interview, you want it to be the best it can possibly be, right? While there’s no secret formula to the perfect resume, there are a few common mistakes that keep making their way onto resumes.

1. Being too specific OR leaving out important details

This is tricky. Resumes are concise documents but leaving out important information can impact a hiring manager’s opinion and being long-windes can lose their attention. When crafting your resume, think about what matters in each of your positions. What have you accomplished that a hiring manager would care about? Cut out the extra fluff words and focus on the valuable details.

2. Highlighting every responsibility

Bottom line, a hiring manager will not want to know every single thing you do in your position. Consider the role you’re interest in and match those responsibilities with your previous accomplishments. You want a hiring manager to see similarities between their opening and your experience.

3. Not showing your accomplishments

Going along with #2, don’t just list what you do, showcase how you’ve made an impact in your positions. Did you manage a team? Or did you manage a team that increased sales by X amount? Don’t be modest when it comes to the results you’ve created in your career.

4. A messy resume

One of the most common mistakes is having a disorganized and crammed resume. There are great free resume template resources if you’re not great at formatting resumes. Look at your resume objectively; it should have a clean and clear design, be easy to read and have some white space. According to studies, you have about 6 seconds to make an impression on a hiring manager. If they can’t read your resume, they won’t consider you!

5. Leaving out keywords

Recruiters and hiring managers often have systems in place throughout the screening process where they will look for certain keywords like specific software or technology experience and if they don’t see it, buh-bye! Treat your resume as an SEO challenge. Think of common and relevant keywords that match up the position description you’re applying to.

Avoid these 5 and you’re on your way to resume success!