How to create a great Resume is a topic that triggers lots of advice and even more questions. Should you include a salary range? How many pages should it be? How many previous jobs do you list? However, while all these factors are well known, there are many others that go under the radar. They might not come immediately to mind when you think of the word “Resume”, but they are just as important as the most popular ones. That’s why I put together the following list of three resume factors that often look in the background but should definitely be considered along with the big boys:

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This is one of those very tricky subjects that can make or break your resume: Should you include a salary range that you’re looking for on your resume? Some would argue that if the company isn’t interested in paying you what you want, then you’re better off not bothering with them. However, the other camp argues that you shouldn’t include it, and sell them on you first. The salary negotiations can come during later interviews. So where do I stand? Firmly in the second camp, except when explicitly stated by the job opening. My decision is based on the following reasoning:

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This is a new segment that I’ll be running from time to time which will highlight some the better posts stored in the Workplace Life archives.

Here are three posts that you should check out:

1. How To Fail Successfully - Failing successfully? As crazy as it sounds, there is a right way and a wrong way to fail.

2. Top 5 Resume Mistakes - The top five resume mistakes I’ve come across (and a bonus sixth one), a good read if you are currently polishing up your resume or writing one for the first time.

3. What You Really Say At Work - There are two languages spoken at work: What you actually say, and what you mean to say. Here are a few translations for your reading pleasure.

The resume: gateway to your future, toll booth on the road to success, and many more interesting metaphors. Whichever way you look at it, your resume is the key to landing a great job. However, even though this is a widely recognized fact, I still see resumes come across my desk with glaring errors and obvious problems. With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the biggest five resume mistakes that I see which are easily preventable.

Here’s the list I’ve put together (in no particular order):

Top Five Resume Mistakes

• Forget to include your contact information - This seems silly, but it happens more often than you might think, especially on resumes submitted through an internet form. ALWAYS double check to make sure you have all your appropriate contact information on your resume. This includes the following: Name, address, phone number (cell, home or both just make sure you can be reached at it), and email address (necessary in today’s workplace). Key points: Remember to always include this information, and to always make sure it’s up to date.


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