5 Resume Mistakes to Avoid 

The resume is the way of making your first impression on your potential employer. Resumes are essential when you want to get started with your career. This is especially true when you want to work in a corporate sector or at a start-up. So when you are writing your resume keep in mind to avoid these resume mistakes. 

#1 Using the same resume for all job roles

This is one of the most common mistakes made by PT new grads. You can not use the same resume to apply for clinical or non-clinical roles. 

The hiring manager for a clinical role will look for skills such as manual therapy and exercise science in an ideal candidate. They will value your experience working in Inpatient/ Outpatient units, OPD. This is not the case for your non-clinical roles. 

They will be primarily looking at other skills such as time management, attention to detail, ability to explain complex medical concepts in a simple language, etc. The required skills depend highly on the job role you are applying for. 

How to avoid this mistake: 

• Highlight transferable skills from your clinical work experience
• Read the job description and look for keywords. Sprinkle the same keywords in your resume. 
• Write a different resume every time you apply for a different job role 

#2 Forgetting to add contact information

The header of your resume should include your name and qualifications. Additionally, your contact information goes in there. So 2 must-haves in this area are your email address and cell phone number. 

This step is extremely important since if your resume gets picked up for an interview, the hiring team should have some way of reaching out to you. 

I made this mistake when I was just starting out. First of all, I had no idea about how to write a resume. So I copied the same format my friend used which she had copied from someone else. After sending it out a couple of times, I took another look at my resume. It was a moment of realization. How are they going to contact me if they do not have my contact information?

How to avoid this mistake

• Include your contact information in the header of the resume 
• Make sure your contact information is correct every time you apply 
• Download my Free Guide To Writing A Physiotherapy Resume for more guidance.

#3 Too much information on resumes, crammed up resumes!

The general rule of thumb is your resume should not be longer than a single page! The hiring team does not have the entire time in the world to read each word on your resume. Most of the time the 2nd page of the resume gets very little attention.

This especially becomes challenging when you work at multiple places and have varied experiences. Writing down the same description for each of the job roles just consumes more space without adding any value. 

You want your resume to be picked for an interview. But you also want to make sure the hiring team notices your experience and achievements by just taking a glance at your resume! If there is too much information on your resume, your achievements on your resume may not become easily noticeable. 

How to avoid this mistake:

• Try and fit all the information on one page
• Include only relevant courses, workshops, and certifications 
• Put additional information in your cover letter

# 4 Not attaching a cover letter 

As we just discussed you can not put all the information on your resume. The cover letter is the perfect place to add that information. The cover letter has a conversational tone and more of your personality shines through it. 

Attaching the cover letter to your resume shows your employer that you are serious about getting this job. When employers sense this dedication and seriousness from you, they are more likely to be interested in taking the conversations forward. 

A cover letter provides a better understanding of your suitability for the job role. Your cover letter is one of the means of making your first impression on your future employer. Be sure to make a good one!

How to avoid this mistake 

• You will find a dedicated blog post on the cover letter for Physiotherapists on my website. Check it out.
• Submit a cover letter every time you submit your resume.
• Just like a resume, write different cover letters for different job roles.

#5 Not proofreading your resume

Imagine being an employer and reading a resume full of grammatical and spelling errors, yikes! As I mentioned you are making your first impression with your resume and cover letter. You know how important first impressions are, right? 

Having too many errors shows that you don’t pay attention to detail. Your employer wants you to do your job accurately with fewer mistakes. They might end up thinking your resume is a reflection of how you work, which may not be the case.

That being said, we are all humans. If you find a grammar or spelling mistake on your resume, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember to be gentle to the most important person to you, yourself! Correct the mistake right away and proofread your resume again to see if there are any more mistakes that need to be corrected. 

How to avoid this mistake

• I understand that you may feel mentally tired after writing your resume for the first time (I know I did). So proofread your resume the next morning or sometime later when you are feeling fresh. 
• Proofread your resume every time you apply! (No matter if it is your 10th application) 
• Give your resume to 2-3 friends to read and spot errors. 

I am ready to launch my career, where can I find more help? 

Well, I am here to help you every step of the way. From making a resume, and cover letter to interview prep and salary negotiations. Sign up for my one-on-one consultations for more guidance!