Your resume is the first impression you make on an employer. This is true for any job, including the marine industry. Before you apply for your next opportunity, make sure that your resume is in tip-top shape and will attract employers rather than repel them. There are three basic mistakes that can cause a hiring manager to toss your resume before they even give it a chance. Here are the things you should avoid.
1. Sloppy resumes
There is really nothing that will turn a hiring manager off faster than a sloppy resume. This applies to the writing itself, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation, but also to the overall format. And, there are more than a few recruiters who have seen stained or crumpled resumes come across their desks. Your resume is your calling card and it needs to make the reader interested in contacting you to discuss your background and potential for their open position. Review it to ensure that there are no mistakes. Use a format that is easy to read, such as one that includes bullet points for the most important information.
2. Hiding information
Another challenge recruiters and hiring managers see in resumes is the blatant obscuring of important information. They have been trained to read resumes and can review hundreds in any given week, so it is a noticeable red flag when someone deliberately tries to hide details like a long period without work or a situation where they were fired for cause. That said, there are some things you don’t need to write explicitly on a resume, but don’t try to hide things that will cast you in a negative light.
3. No confidence
Another breaking point for resume reviewers is a lack of confidence in your skills. Gone are the days when all you need to list are your daily duties. Today’s recruiters want to see candidates who can sell their skills and abilities. Showcase your accomplishments and the ways you excelled in previous jobs. Highlight your strengths to demonstrate what someone would want to consider you for their open position. Use words and sentences designed to make recruiters want to learn more about you.
Work with a Leader in Shipyard and Marine Staffing
Do you need help crafting a killer marine career resume? The recruiters at Hutco specialize in shipyard and marine staffing, so call us today.
