Top Resume Killers

2/24/2015 by julie

Job Specialization:  Taking on job titles and responsibilities that are industry specific and not transferable to other companies.

Staying With A Company Too Long:  Remaining with an employer for an extended period of time may suggest that you fear change and prefer a familiar environment.  The exception is receiving numerous promotions during that tenure.

Lack Of Career Progression:  Remaining at a specific career level for a protracted period is a definite career killer.  It suggests a failure to perform and earn a promotion.

Job Hopping:  Job hopping is probably the number 1 career killer.  As a general rule, you should average 3 to 5 years at each position.  If you are a victim of layoffs after a short tenure, a prospective employer will look at your entire work history and usually ignore a single exception.

Jack Of All Trades, Master of None:  A work history that includes experience in multiple disciplines (sales, purchasing, logistics, IT, marketing and customer service) can indicate a person without career direction and depth of expertise. 

Staying In One Industry Too Long:  This can be problematic, especially if your industry is facing a rapid decline and your skills are not transferable.