As a recruiter specializing in logistics recruitment, a lot of resumes come across my desk.  Unfortunately, the majority of those resumes go into the recycling bin.  Why?  There are two main reasons we reject resumes at SCL Search:

1. The candidate doesn’t have the required experience (does not have a strong background in logistics), or
2. The resume is presented in a format or structure that makes it difficult to see a match.

If you have a strong background in supply chain, make sure you avoid these mistakes!  These are the most common blunders that can make a good candidate’s resume appear bad:

Photos

A photo is not required or advised to include on a resume in Canada. You don’t want to expose yourself to conscious or unconscious bias on the part of the hiring manager.

Birthdate

I frequently see resumes that include unnecessary personal details, including birthdate, marital status, religious affiliation and nationality. The only personal details that should be on your resume are your address, phone number and e-mail address.

Creative Format

Stick to a clean, easy-to-read format; avoid use of text boxes and fancy layouts. For more on this, click here: https://sclsearch.com/resume-format/. Recruiters look for candidates with the right experience for the job, not the candidate with the fanciest resume. This is especially true in the numbers-driven world of supply chain and logistics.

Functional Format

I receive a surprising number of resumes written in this style, and it only hurts your chances at getting the job. For more on this topic click here: https://sclsearch.com/functional-resume/

References

Please don’t put the names and contact information for your references on your resume, or you may burn through your references if recruiters call them prematurely. Your references should only be contacted when the time is right.  Including your references on the resume is considered unprofessional.

Lies

Be careful not to lie or misrepresent any aspect of your education or work experience. Even one fabrication can be grounds for termination. Stay honest in all of your job application materials.

Typos and Grammatical Errors

Be sure to proofread your resume, then have someone else proofread it for you. Spellcheckers are great, but they’re not completely foolproof.

 

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but I hope this will help you avoid some of the most common resume mistakes.

Looking for more resume writing or interview tips? Check SCLSearch.com for ideas, or take a look at our jobs page to see what opportunities we have available. Connect with us on LinkedIn. And let’s see if we can help you find that perfect opportunity in supply chain and logistics.