A great resume is essential when finding a new career – and job seekers can make some easy, but fatal, errors.

“One mistake is all it takes to get you tossed,” said ACC Career Counselor Staci Kianpour.

Kianpour said the most common mistakes that job seekers make on resumes are the layout and the editing.

A successful resume should be aesthetically pleasing. It should be organized left to right and top to bottom so it is easy to read. All of the most important information about an applicant should be in the top fifth of the first page so that it’s readily available for employers.

Even simple mistakes like incorrect grammar can make potential employers disregard a resume, even if the candidate is qualified. If an applicant won’t take the time to proofread his or her resume, it’s not likely that they would perform well in a job.

Proofreading is essential. It is a good idea to have others check for grammar and spelling mistakes as well, since the writer is not always likely to catch his or her own mistakes.

Many people believe that a resume should only be one page. This is a common misconception.

“Sometimes people try to cram all of the information on one page and it ends up with tiny print,” Kianpour said. “A resume can be up to two pages.”

Resumes should be customized and tailored to the job that an applicant is considering. Job seekers should not submit the same resume to each employer. All of the information – previous employment, education and skills – should be relevant to the position. “A resume is a creative document,” Kianpour said.

An objective statement is not necessary. Instead, a summary of qualifications should be included in the top fifth of the page. The summary should include the most relevant information to the job position while still being aesthetically pleasing. Career counselors at ACC recommend using bullet points. Kianpour said the summary should include relevant skills, certifications and a short statement about the applicant’s character.

A resume also should have something to make it stand out. Sometimes work experience or education that is not pertinent to the position should be included, if it shows skills or character.

Certifications, degrees or transfers in progress also can be included when relevant.

Students may visit the Career and Transfer Center in the Advising Center on the second floor of ACC’s main building for additional help in creating resumes. Career counselors are available to help students and alumni with resumes, interview skills and assessments. To make an appointment, call 303-797-5805 or stop by the office.