Ex-Google recruiter flags common resume mistake that hurts interview chances

Ex-Google recruiter flags common resume mistake that hurts interview chances

Farah Sharghi, a former recruiter for Google, TikTok, Uber, and The New York Times, has revealed a common mistake that can hurt job seekers' chances of landing interviews.

She calls it the "most common" and often "completely invisible" resume red flag.

The issue arises when candidates write their resumes as if they are addressing someone who already knows their story, rather than a stranger evaluating their application.

Sharghi's advice on resume writing

Sharghi emphasized the need for clarity and context in resumes, as recruiters only spend a few seconds scanning them.

She said on CNBC Make It, "The biggest resume mistake I see is writing for the one person who already knows your story: you."

This means candidates often use generic statements that lack context about their work experience, making it hard for external recruiters to understand their contributions.

Add context before bullet points

To fix this common mistake, Sharghi recommends adding a line of context before listing bullet points in a resume.

She advises job seekers to briefly explain what their organization does and their role within it.

This way, even someone unfamiliar with the company can understand the impact of their work.

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