In today's competitive job market, your resume needs to be flawless to make it past initial screenings. Hiring managers often spend just seconds scanning each resume, and even small mistakes can get your application rejected immediately.

1. Spelling and Grammar Errors

Nothing screams 'unprofessional' louder than spelling mistakes or grammatical errors on your resume. These suggest carelessness and lack of attention to detail. Always use spell check, but don't rely on it completely - have at least two other people proofread your resume.

2. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

Email addresses like 'partyanimal123@email.com' or 'coolguy99@email.com' can make a terrible first impression. Create a simple email address with some variation of your name for professional correspondence.

3. Including Irrelevant Information

Your resume isn't your life story. Leave out personal details like marital status, religious affiliation, or hobbies unless they're directly relevant to the job. Similarly, don't include every job you've ever had - focus on the most recent and relevant experiences.

4. Being Too Vague

Phrases like 'responsible for various tasks' or 'helped with projects' don't tell employers anything meaningful. Be specific about your accomplishments and use numbers whenever possible ('Increased sales by 27% over six months').

5. Poor Formatting

A cluttered, hard-to-read resume often gets tossed immediately. Use consistent formatting, clear section headings, and plenty of white space. Avoid using more than two fonts and don't go overboard with colors or graphics unless you're in a creative field.

6. Listing Duties Instead of Achievements

Employers don't just want to know what you were supposed to do - they want to know what you actually accomplished. Instead of 'Responsible for managing social media accounts,' try 'Grew Instagram following from 500 to 5,000 in 6 months through targeted engagement strategies.'

7. Using an Objective Statement

Outdated objective statements ('Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills') waste valuable space. Replace it with a professional summary that highlights your most relevant qualifications and achievements.

8. Including References

Don't include 'References available upon request' or list your references on your resume. Employers know they can ask for references if they want them, and this just takes up space that could be used for more important information.

9. Going Over Two Pages

Unless you're a senior executive or academic, your resume should be one page. Two pages are acceptable if you have extensive, relevant experience, but never go longer than that. Be ruthless about cutting less important information.

10. Not Customizing for Each Job

Sending the same generic resume for every job application is a missed opportunity. Tailor your resume for each position by emphasizing the skills and experiences most relevant to that particular job.