In the next few weeks, Idea Works will be adding a new employee to the team. As applications have been rolling in, I’ve been amazed at some of the mistakes people make which instantly decrease their chances of landing an interview.

Unfortunately, these blunders distract me from absorbing the information that matters — qualifications, experience and passion for the position.

Next time you email your resume to a prospective employer, make sure to avoid these mistakes:

Don’t paste your resume into the email message

All email clients render text differently, so your resume probably doesn’t look as intended on the receiving end. Plus, this makes is difficult for the employer to organize, share or print your resume.

Don’t send me a doc or docx file – use PDF

While doc format is somewhat standard in the business world, don’t use it for resumes. Sending an editable Word document means that you can’t be certain the layout and style of your resume will look the same on the employer’s end. For instance, I’ve had people use a font in their resume I don’t have installed on my machine.

The result? Gibberish.

You don’t want gibberish in your resume. Presentation is everything with a resume, so ensure the fidelity of the file by saving it as a PDF. This embeds the fonts and layout so you can control exactly what your future boss will see.

Pay attention to the file name of your resume and cover letter

Fifty-percent of the resume files I receive are titled something like “Resume_New4.doc”. This is poor form. I don’t care that this is your “new” resume and that you’ve gone through three revisions before this one. When I download these resumes to my computer, I don’t know whose is whose.

Make sure I can find your resume quickly by including your full name and the word resume. Something like “Andrew Bird – Resume.PDF”.

Put some thought into your resume design

Some of the resumes I receive are so poorly formatted that I can’t even read them. These applicants are immediately disqualified.

Other resumes are readable, but just plain ugly. You have one chance to impress me — don’t use center-aligned Comic Sans font.

Generally I tell people to avoid resume templates (you can download these in Word format) since they lack originality. But if you’re not confident in your design prowess, it’s better to use a template than build an unattractive resume.

Don’t send your resume from an awkward email address

I’m talking to you, hottgurl2002@hotmail.com. This isn’t high school anymore. You should be using a professional sounding email address for professional correspondence.

(At Idea Works you get bonus points if you use Gmail)

Don’t be too casual

I like it when people allow their personality to shine, but there’s a limit. Show off your personality while retaining a respectful tone throughout all your communication.

Avoid slang words or abbreviations like ASAP, LOL and Thanx.

Go one step beyond the standard application process

Just because the job ad doesn’t mention a cover letter doesn’t mean you can’t send one. Provide more than the job ad requests and you’ll stand out from the crowd.

For example, have an old boss email a recommendation a few days after you apply. Or, give a quick call to the office just to see if they have any questions about your resume.

The extra effort shows me that you’re genuinely interested in the position and willing to work hard to get it.

Don’t tell me you’re just looking for anything, or looking to pad your resume

I’ve actually had people say they are looking for a job that looks good on their resume. This doesn’t impress me. Neither does admitting that you’re just looking for any ol’ job.

Employers are looking for applicants who are specifically qualified and interested in a particular position. In your email message or cover letter, tell me exactly why the job description appeals to you.

Ditch the boring objective statement

I know most places recommend including a Object or Purpose Statement on your resume, but I don’t see the point when most people write a generic purpose like: “To find a position that utilizes my strengths…”

I find myself skipping over these content-less Objective statements. If you have something unique to say, go ahead and put it in there. Otherwise leave it out.

Conclusion: Pay attention to details

Employers often sort through hundreds of applicants to find a handful worth interviewing. The content of your resume and cover letter are the meat-and-potatoes of your application, but the details matter, too.

Before sending anything off, stop and think about the impression your application will make on the employer:

• Is your resume nicely formatted, named and easily opened?
• Is your email message professional and individualized for the position?
• Have you given the employer a reason to pay special attention to your application?

It doesn’t take much time to think through the details of your application, and guarantee that your prospective employer sees your value, not your mistakes.