{"id":6287,"date":"2026-09-15T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/avoid-these-resume-mistakes-with-help-from-talk-about-it-tuesday-tait\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T20:30:00","slug":"avoid-these-resume-mistakes-with-help-from-talk-about-it-tuesday-tait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=6287","title":{"rendered":"Avoid these resume mistakes\u00a0with\u00a0help from Talk About It Tuesday (TAIT)\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

From application advice to insights into day-to-day work at\u00c2\u00a0the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Talk About It Tuesday (TAIT) is here to offer viewers learn more about VA and how to\u00c2\u00a0better\u00c2\u00a0navigate the federal hiring\u00c2\u00a0process.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hosted by VA National Recruiter Mike Owens, TAIT airs each week at noon ET\u00c2\u00a0on\u00c2\u00a0the VA\u00c2\u00a0LinkedIn page<\/a>, taking time to discuss VA job opportunities and\u00c2\u00a0providing\u00c2\u00a0career <\/a>advice to potential applicants.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

During a recent episode<\/a>, Mike broke down some of the most common resume mistakes he\u00e2\u0080\u0099s seen in his time as a recruiter, and shared how you can avoid making them yourself.<\/p>\n

Mistake #1 \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Errors, not edits<\/h2>\n

The most common mistake out there is errors \u00e2\u0080\u0094 those troublesome typos that pop up in your work from time to time.<\/p>\n

With 58% of resumes out there sporting at least one error, it\u00e2\u0080\u0099s understandable to come across a misspelling or an incorrect verb tense. However, when you start finding multiple errors in a resume, that\u00e2\u0080\u0099s a red flag for a lot of professionals in human resources (HR).<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cIf I get a resume and they have a bunch of errors and a bunch of typos, to me as a hiring manager or as an HR professional, it signals a lack of attention to detail and it undermines professionalism,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Mike explained.<\/p>\n

So, what can you do? If it helps, have a friend proofread the information for you. Also, don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t hesitate to read your resume out loud \u00e2\u0080\u0094 the ear will catch what the eye might miss. Finally, try reading your resume backwards, which will force you to focus on the individual words and keep your brain from filling in any gaps.<\/p>\n

Mistake #2 \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Broad, not bespoke<\/h2>\n

Next on Mike\u00e2\u0080\u0099s list was using a generic resume \u00e2\u0080\u0094 a no-no when you\u00e2\u0080\u0099re applying for any job, let alone a federal position like those here at VA.<\/p>\n

While it is helpful to have a master resume covering all your work experience, that document will do you no good if you use it to apply for every single job, because every hiring manager is going to want to know how well you fit their specific position. No position is generic, so no resume should be, either.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cYour resume has to match what the hiring managers looking for,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Mike stressed. \u00e2\u0080\u009cWe always talk about this. Yes, you must tailor your resume. It\u00e2\u0080\u0099s a must. There are over 200 people that are applying for these jobs and if you want to be the best of 200 people, you have to put in the work.\u00e2\u0080\u009d<\/p>\n

That means, for each job that you apply for, going into your resume and updating the summary and objective to match the job description. From there, adjust your resume to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job at hand.<\/p>\n

Mistake #3 \u00e2\u0080\u0093 Information, not impact<\/h2>\n

The third most common mistake Mike has seen is not establishing impact with regards to achievement \u00e2\u0080\u0094 how what you did in the job made a difference.<\/p>\n

As we all do with our resumes, we take the time to highlight the responsibilities that come with each role. However, a more impactful resume will showcase quantifiable achievements, and show the hiring manager how successful you have been in previous roles.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u0080\u009cJust saying, \u00e2\u0080\u0098I\u00e2\u0080\u0099m responsible for managing staff,\u00e2\u0080\u009d that\u00e2\u0080\u0099s just a bullet point,\u00e2\u0080\u009d Mike explained. \u00e2\u0080\u009cBut saying that you managed and trained how many staff members, and because of the way you did things, you were able to reduce turnover by 15%, that shows cause and effect.\u00e2\u0080\u009d<\/p>\n

So, as you\u00e2\u0080\u0099re tailoring your resume, showcase what you did but also how it impacted the company. Focus on your positives, using specific numbers if you have them and quantifiable goals. Remember that you\u00e2\u0080\u0099re putting your best foot forward, so don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t be humble about your accomplishments.<\/p>\n

See for yourself<\/h2>\n

Join us each week for a new episode of Talk About It Tuesday, where you can learn more helpful application tips, and find out what it\u00e2\u0080\u0099s like to work at VA from our fellow VA employees. Learn more at VA Careers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Topics in this story<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Talk About It Tuesday<\/a>VA Careers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

<\/i>Leave a comment<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA<\/a> or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN<\/abbr>, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form \u00e2\u0080\u0094 it will be deleted for your protection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

Leave A Comment Cancel reply<\/a><\/small><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n