10 Resume Mistakes That Cost Malaysian Job Seekers Interviews

You've spent hours crafting your resume, but one simple mistake could cost you the interview. In Malaysia's competitive job market, hiring managers receive hundreds of applications for each position. A single error can be the difference between getting called for an interview or being overlooked.

1. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

Your email address is often the first thing recruiters see. An unprofessional email can immediately create a negative impression.

2. Including Irrelevant Personal Information

Many Malaysian job seekers still include outdated personal information that's no longer necessary or even discouraged by modern hiring practices.

What NOT to include:

• IC number (MyKad number)
• Marital status
• Race or religion
• Age or date of birth (unless specifically required)
• Photo (unless applying for modeling, acting, or roles where appearance matters)
• Height and weight
• Spouse or children information

3. Writing a Generic Objective Statement

Generic objective statements are one of the biggest resume killers. They take up valuable space and tell the employer nothing about your value.

4. Listing Job Duties Instead of Achievements

One of the most common mistakes is simply listing what you were responsible forinstead of what you accomplished.

5. Poor Formatting and Design

Your resume's visual presentation matters. Poor formatting can make even the strongest qualifications look unprofessional.

Common formatting mistakes:

• Using multiple font styles (stick to 1-2 professional fonts)
• Inconsistent spacing and alignment
• Walls of text without bullet points
• Too many colors or decorative elements
• Using tables or text boxes (breaks ATS systems)
• Font size too small (below 10pt) or too large (above 12pt)

6. Spelling and Grammar Errors

Nothing screams "unprofessional" louder than typos and grammar mistakes. These errors suggest carelessness and poor attention to detail.

Common errors to watch for:

• Mixing British and American English (stick to one: "organisation" OR "organization")
• Inconsistent tense (past jobs = past tense, current job = present tense)
• Your vs. You're, Their vs. There vs. They're
• Missing periods or inconsistent punctuation
• Capitalization errors in job titles and company names

7. Making It Too Long (or Too Short)

The ideal resume length depends on your experience level:

• Fresh Graduates & 0-3 years experience: 1 page maximum
• 3-10 years experience: 1-2 pages
• 10+ years or senior positions: 2 pages (3 pages only for very senior roles)

8. Not Tailoring Resume to Each Job

Sending the same generic resume to every company is a massive mistake. Employers can tell when you've mass-applied without reading the job description.

How to tailor your resume:

1. 1Read the job description carefully and highlight key requirements
2. 2Mirror the keywords and skills mentioned in the job posting
3. 3Reorder your skills section to put the most relevant skills first
4. 4Emphasize experiences that directly relate to the role
5. 5Adjust your summary/objective to match the company's needs

9. Including Outdated or Irrelevant Skills

Technology and industry standards evolve quickly. Including outdated skills can make you seem out of touch.

Skills to remove or update:

• Microsoft Word/Excel (unless applying for admin roles - these are assumed basic skills)
• Obsolete technologies (Flash, Internet Explorer, Windows XP)
• Social media platforms as a skill (unless applying for marketing/social media roles)
• High school achievements (if you have a degree)
• Unrelated hobbies ("reading," "movies," "traveling" - unless directly relevant)

10. Weak or Missing Contact Information

You'd be surprised how many people make mistakes with their contact information, making it impossible for employers to reach them.

Contact information checklist:

• ✅ Full name (as it appears on official documents)
• ✅ Phone number with correct format (+60 12-345 6789)
• ✅ Professional email address
• ✅ LinkedIn profile URL (if active and professional)
• ✅ City and state (detailed address not necessary)
• ❌ Don't include: Full home address, multiple phone numbers, personal social media

Now that you know the common mistakes, here's your action plan:

1. 1Use a professional template: Start with an ATS-friendly template designed for Malaysian job market
2. 2Proofread multiple times: Review your resume at least 3 times, and ask someone else to check it
3. 3Focus on achievements: Convert every job duty into a measurable achievement
4. 4Customize for each application: Spend 10-15 minutes tailoring your resume for each job
5. 5Test for ATS compatibility: Use online ATS checkers or copy your resume into Notepad - if formatting breaks, it won't pass ATS
6. 6Keep it updated: Add new skills and achievements as you gain them

Before sending your resume, check these items:

• ☑️ Professional email address
• ☑️ No personal information (IC, race, religion, marital status)
• ☑️ Specific, tailored objective or summary
• ☑️ Achievement-focused bullet points with numbers
• ☑️ Clean, simple formatting (no tables, text boxes, or complex graphics)
• ☑️ Zero spelling or grammar errors
• ☑️ Appropriate length (1 page for fresh graduates)
• ☑️ Tailored keywords from job description
• ☑️ Current, relevant skills only
• ☑️ Complete and correct contact information
• ☑️ Saved as PDF with proper filename (FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf)

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Stop making resume mistakes that cost you interviews. Start building your professional, error-free resume today!