.png?v=28f8c308c335fa7cc885f9b29ef914c8)
3 Reasons Why Your Resume Stands out For the Wrong Reason
When looking at a resume, a hiring manager decides whether they like your resume within six to eight seconds: you must make an impression almost immediately! The resume’s goal is to stand out and hopefully land an interview, but not to stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Today, we’ll spotlight three common mistakes our recruiters have seen when analyzing resumes: bad grammar, unexplained gaps in employment, and generic and/or overdone resume filler. But rest easy! if you take these suggestions and opportunities to heart, you’ll be that much closer to crafting a resume worth reading and nailing that interview for your dream job.
1. Bad Grammar Dilutes Your Achievements
Bad grammar is one of the biggest signs of unprofessionalism to an employer.
Before you send out your resume, call up a friend or two and have them look at it with you. After reading something so many times, we may not even notice an error that other people would see.
The bottom line is that having people to bounce ideas off of will give you a chance to test out what a recruiter would read, so actively seeking out and getting that feedback from people you trust is important. There are also plenty of browser plugins that check your grammar in real time! Don’t always rely on this, though, because as good as a computer is, it may not pick up on words with double meanings or the correct word that is just in the wrong spot.
Grammar is a fundamental indicator of attention-to-detail, and your resume language is the first indicator of your professionalism; you want people to see your achievements, not be hung up on your grammar goofs.
2. Unexplained Employment Gaps Can Make Recruiters Pass You Over
Gaps in employment don’t have to be a deal breaker if they are addressed professionally and purposefully. Some common employment gaps might be because of:
- Prolonged sickness.
- Adjusting to having a family.
- Balancing class schedules.
- Military deployment or volunteer work.
When addressing a gap, letting a hiring manager know that you started a family or recovered from a period of sickness is so much better than leaving it blank and leaving it up to the recruiter to try and connect the dots.
It's been said that all assumptions are negative assumptions, so don't leave this gap open to chance! Talk about it. Many recruiters will see the unexplained gaps and simply pass over them, rather than implore the candidate because they have to get through so many resumes, which has the added effect of placing your application in a slightly disadvantageous light,... only without you knowing about it.
Don’t be ashamed of your reason for having a career gap, and just make sure you can answer that question confidently and professionally. Being upfront and honest shows your values and integrity, which is something recruiters look for outside of relevant work experience.
3. Generic and Filler Resume Information Doesn’t Show Off Your True Skills
Lastly, when filling out your resume, you should craft something that is unique and not the generic response that is so common in many resumes.
The mistake many people make when trying to improve their resume is padding it with generic filler information. Just a quick pro tip here - doing this doesn’t make you seem special, it just comes across as repetitive and uninspired.
No recruiter will look at your resume and see words like “hard-working” and “people person” and drop everything they are doing to call you. As an employee, being hard-working and pleasant to be around is expected, along with many other baseline behavioral norms.
Instead of saying you’re hard working, list your achievements that prove that these accomplishments came to life and were a direct result of your roles and duties. Presenting hard data and metrics work well, especially if the position you're applying for has significant 'proof of life' criteria when it comes to either creative work, marketing and sales results, or numerical quotas and criteria that were measurable and time-bound.
Recruiters want tangible examples of your work ethic; anyone can just say that they work hard, and it won’t mean anything unless they can back it up. By explaining your achievements through factual examples of your work, you stand out for the right reason.
Standing Out Is All in the Specifics & Skills
Writing a resume is a skill, and you won’t ever get it right the first time. Resumes are living and breathing documents, not static pieces of paper.
By using professional and correct grammar, explaining your employment gaps readily and with confidence, and by trimming the filler and proving your worth by mastering metrics, you can have a resume that will help you stand out in the eyes of a recruiter. A good resume is key to landing an interview and getting noticed,... just make sure they notice you for the right reasons.
What Are The 5 Top Tips For A Resume?
It probably won’t come as a surprise that there are a lot of things you need to factor into creating your resume. There will always be new advice and new top tips, but here are some basic things you can always consider:
- Tailor your resume to each job you apply for: we know this can be time-consuming! But when competition is high, you won’t stand out with a generic resume.
- Quantify your achievements: If you work in marketing, for example, quantify how much impact you made in a campaign, rather than simply saying “increased social media following”, tell the recruiter by what percentage!
- Proofread, proofread, and then proofread again: As we said before, it can be easy to miss a grammatical mistake when you’re so used to reading over the text. Come back to it again to proofread before sending it off to a friend or relative.
- Use active language: Action verbs can help make your statements more impactful while also shortening your resume.
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly and easy to read: It’s worth doing some research on templates and the best way to format your resume for the industry you’re in. Our top tip is to try to keep it below two pages.
Interested in a Career in Travel And Hospitality With Westgate?
We’re always thrilled to meet inspired, hard-working, creative candidates who want to make a real impact in the hospitality landscape. Explore our open positions and discover the Westgate difference today!
Content You Might Like:
Tags
Career Opportunities at Westgate Resorts
With 22 full-service resorts in premiere destinations throughout the United States, we're bigger than an orange grove, but at our heart we're still a family business. Whether you're beginning your career, continuing your growth, or a student looking for real-world experience, we have opportunities for you.
Search and ApplySign up to our Careers Blogs!
Related Roles
Salary
Location
Orlando, FL
Type of Employment
Part-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
F&B/Retail
TeamClassification
Part Time
Category
Food & Beverage
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Orlando
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
Clear and set up restaurant tables, serve water to guests and complete side-work by performing the following duties.As a food runner, you will: Responsible for pre-bussing tables and cleaning tables w
Reference
a6422fb4-4603-406f-95c6-206af504e62b
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Mesa, AZ
Type of Employment
Full-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Full Time
Category
Resort Operations
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Mesa
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
There are no do-overs with vacations. As the Front Desk Agent, you will anticipate the needs of our guests and exceed their expectations at every opportunity. You understand that every check-in is the
Reference
867818a7-9fa5-4c06-b152-64f8b7476de8
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Branson, MO
Type of Employment
Part-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Part Time
Category
Resort Operations
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Branson
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
Join our team where you'll be responsible for curating engaging activities and ensuring guests have an unforgettable stay.To excel in this role, you must embody our core values of integrity, passion,
Reference
2743bb17-2ef7-459b-86fb-baf3b04d26c3
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Branson, MO
Type of Employment
Full-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Full Time
Category
Housekeeping
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Branson
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
As a Housekeeping Supervisor, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring our guests' satisfaction by maintaining impeccable standards throughout our establishment. As a Housekeeping Supervisor, you will
Reference
ffbe9d57-8c58-4da8-9bb3-216ef531addc
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Pahala, HI
Type of Employment
Part-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Part Time
Category
Housekeeping
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Pahala
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
Our Sea Mountain Resort is seeking a Laundry Attendant to join our amazing team on a part-time basis! As a key member of the Resorts Operations Team, the Laundry Attendant is responsible for efficient
Reference
10fd2fb5-3404-4f92-afb4-cd5516e8e0c0
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Gatlinburg, TN
Type of Employment
Full-time
Function
Administrative
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Full Time
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Gatlinburg
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
Responsibilities include assisting Central Warehouse Manager with sale of items, sale items inventory, collecting payments from sales, direct communication with public and employees, pull and distribu
Reference
e6c274a5-b569-42ab-9206-169785801ad7
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Branson, MO
Type of Employment
Full-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Full Time
Category
Resort Operations
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Branson
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
As a Front Desk Agent, you are an ambassador of hospitality, ensuring that every guest's journey begins and ends with a positive and memorable impression of our resort. Your dedication to excellent cu
Reference
851893a5-9232-4cd7-b793-45c98884d1e1
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
River Ranch, FL
Type of Employment
Full-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Full Time
Category
Resort Operations
Experience Level
Associate
Location
River Ranch
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
As a Resort Experience Supervisor, you will be responsible for communicating and working with Westgate vendors such as Resort Recreation and Tourism Management (RR & TM), Excursions, Scuba, Tennis, Ca
Reference
8022f318-7ef0-4ed3-8c98-89ecdb72be52
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Pahala, HI
Type of Employment
Part-time
Function
Customer Service
Division
Resort Ops
TeamClassification
Part Time
Category
Housekeeping
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Pahala
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
As a Housekeeper, you will clean and inspect rooms and halls in commercial establishments such as hotels and timeshare units and restaurants, by performing the following duties.Must consistently meet
Reference
078db254-d74b-42c3-a203-14244fcdc7b6
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensSalary
Location
Vancouver, WA
Type of Employment
Full-time
Function
Sales
Division
Sales & Marketing
TeamClassification
Full Time
Category
Sales & Marketing
Experience Level
Associate
Location
Vancouver
Workplace type
O - On Property or In Office
Description
As a Sales Representative you will be responsible for presenting our timeshare offerings to potential customers, guiding them through the buying process, and ultimately closing sales. Essential Du
Reference
cac601a8-9ddf-4686-87e5-75b43735d782
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Bailey StevensAuthor
Bailey StevensRelated Articles
.png)
Teaser
General Career InsightContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/18/25
Summary
We all work to live, but sometimes it feels as if we live to work, and for many, that can cause serious job burnout, regardless of one's work ethic or position. We’re here to discuss coping with
.png)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
06/05/25
Summary
Picture your dream vacation, and you might picture yourself relaxing in a beautiful hotel room in a scenic resort, but you might not think about what goes on in the behind-the-scenes operations t
.png)
Teaser
General Career InsightContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/23/25
Summary
No one’s position is guaranteed or secure per se, in terms of being entitled to it; you have to make a case for why you belong there in that role, at that job, and the case isn't a one-time prese
.png)
Teaser
Sales and MarketingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/19/25
Summary
Hotel jobs at Westgate offer an exciting opportunity to be part of a dedicated team When it comes to landing your dream job in sales, it's not just about selling yourself—it's about showcasing th
.png)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/18/25
Summary
Dive into Westgate’s Lifeguarding jobs for the summer, where you'll safeguard our guests and experience endless opportunities for personal growth and adventure! Whether you’re a seasoned professi
.png)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
05/16/25
Summary
What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Hospitality? It might surprise you, but the hospitality industry offers an array of career opportunities, ranging from entry-level positions to high-paying ex
.png)
Teaser
General Career InsightContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/08/25
Summary
Join a vibrant team that values creativity, collaboration, and career growth. If you’ve been wondering, “What is the quickest way to get hired?”, you aren't alone; every jobseeker's dream is to s
.png)
Teaser
General Career InsightContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/01/25
Summary
Hotel jobs at Westgate offer an exciting opportunity to be part of a dedicated team If you’re considering bringing your career to the hospitality sector, you’ll want to know all about the emergin
.png)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
04/24/25
Summary
Join a vibrant team that values creativity, collaboration, and career growth. We’ve all been there; we wait so long for that promotion, and we are absolutely crushed when it doesn’t happen. If yo
.png)
Content Type
BlogsPublish date
04/15/25
Summary
Join a vibrant team that values creativity, collaboration, and career growth. If you’re looking to get ahead in your career, getting a job promotion is a great way to do it. It’s natural to be t
Summer 2022 Recruitment is live
Work Abroad – In these roles, we will place you in any one of our 100+ fabulous holiday destinations for the season. We will arrange your flights, accommodation and the necessities to ensure you get settled into your new home quickly and can start enjoying your new job.
Read moreRecently Viewed Jobs