Common mistakes when preparing resumes

English translation of Guillaume Couture's article: Erreurs fréquentes dans la préparation d'un CV

We have all been told that companies and staffing firms receive many resumes a day, and thus we must differenciate ourselves and stand out from everybody.  Yes, this is true.  However, do not overdo it in fact, less is more.  Here is a list of mistakes job seekers often make that we recommand you to avoid:

• Use a readable file format!  Most word processors produce acceptable files and the acrobat format (pdf) can be read by many computers.  However, avoid incompatible or uncommon softwares.  Believe it or not, we have received resumes on Excel spreadsheets, in PowerPoint, Publisher or Photoshop format (!) the list goes on.  Keep in mind that the employer at the other end is not necessarily equiped with the same softwares as you.
• Password protected files: to avoid!  Employers are rarely interested in playing Sherlock Holmes in order to look at your cv...
• Files containing non-compressed pictures and images.
• Scanned documents attached to resumes: these files are very large and can be bounced or create problems your the employer's inbox.  Do not attach them unless they were explicitely requested.
• Files infected by a virus! Make sure you always have an updated anti-virus.  Sending a virus to a potential employer is not the best first impression.