After reading thousands of resumes, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the little things that often lead to the biggest disasters. Things like little white lies, grammar and spelling mistakes, and submitting a resume that has nothing to do with the job just skims the tip of the iceberg. When I was an executive recruiter, I was often asked the question “why did you put X on his resume?” only to hear a muffled “I don’t know, I thought he was supposed to go there.”

I’d like to say this just once: yes, there is a science to resume writing. No, there is not just one way to do it. If you’re trying to get the attention of a business owner, hiring manager, or hiring manager, you want to make sure you cover the three most important points they’re looking for. If you don’t include these items, your chances of getting the job will be drastically reduced as other job applicants who follow these rules will be taken seriously.

Mistake #1: Not focusing on work or the company

If you’re like most people, you spend hours online searching the internet for jobs that seem even half decent or similar to your work experience. Find one that applies to you and submit your resume for review. As soon as you read the description, you only saw that the job was full-time, close to home, and offered benefits. Score! The only problem is that you were only thinking about what YOU wanted, not the company. In order for your resume to be viewed for more than 8 seconds (which is the average amount of time your resume is viewed before it is dismissed), you need to include the information the company is actually looking for. Look for keywords in the job posting that you can sprinkle throughout your resume. What problems are you looking for this person to solve? How can you show that you are the person who can solve those problems? Be clear about what you’ve done and what you want to do by writing a resume that applies specifically to that job.

Mistake #2: Indicate job descriptions, not achievements

Almost every resume I’ve seen in my career (and I’ve seen a lot), covers basic job responsibilities, but never actually states the contribution the person made. I really don’t want to know that you were responsible for managing accounts and handling customer concerns. I want to know that you met and exceeded your quota by 50% each quarter, while reducing customer complaints by 25%. I want to know how you made the company more money or saved you money. Tell me about the initiatives you started, the problems you solved, the new projects you managed. Be clear about what you have actually done, not just what you were hired to do. The people who can clearly communicate this information are the ones who will paint the clearest picture of their abilities and show the company that they are superior performers. Companies do not hire people to spend money, companies hire people so that they can advance, grow and evolve. They need people on their team who understand this concept, so show them by including information that reflects this on your resume.

Mistake #3: No personality

This point is probably the most controversial, especially for people who claim to have “non-creative” jobs like accounting, insurance, or law. All jobs and all industries are creative, it’s just a matter of understanding what creativity means in a given industry. Researching the field and knowing what is important to them is key. For example, if you want to work at an accounting firm, you probably don’t need to be very artistic. But, you need to be organized and thorough. How can you represent these skills on your resume? By making sure everything is laid out logically, simply, and with all the necessary pieces, you’re showing that skill without saying it. You may even want to create a resume that looks like an annual report (only much shorter). Add some personality to your resume by tailoring it to your audience and allowing them to talk about your unique skills and talents. This will help your resume stand out and be seen differently by people who are used to seeing the same old stuff.

As I said earlier, spelling and grammar are also key. If you’re not so trendy in this department, find some proofreaders to help you out. There may be a service at your local library, or a friend or family member could help you. Don’t let a few typos stand between you and your work. Lying is definitely a HUGE no-no, so don’t even go there. Be clear about the three main elements outlined above, and make sure you know what you’re asking for each time. Avoid job search burnout by approaching each job individually and striving to show why you are the best person, each and every time.