Come to think of it, when applying for a job, everything pretty much boils down to one sheet of paper: your resume. Before you get an interview or get to prepare how to dress up for one, you have to submit a resume that’ll catch a prospective employer’s attention. Just make sure that what catches his or her attention is how impressive your resume is, and not these mistakes, which you must avoid at all cost, that guarantee your resume a trip to the trash bin:

1. Generic-sounding objectives

If you say vague things like “I want to work in a job where my skills can be put to good use” in your resume, you might as well add “I also want world peace” at the end. Avoid sweeping and generic objectives, and state your goal or the position you want or what you intend to do with it clearly.

2. Errors in spelling and grammar

These spell either L-A-Z-Y or worse, I-N-C-O-M-P-E-T-E-N-T. Always double-check your work for these. If you’re one of those who find it difficult to edit or proofread your own work, get someone else to clean up your resume for you.

3. Physical characteristics

In today’s world of P.C., employers are supposed to avoid hiring or not hiring people because of their height, weight, skin color, hair color or any other physical characteristics. That is why indicating in your resume that you’re two inches short of six feet or weigh a trim 170 pounds isn’t gonna matter one whit.

4. Listing your hobbies

Stating in your resume that you’re into rock climbing, BASE jumping or sky diving when the job you’re applying for confines you to an office is pointless. Unless of course, you’re applying for a job with Richard Branson.

5. Listing in detail all tasks in all your past jobs

One word: BORING.

6. Tooting your own horn a little too much

See number 5.

7. Outdated information

Does anyone even care where you finished high school? Certainly not most recruitment managers.

8. False info

Always remember that prospective employers can always check whether you’ve really graduated from this university or you’ve worked for this company, so you’re not doing yourself a favor if you lie in your resume.

9. Neglecting the extras

While primary education and job experiences are of the utmost importance in a resume, it would also be a nice touch to indicate any extra education, trainings, workshops, and accolades you’ve gotten related to your particular field.

10. Unprofessional presentation

Your application will certainly not be taken seriously when your resume is printed on pink or blue paper and in fancy, cutesy fonts. It wouldn’t hurt to drop the cuteness or the “artistry” and have your resume printed in blank ink on white bond paper, in easy-to-read font like Times New Roman.

11. No Contact Info

Believe it or not, there are people who tend to forget putting their contact information in their resumes. How they expected to be reached by an interested prospective employer is a big mystery. Always remember to indicate your full name, mailing address, telephone number, cell phone number and e-mail address in your resume.

Job interviews, after all, are basically about first impressions, and the way a person looks becomes the first in a long list of first impressions as soon as the applicant walks through the interviewer’s door. And while some companies tend to be a little more liberal when it comes to appearances, most still prefer that applicants look their best when they come in for an interview. So here are seven basic dress-up tips that you could use during job interviews. Hopefully, these could help you out.

1. Wear a suit

There are many styles of suits out there, but your best bet is a conservative cut, dark blue, black or grey suit. Pinstripes, prints, or loud colored suits are a no-no.

2. Groom your hair

What constitutes a great haircut or hairstyle for job interviews is subject to debate, so just keep your hair clean and neat for the interview. That ought to do the trick.

3. Wear Minimal Jewelry

Unless you want to look like a pimp, don’t overdo the jewelry. A conservative watch and a wedding, engagement or college ring will do.

4. Go easy on the aftershave or cologne

Not all people like the scent of your cologne or aftershave. The interviewer could be one of them, so if possible, avoid wearing any scents to a job interview. Just shower well, and make sure your clothes smell fresh and clean.

5. Clean/trim fingernails

This may sound like grade school-level advice, but it’s a fact that many applicants tend to overlook this part of the body, and it’s quite noticeable when they get long and dirty.

6. Keep your breath fresh

You’d be surprised how far the smell of one’s breath can travel. Considering that you’d usually be no more than three feet away from the interviewer, you would do well to brush your teeth, floss and gargle with mouthwash before going to an interview. Better yet, chew a gum or suck on a breath mint 10 to 15 minutes before your appointment. Just don’t forget to dispose of the gum or the mint before you check in.