Does your resume describe your best, most accomplished professional self? Does it do it at the speed of light? Recruiters will make a decision about your resume in six seconds, so it’s critical your resume is putting your best foot forward in a way that’s easy—and quick—to follow. And you can’t present the best version of yourself if you’re making these five common resume mistakes!

1. Listing items in a non-strategic order. In those six seconds recruiters spend reviewing your resume, the most crucial items should catch their quick-scanning eyes. So what information is most important to recruiters? In your job history, listing the job titles first allows recruiters to quickly gauge what work you’ve done and what progression you’ve made during your career. Follow the job title with your employer, the job location, and then the dates worked. And you’re listing all this in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first, right? When organizing your resume, always ask yourself what information is most important to the person reading it—and be sure not to bury it.
2. Regurgitating your job duties. Your resume is a sales pitch selling your unique qualifications. So if it says “duties included” or “responsible for,” you are not highlighting what sets you apart from the competition. Most people can guess what duties a Financial Analyst/Administrative Secretary/Public Relations Coordinator performs, and certainly the people in your job field will already know! Instead, try listing the recognition and achievements you earned in each position. Did you develop a more efficient filing system? Increase quarter earnings by 10 percent? Receive an award for outstanding customer service? Save an account on the brink of disaster? Think of how an employer benefitted from your service through saving time or money, solving a problem, improving operations or efficiency, attracting new business, and so on. You are what you’ve achieved, not what’s listed in your job description.
3. Recycling the same resume for each job application. You wouldn’t (or you absolutely shouldn’t!) send the same cover letter to each position you apply for, so why would you send the exact same resume? Show you’re serious by tailoring your resume to each position. Scour each job posting to extract the job title and key words that you can weave into a custom resume. If the posting asks for a candidate skilled in database management, make sure your resume includes the words database management (of course, if that’s true to your experience). When it comes to resumes, one size never fits all.
4. Dating yourself. Does your resume include your college or, we shudder to think, high school graduation date? How about that job you had 20 years ago slinging burgers? Old, irrelevant information doesn’t help your resume; it only makes you look older and opens you up to potential age discrimination. If you held jobs more than 10 or 15 years ago that are relevant to your current career path, you can exclude the dates and summarize the basic information in a section called “Previous Professional Experience.” That way, you’re still providing a comprehensive overview of your journey without dating yourself.
5. Including references. References and “references available upon request” do not belong on a resume! Why would you fill precious selling space with information that 1) recruiters won’t need unless you are selected to proceed in the hiring process, and 2) recruiters expect you to have if they do need it? Keep references handy on a separate sheet that you can provide during an interview or in a quick email.

With the proper presentation and attention, your resume can really shine! For even more resume tips, check out the YES! Your Human Resources Solution blogs, 5 Forgotten Gems for a Well-Rounded Resume and 5 Tips to Revamp Your Resume in 2015.