Resume Writing • 5 min read

Top Resume Mistakes That Cost You Interviews

Resumes are your first and sometimes only chance to make a strong impression. Small mistakes—unclear language, broken formatting, or an ATS-unfriendly structure—can quietly eliminate otherwise qualified candidates before a human ever reads the file. Below are the most common resume pitfalls, real-world examples of each, and practical fixes—especially focused on making your resume ATS-friendly while remaining compelling to hiring managers.

1. Using vague, duty-focused language

Mistake: Describing responsibilities rather than impact. Example: “Responsible for customer support.” That tells the reader little about scale or results.

Fix: Use results-oriented statements: “Resolved 50+ customer tickets weekly, increasing first-response satisfaction by 18%.” Metrics make achievements searchable and persuasive for both ATS and humans.

2. Lack of measurable achievements

Mistake: Listing tasks without outcomes. Example: “Worked on marketing campaigns.”

Fix: Add numbers and outcomes: “Managed two email campaigns that produced a 12% CTR and $38K in attributed revenue.” Quantifiable results improve credibility and keyword relevance.

3. Formatting that breaks ATS parsing

Mistake: Using multi-column layouts, images for contact details, or text in headers/footers. Example: A candidate used a two-column brochure-style resume with a photo and contact info inside an image; ATS systems often skip that text entirely.

Fix: Use a simple single-column layout with standard headings (Experience, Education, Skills). Place contact details in plain text at the top and avoid images, tables, and complex alignment that can scramble parsing.

4. Missing role-specific keywords

Mistake: Using synonyms that don’t match the job posting. Example: Writing “data science” when the posting asks for “machine learning” or “ML” and lists specific tools like “scikit-learn.”

Fix: Mirror language from the job description where it legitimately applies. Include both acronyms and full forms (e.g., “ML (machine learning)”) and list relevant tools and frameworks to improve ATS matching.

5. Contact information hidden in images or missing

Mistake: Contact info placed in a graphic or omitted. Example: A candidate supplied phone and email inside a header image—ATS and some recruiters missed it.

Fix: Include email, phone, and LinkedIn in plain text at the top of the resume. Ensure the email address is professional (first.last@domain.com).

6. Typos, grammar errors, and inconsistent tense

Mistake: Sloppy writing undermines credibility. Example: “Manage team of 3, improvved onboarding process.”

Fix: Proofread carefully, use spell-check, and have a trusted peer review the resume. Use consistent tense—past tense for previous roles, present tense for your current role.

7. Overly decorative design and non-standard fonts

Mistake: Using fancy fonts, emojis, or icons that ATS strips or reorders. Example: A creative resume used icons for section headings, leading some ATS to misread section boundaries.

Fix: Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri) and plain bullets. If you want a visually rich version for human readers, keep a text-only ATS-safe copy for applications.

8. Inconsistent or missing dates and job titles

Mistake: Ambiguous timelines or vague titles. Example: Listing two roles with “2019” only, making it unclear whether they overlapped.

Fix: Use clear month/year ranges (e.g., “Jun 2019 – Aug 2021”) and provide exact job titles. If your role title differs from the industry norm, include a parenthetical standard equivalent (e.g., “People Operations Manager (HR Manager)”).

9. Not tailoring the resume to the role

Mistake: Sending the same resume to every job. Example: Applying to a product management role with a resume focused entirely on sales KPIs.

Fix: Maintain a master resume and tailor the summary, bullet order, and keywords for each application to emphasize the most relevant experience first.

10. Including irrelevant or outdated information

Mistake: Listing unrelated early-career jobs or hobbies for senior roles. Example: A senior engineer listing high-school positions and non-relevant clubs across multiple pages.

Fix: Remove or condense anything older than 10–12 years unless directly relevant. Focus on recent roles and experiences that demonstrate capability for the target position.

11. Overly long or overly short resumes

Mistake: Extremely long multi-page resumes or one-line summaries that lack substance. Example: A mid-career professional submitted a six-page CV with exhaustive project notes.

Fix: Aim for 1–2 pages depending on experience. Prioritize depth for recent, relevant roles and summarize older positions.

ATS-Focused Checklist

• Use standard headings: Experience, Education, Skills.
• Prefer single-column layouts; avoid images, tables, and text in headers/footers.
• Include role-specific keywords naturally; include both full terms and acronyms.
• Provide contact details in plain text at the top.
• Save an ATS-friendly DOCX or plain PDF if the posting accepts it; test with an ATS preview tool when possible.

Conclusion

Small, targeted improvements to language, structure, and formatting significantly increase the likelihood your resume reaches a recruiter’s desk. Focus on measurable outcomes, clear and consistent formatting, and intentional keyword usage to pass ATS filters and win attention from hiring teams. Before submitting, run an ATS preview, proofread carefully, and tailor your resume to the role—these steps consistently yield more interview invitations.