Be aware of these common resume mistakes so you can avoid them

Your resume serves as your first impression on a hiring manager. Simple mistakes, like spelling errors or incorrect contact information, can cause an employer to discard your resume. Other mistakes, like using outdated formatting or listing irrelevant experience, can also raise red flags. By knowing about these common resume mistakes, you can avoid them when it’s time to update yours.

In this article, we’ll go over some resume mistakes you might be making, along with:

• Common errors to check for on your resume

• The proper resume formatting to use

• How to best describe your experience

1. Spelling and grammar errors

Never submit a resume without proofreading it for grammar and spelling. These errors reflect poorly on your professionalism. If you struggle with proper grammar, ask a detail-oriented friend or family member to review your resume. You can also use online tools to check for potential mistakes.

2. Incorrect contact information

Listing incorrect or outdated contact information is another red flag to employers. Plus, a recruiter can’t reach you if you provide the wrong information. Double-check your contact information every time you submit your resume. Also, don’t forget to clear your voicemail inbox, so a hiring manager can leave you a message.

3. Inconsistent details

In addition to providing correct information, make sure it’s consistent across all your application documents and profiles. For example, if you go by Dan on LinkedIn but your resume says Daniel, an employer may get confused. Your resume header should match your cover letter, your online portfolio, and your professional pages.

4. Outdated formatting

Using an outdated format is one of the biggest resume mistakes to avoid. Hiring managers prefer to see modern resumes with clear sections, bolded headers, bullet points, and white space. A modern resume format makes it easier for employers to learn about your qualifications.

If you need some help with updating your resume, use Career.io’s Resume Builder to make a professional, modern resume in just a few minutes.

5. More duties than achievements

Your resume should reflect both the duties and key achievements you’ve had in other roles. If you focus only on your responsibilities, your resume may not stand out among all the other applications a hiring manager receives.

Consider the following examples:

Duties

• Greeted customers in a friendly manner

• Scheduled appointments over the phone and online

Achievements

• Maintained a positive atmosphere in the waiting room by personally greeting visitors, increasing customer retention by 15 percent per quarter

• Optimized the customer experience by communicating effectively while scheduling appointments on the phone and online

When you frame your duties as achievements, you highlight how you made a positive impact in your role.

6. Missing keywords

Many companies use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to scan resumes for specific keywords. Based on those keywords, the software determines the best matches for the role. If you don’t include resume keywords, it may be rejected before a hiring manager even gets the chance to look at it.

You can find keywords in the job description. For every new job you apply for, edit your resume to include similar words and phrases. Include keywords related to job tasks, qualifications, and skills.

7. Underselling yourself

Your resume is not the place to be modest about your experiences and achievements. Portray confidence in your skills and abilities to convince an employer you’re the best candidate for the job. Use strong verbs, include quantifiable metrics, and provide results-focused outcomes to promote yourself effectively.

Here’s an example:

• Directed a cross-functional team to update an e-commerce platform, resulting in a 14% increase in online sales over six months

8. Exaggerating your qualifications

While it’s important to promote yourself, don’t go too far in the other direction by exaggerating your qualifications. Keep your resume honest by describing the skills, experience, and training you actually have. If an employer catches you in a lie, it will reflect poorly on your character.

9. Lack of focus

If you’re applying for multiple jobs, don’t use a one-size-fits-all resume. Keep your resume focused on your expertise in a specific role or industry, even if you have varied experience. It’s recommended to have a different resume for every industry you want to pursue.

For example, if you’re applying for sales jobs in retail stores and call centers, create two versions of your resume. One can focus on how you create positive store experiences and build relationships through face-to-face interactions. The other can highlight your ability to close sales over the phone.

10. Outdated experience

Your resume should only go back 10 to 15 years. Including older jobs may result in age-related bias. If you want to include relevant experience older than 15 years, create a section called “Additional Experience” and list it there without providing your employment dates.

11. Improper length

The ideal resume length is one page. If it’s shorter than that, a recruiter may question whether you have enough experience for the job. If it’s longer than one page, an employer may not read it all and miss key details about your experience.

You can add to your resume by including sections for internships, volunteer work, certifications or training, and other relevant qualifications. If you need to shorten your resume, focus on highlighting your relevant experience while minimizing other sections, like your education.

12. Unprofessional email address

Many recruiters prefer to communicate via email, so make sure you have a professional address. An email like “[email protected]” can leave a bad impression on an employer. If you don’t have a professional email address, make one using a combination of your name or initials.

Here are some examples:

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

• [email protected]

13. No objective or summary

At the top of your resume, an objective or summary statement can grab a hiring manager’s attention with details about your unique skills and achievements. If you don’t have one, you’re missing an opportunity to promote yourself as soon as an employer picks up your resume.

In most cases, you should use a summary statement, which focuses on your best qualifications for the role. However, if you’re new to the workforce, you can use an objective to explain why you’re applying for the job and how you can use your transferable skills to be successful.

14. Personal information

Your resume should focus on your professional experience and skills. Don’t include personal information, such as your age or marital status. For most jobs, you don’t need to include a photo on your resume either. Providing this information may lead to bias in the hiring process.

15. Unexplained employment gaps

Most employers understand that many people have employment gaps. However, having several unexplained gaps on your resume can be a potential concern. It’s a good idea to include those gaps on your resume and explain what you did during that time.

For example, if you left the workforce for five years to care for a family member, here’s how you could address the gap:

Family Caregiver July 2019–August 2024

• Provided in-home care to an elderly family member, managing all their daily living needs

• Scheduled appointments and communicated with medical professionals about correct medications and therapies

• Managed the household, including paying bills, setting budgets, and handling insurance claims with attention to detail

16. Irrelevant experience

You don’t need to list every job you’ve ever had on your resume. Focus instead on your relevant experience for the role. For example, if you worked as a lifeguard 10 years ago but you’ve been in marketing for the past eight years, only include your marketing experience on your resume.

17. Blocks of text

Your resume should be concise and easy to read, so a recruiter can quickly scan the document. Avoid using large blocks of text to describe your experience. Bullet points can be an effective formatting choice to draw attention to your core duties or achievements in other roles.

18. Overlooking requirements

Always review the job description to make sure your resume meets the employer’s requirements. For example, if the employer asks you to submit your resume as a PDF, use this format for submission. Overlooking those requirements can make an employer question your seriousness about the role.Need a well-written cover letter to go with your resume? Check out Career.io’s Cover Letter Builder to create a matching cover letter in no time!

Key takeaways

1. Your resume is how you make your first impression in the workplace. Make it a good one!

2. Modify your resume so you can avoid common mistakes that might hold you back professionally. 

3. Use a modern format and follow current resume trends to get employers to notice you.