Common Resume Mistakes That Cost You Interviews
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are the gatekeepers to your dream job. These automated systems scan and filter resumes before they ever reach human eyes. Make these common resume mistakes, and your resume ends up in the digital trash—no matter how qualified you are. Check your resume score in 30 seconds—no signup required.
Resume Mistakes That Get You Auto-Rejected
That beautiful two-column layout with headers and footers? Most ATS software can't read it properly. When the system struggles to parse your information, it often rejects the resume entirely.
The Fix: Use a clean, single-column format with standard section headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills." Learn more about choosing the right resume format.
ATS systems are programmed to look for specific keywords from the job description. If your resume doesn't include enough relevant terms, it won't make the cut. According to Jobscan research, 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS systems.
The Fix: Carefully analyze the job description and mirror the language. Include both the full term and abbreviations (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization" and "SEO"). Our guide on how to identify and use hidden resume keywords shows you exactly how.
While logos, charts, and infographics might look impressive to humans, ATS systems see them as unreadable content. This includes placing contact information in a header graphic.
The Fix: Keep your resume text-based. Save the creative designs for portfolios or personal websites. Focus on quantifying your achievements with numbers instead of graphics.
Not all file types are created equal in the eyes of an ATS. While PDFs preserve formatting, some older systems struggle to read them accurately.
The Fix: When in doubt, use .docx format. It has the best compatibility across all ATS platforms. Test your resume's compatibility with our free ATS checker.
Some applicants try to "game" the system by adding invisible keywords. Modern ATS systems detect this tactic and automatically reject resumes that use it. SHRM reports that 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching human recruiters.
The Fix: Naturally incorporate relevant keywords throughout your resume content. Quality content always beats manipulation. Balance your soft skills with technical expertise.
Additional Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
Large gaps in your work history raise red flags for recruiters. Whether you took time off for family, health, or education, acknowledge it briefly and positively.
The Fix: Use a strong resume summary to address gaps upfront and refocus attention on your qualifications.
Vague descriptions like "Responsible for managing projects" tell recruiters nothing about your actual impact or accomplishments.
The Fix: Quantify every achievement with specific numbers, percentages, or outcomes. Example: "Led 5-person project team, delivering product launch 2 weeks ahead of schedule and 15% under budget."
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with documented skills earn 84% more than those without clear skill documentation.
The Fix: Create a dedicated skills section highlighting both technical abilities and key soft skills. Include industry-specific certifications and tools you've mastered.
How to Check Your Resume for These Mistakes
Our AI-powered resume evaluator analyzes your document for all of these common mistakes and gives you a detailed score within seconds. Unlike other tools, we don't require signup, email, or credit card—just instant, actionable feedback.