Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Crafting a strong resume is an essential step in landing your dream job. But even the most qualified candidates can be overlooked due to avoidable resume mistakes. Some hiring managers read up to 500 CVs a day, which means sometimes you have less than 0.2% chance to get a job after applying.

Today I'll teach you how to improve your chances. Here’s a quick rundown of common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them, ensuring your resume stands out for the right reasons.

Keep in mind, when someone's reading tens of CVs a day, they want them to be easy to read and understand.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

Mistakes in spelling or grammar give an impression of carelessness. Always double-check your resume and, if possible, have someone else proofread it. Tools like Grammarly, Qillbot or any LLMs can also help catch errors.

2. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

An email like [email protected] may have been fun in college, but it’s not appropriate for professional communication. Stick to a simple format like [email protected].

3. Failing to Tailor Your Resume

Employers want to see how your skills align with their specific needs. Avoid submitting generic resumes. Analyze the job description and customize your resume to highlight relevant experiences and achievements.

4. Including Irrelevant Information

While your high school achievements were once impressive, they likely have little relevance to a professional role if you’ve already graduated college. Focus on the most recent and relevant experiences.

5. Overloading with Buzzwords

It’s tempting to use terms like “hardworking” and “team player,” but they are often seen as fluff. Instead, showcase these traits through concrete examples and achievements.

6. Poor Formatting and Design

A cluttered or overly artistic resume can distract from the content. Stick to clean, easy-to-read fonts and ensure consistency in spacing and alignment. Either a simple black and white CV with Calibri or Arial fonts. Or templates from platforms like Canva or Microsoft Word can be helpful as well.

7. Overlooking Keywords

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes. If yours lacks the keywords from the job description, it may not make it to the hiring manager’s desk. Incorporate these terms naturally within your resume. Also, with the newly adopted AI screening systems, your profile needs to be perfect, otherwise, a lot of the tools will reject CVs for extremely random reasons.

8. Omitting Metrics and Results

Simply listing job duties won’t cut it anymore. Employers want to see measurable achievements. For instance, instead of saying, “Managed social media accounts,” you could write, “Increased Instagram engagement by 35% in six months.” Until a mass adoption of this aspect, you'll usually get in the top 10% applicants.

9. Listing Too Many Jobs

If you’ve had several short-term positions, consider summarizing them to avoid giving the impression of job-hopping. Highlight the roles most relevant to the position you’re applying for. And reduce the info on jobs older than 10 years ago, unless extremely relevant.

10. Forgetting a Strong Summary Section

A well-written summary at the top of your resume can immediately grab attention. Use this space to provide a snapshot of your skills, experience, and what you bring to the table.

Pro Tip

Your resume is not static; treat it as a living document. Update it regularly to reflect new skills, certifications, and experiences. And remember, less is often more—keep it concise and impactful.

Your Action Plan:

? Review your resume today for any of these common errors.

? Ask a trusted friend or mentor for feedback.

? Tailor your resume for the next job you apply for.

By taking these steps and avoiding these "expensive" mistakes, you can significantly improve your chances of landing an interview and securing the job you deserve.

What’s the most surprising resume mistake you’ve seen or made? Share your thoughts below!