If you want to avoid making a BAD first impression - don't make these common resume mistakes!
10 Common Resume Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
1. Unprofessional Layout |
Use a professionally designed resume template from sites like Canva or Venngage. |
2. Grammar and Spelling Errors |
Proofread your resume or use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor. |
3. Vague Professional Summary |
Keep it short (2-3 sentences) and focus on your key skills and value. |
4. Not Customizing to Job Posting |
Research the job and use the same language and skills from the job description. |
5. Too Much Focus on Job Duties |
Highlight accomplishments and results, not just responsibilities. |
6. Not Showing Relevant Skills |
List only skills that match the job and include examples of how you used them. |
7. Missing Contact Info |
Include your full name, phone number, email, and links to LinkedIn or a personal website. |
8. Not Including Education or Certifications |
List degrees or certifications that are relevant to the job. |
9. Unprofessional Formatting |
Use online resume builders or templates to create a clean, professional layout. |
10. Not Proofing |
Always proofread your resume or ask someone to check it for errors before sending. |
As a coach I have seen so many job applicants make the same mistakes when writing their resumes.
From unprofessional layout to not tailoring it to the job description they are applying for - these mistakes can cost you an interview and ultimately the job!
In this post I will cover 10 of the most common resume mistakes and how to avoid them.
With a few simple tips and online tools you can create a professional resume that gets you noticed by any hiring manager and lands you your dream job!
Expert Credentials
With many years of experience in human resources (HR) and recruitment I've reviewed many resumes and helped job seekers find employment.
I’m here to teach you how to create a resume that gets you noticed by employers - so let’s get started!
1: Unprofessional Layout
One of the fastest ways to have your resume disregarded is if it looks messy or unprofessional.
Employers are looking for basic design elements such as alignment, margins, font style and spacing that make up a professional looking document.
The good news is there are many online resources available that offer professionally designed templates - so you can create a beautiful resume quickly and easily.
Canva, Venngage and Creative Market are just a few of the many sites that offer free templates you can customise to your needs.
How to Avoid: Use a Professionally Designed Resume Template
Using a pre-made template is an easy and quick way to create a professional looking resume without having to worry about the formatting.
Choose a template, fill in your details and voila - you have a unique resume!
2: Grammar and Spelling Errors
Grammar and spelling mistakes are another surefire way to have your resume end up in the ‘no’ pile.
Even if you’re not exactly the best speller you must double check all the words on your resume.
Employers will be looking for strong communication skills and any errors on your resume will show a lack of attention to detail or carelessness - two qualities you don’t want to be associated with your name.
How to Avoid: Proofread or Use a Resume Writing Tool
First of all, take the time to read over your resume several times before you submit it.
If you’re not confident enough to proofread, no worries, there are many tools available that can help with spelling and grammar mistakes such as Grammarly, ProWritingAid and the Hemingway Editor.
All three are easy to use and offer free versions so you won’t break the bank trying to get a perfect resume/.
3: Vague Professional Summary
Employers need to know what you can offer straight away so having a professional summary or objective statement is essential in any resume.
But job seekers often get carried away with this and include too much unnecessary information.
How to Avoid: Keep it Short & Sweet
Your professional summary should be no more than two or three sentences and should focus on the skills and qualifications that make you a valuable asset in your industry.
Make sure you keep it concise but also highlight your value - this gives potential employers a clear idea of who you are as a professional.
4: Not Customizing Your Resume to Job Posting
If you’re applying for multiple positions it can be tempting to use the same resume for each job application.
But that’s a mistake - the applicant tracking software (ATS) and employers want to see that you’ve matched your experience and qualifications to the job.
Yes! don't forget that most medium to large companies use applicant tracking systems that filter out resumes before a human recruiter even looks at them.
That's why it's critical to show that you understand and appreciate the job requirements - so they’ll be more likely to consider you as a candidate.
How to Avoid: Research the Job & Use the Same Language
When writing your resume, take some extra time to research the job posting and include any relevant language or skills into your document.
Doing so will show employers that you know your industry and have tailored your experience for them.
5: Too Much Focus on Job Duties & Responsibilities
Include your job duties and responsibilities in your resume but it shouldn’t
be the main focus.
Employers want to know what you achieved during your time at that position -
not just a list of everything that was required of you!
Leaving this out will give employers the impression that you just followed
orders and didn’t take initiative in any project or task.
How to Avoid: Highlight Accomplishments & Results
Instead of just listing your job duties, provide context for each one by
highlighting any accomplishments or results associated with the same position.
Highlight what you achieved and not what was required of you will show
potential employers that you took ownership of your job and delivered tangible
results!
6: Not Showing Your Relevant Skills
When listing your skills always focus on those most relevant to the job you’re
applying for.
It’s easy to include every single skill you have in hopes of impressing
employers - but that can do more harm than good as it will make it look like
you don’t specialize in any specific area.
How to Avoid: List Relevant Skills & Include Examples
Take some time to research the job posting and list only the skills that match
up with what the employer is looking for.
Once you’ve done that back each skill up with an example of how you’ve used it
in the past to show potential employers that you’re confident and
knowledgeable about your skills - so they’ll be more likely to consider you as
a candidate!
7: Not Including Contact Info
Although obvious, it’s worth noting that missing contact information is not
ideal when submitting a resume.
Some applicants think giving their name and email address at the top is enough
- but employers need more than that.
At least include your phone number - if not other social media links or
professional website URLs!
How to Avoid: Include All Contact Info
At the very minimum include your full name, phone number and email address on your resume. Other helpful info to include are other social media links (e.g., Linkedin, Twitter, etc.) and personal website URL if you have one!
8: Not Including Education or Certifications
If you’re just starting out in your career, list any degrees or certifications
that are relevant to the job.
If you’ve been in the workforce for some time and don’t have any courses or
certifications listed on your resume, no worries - employers understand not
everyone will have this info!
How to Avoid: List Any Degrees & Certifications
Always include any educational background and professional certifications that will give you an edge over other applicants. Doing so will show employers that you have the necessary knowledge and training to be a qualified candidate for the job!
9: Unprofessional Formatting
Employers want to see resumes in a clear and professional format - not just a
block of text with no formatting.
A bad or unhelpful format will make your resume hard to read and potential
employers will think you’re not serious about the job or lack attention to
detail.
How to Avoid: Use Online Resume Builders & Templates
If creating a resume from scratch is overwhelming, don’t worry - there are plenty of online tools and templates to help you out.
Canva, Adobe Spark and Resume Builder can help you create a professional resume.
10: Not Proofing
After you’ve spent all that time perfecting your resume you need to take a few minutes to review it for grammatical errors or typos before you send it in.
Employers look for detail oriented people who pay attention to the little things - so always proof and spell check your work before you hit send!
How To Avoid: Proof Everything Before Sending
Take a few extra minutes to proof your resume and make sure there are no grammar or spelling mistakes - or any other errors that could kill your application.
If you don’t know where to start ask a friend or family member to review it and give you feedback.
Summary: Avoiding Common Resume Mistakes
- Writing a resume can be scary but with the right preparation and attention to detail you can make yours stand out!
- Avoid common mistakes like not tailoring your resume to the job posting, not showing relevant skills and not proofing.
- Read the job posting carefully, only list essential information and relevant skills (with examples!) and proof everything before you send.
- Using online tools and templates to create a one page or two page resume makes it a quick and easy task!
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