RESUME MISTAKES
Turn Your Star‑Studded Experience into a Stellar Resume
Identify and correct the top resume pitfalls that astronomers face.
How This Page Helps
Help astronomers craft a resume that showcases their research, observational skills, and analytical expertise while passing ATS filters.
Showcase research achievements with clear metrics
Translate complex scientific work into recruiter‑friendly language
Align your resume with the specific keywords used by astronomy labs and observatories
Ensure formatting meets both human and ATS readability standards
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Overly Technical JargonMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Recruiters may not understand field‑specific acronyms
- ATS may not recognize uncommon terms
- Reduces readability and slows decision‑making
How to fix
- Replace acronyms with full terms on first use
- Add plain‑language equivalents for specialized concepts
- Include standard industry keywords alongside technical language
❌ Before
• Utilized CCD‑IR spectrograph for high‑resolution NIR spectroscopy of L‑type brown dwarfs.
✓ After
• Conducted high‑resolution near‑infrared spectroscopy of brown dwarfs using a CCD infrared spectrograph.
ATS Tip
Use plain language and embed common keywords such as "spectroscopy" and "data analysis".
Detection Rules
Contains >3 unexplained acronyms
Low match rate with standard astronomy keywords
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags jargon and suggests plain‑language alternatives while preserving technical accuracy.
Missing Quantifiable ImpactHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge the scale of your contributions
- ATS scores drop when achievements lack measurable results
- Opens the resume to vague statements that blend into the background
How to fix
- Add numbers, percentages, or timeframes to each bullet
- Highlight grant amounts, publication citations, or telescope time secured
- Show before‑and‑after scenarios when possible
❌ Before
• Conducted data reduction for multiple observation campaigns.
✓ After
• Reduced and calibrated data for 12 observation campaigns, improving processing speed by 30% and contributing to 5 peer‑reviewed papers.
ATS Tip
Include keywords like "increased", "reduced", "published", and numeric values to boost ATS relevance.
Detection Rules
Bullets lack digits or percentages
No mention of publications, grants, or telescope time
Resumly Tip
Resumly scans each bullet and prompts you to insert quantifiable metrics where missing.
Unexplained Chronological GapsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Gaps raise questions about continuity of research
- ATS may interpret gaps as missing experience
- Recruiters may assume lack of productivity
How to fix
- Add brief explanations such as "Postdoctoral fellowship" or "Research sabbatical"
- Use a functional or hybrid format to emphasize skills during gaps
- Include any freelance consulting, conference organization, or coursework undertaken
❌ Before
2018 – 2020 (No entry)
✓ After
2018 – 2020 Postdoctoral Fellowship – XYZ Observatory (Focused on exoplanet transit photometry)
ATS Tip
Label gaps with a clear role title and relevant keywords to keep the ATS parsing flow intact.
Detection Rules
Date ranges with empty description
More than 12 months without a listed position
Resumly Tip
Resumly detects empty date blocks and suggests appropriate filler titles and descriptions.
Improper File Format or NamingLOW
Why it hurts
- Many ATS cannot parse .txt or image files
- Recruiters may discard files with unclear names
- Incorrect formats can corrupt layout and lose styling
How to fix
- Save the resume as PDF (text‑based) or DOCX
- Name the file using first and last name plus role (e.g., Jane_Doe_Astronomer.pdf)
- Avoid special characters and spaces in the filename
❌ Before
resume_final_v2.doc
✓ After
Jane_Doe_Astronomer.pdf
ATS Tip
PDF retains formatting and is universally accepted by major ATS platforms.
Detection Rules
File extension not .pdf or .docx
Filename contains spaces or special symbols
Resumly Tip
Resumly checks your upload and recommends the optimal file type and naming convention.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Research Experience, Publications, Technical Skills, Education, Awards & Grants
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Astronomer.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages for early‑career astronomers, up to 3 pages for senior researchers
Date Format: MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State/Country
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear professional summary of 2–3 lines
- List research experience in reverse chronological order
- Include at least 3 peer‑reviewed publications with citation style
- Add a technical skills table with software (e.g., IRAF, Python, MATLAB)
- Show grant amounts or telescope time awarded
- Proofread for spelling of astronomical terms
- Save as PDF with proper naming
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Observational astronomy, data reduction, spectral analysis, telescope operations, grant writing, peer‑reviewed publications, astrophysics modeling
Heading Format: Use standard headings like "Research Experience" and "Publications"
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text into the box below
- Remove excessive jargon
- Add quantifiable results
- Standardize date format
- Optimize headings for ATS
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