RESUME MISTAKES
Transform Your Data Governance Resume
Avoid costly mistakes and showcase your expertise to hiring managers and ATS.
How This Page Helps
This page helps Data Governance Specialists identify common resume pitfalls, understand why they hurt, and apply proven fixes to improve ATS compatibility and recruiter appeal.
Identify the most damaging resume errors specific to data governance roles
Learn why each mistake reduces your chances with both recruiters and ATS
Get step‑by‑step fixes you can apply in minutes
Access a downloadable workshop to rewrite your resume instantly
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Vague buzzwords instead of measurable achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Recruiters can’t gauge impact
- ATS scores low on generic terms
- Fails to differentiate you from other candidates
How to fix
- Replace buzzwords with quantified results
- Use action verbs and specific metrics
- Tie achievements to business outcomes
❌ Before
Led data governance initiatives and improved data quality.
✓ After
Implemented a data governance framework that reduced data errors by 35% and saved $200K annually.
ATS Tip
Include numbers and keywords like "data quality improvement" and "% reduction".
Detection Rules
Absence of percentages or dollar amounts
Presence of generic verbs without context
Resumly Tip
Swap "led" for "implemented" and add the 35% error reduction figure.
Missing reference to industry frameworks (DAMA, COBIT)MEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Shows lack of formal knowledge
- ATS often scans for framework names
- Hiring managers expect proven methodology
How to fix
- List relevant frameworks in Core Competencies
- Mention certifications or training
- Cite specific projects using the framework
❌ Before
Managed data policies across the organization.
✓ After
Managed data policies using DAMA‑DMBoK principles, achieving compliance across 12 business units.
ATS Tip
Add framework names as exact keywords (DAMA, COBIT, DCAM).
Detection Rules
No mention of DAMA, COBIT, DCAM, or similar
Only generic "data policies" phrasing
Resumly Tip
Add "DAMA‑DMBoK" after your policy management description.
Omitting data privacy compliance experience (GDPR, CCPA)HIGH
Why it hurts
- Privacy regulations are top hiring criteria
- ATS filters for GDPR/CCPA keywords
- Candidates without this appear less qualified
How to fix
- Highlight compliance projects in Experience section
- Specify regulations you’ve implemented
- Quantify risk reduction or audit outcomes
❌ Before
Ensured data compliance.
✓ After
Led GDPR and CCPA compliance program, reducing audit findings by 80% and avoiding $500K potential fines.
ATS Tip
Use exact regulation names and impact metrics.
Detection Rules
No GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, or other regulation mentions
Only vague "compliance" wording
Resumly Tip
Insert "GDPR and CCPA compliance" with the 80% reduction metric.
Unstructured technical skills listMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may miss key tool names
- Recruiters skim for relevant tools quickly
- Cluttered list looks unprofessional
How to fix
- Group skills by category (Data Governance Tools, Analytics, Cloud)
- Use bullet points or columns
- Include exact product names (Collibra, Alation, Informatica)
❌ Before
Skills: data management, SQL, Excel, data quality, reporting.
✓ After
Technical Skills: • Data Governance Tools: Collibra, Alation, Informatica Data Quality • Analytics: SQL, Python, Tableau • Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure
ATS Tip
Separate each tool with commas; avoid line breaks that break parsing.
Detection Rules
Single long string of skills
Missing commas between tool names
Resumly Tip
Reformat skills into categorized bullet list with commas.
Non‑standard headings that confuse ATSLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS relies on common headings to map sections
- Important info may be ignored
- Recruiters may miss key sections
How to fix
- Use standard headings: Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
- Avoid creative titles like "My Journey"
❌ Before
Career Highlights --- Data Governance Projects --- Academic Background
✓ After
Professional Summary Core Competencies Professional Experience Education Certifications Technical Skills
ATS Tip
Stick to conventional headings; ATS parsers are trained on them.
Detection Rules
Creative or custom heading names
Missing standard headings
Resumly Tip
Replace "Career Highlights" with "Professional Summary".
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_DataGovernance.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages, 400‑800 words
Date Format: MMM YYYY – MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State (Remote optional)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional email address
- Include a headline with "Data Governance Specialist"
- Add a concise 3‑sentence summary with key metrics
- List DAMA, GDPR, and other frameworks in Core Competencies
- Quantify achievements in every experience bullet
- Format skills into categories with commas
- Save as PDF with a clear file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Data governance, data stewardship, DAMA, GDPR, CCPA, data quality, metadata management, data lineage, compliance
Heading Format: Use standard headings like Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Experience, Education
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text
- Replace generic buzzwords with quantified results
- Add missing governance frameworks
- Reformat skills into categories
- Insert ATS‑friendly headings
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