RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Drone Jobs to a Bad Resume
Identify and correct the critical mistakes that keep hiring managers from seeing your flight expertise.
How This Page Helps
This page helps drone operators pinpoint resume flaws, understand why they hurt their job prospects, and apply concrete fixes that improve ATS scores and recruiter appeal.
Spot the 7 most damaging resume errors for UAV professionals
Learn why each mistake reduces your chances of getting an interview
Get ready‑to‑use before‑and‑after examples
Apply quick, actionable fixes with our free workshop
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing FAA Part 107 CertificationHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t verify legal operating authority
- ATS filters often require the exact phrase “FAA Part 107”
- Shows lack of professionalism in regulated industry
How to fix
- Add a dedicated "Certifications" section
- List the certification name, issuing authority, and date earned
- Include the certification number if available
❌ Before
Certifications: Drone Pilot Issued: 2022
✓ After
Certifications FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate – FAA (Issued 03/2022) – Certificate #12345678
ATS Tip
Use the exact phrase "FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate" to match keyword filters
Detection Rules
No line containing "FAA Part 107"
Certification section missing or vague
Resumly Tip
Add a clear certification line; ATS looks for the exact wording.
Vague Job TitlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Recruiters skim for specific roles like "UAV Operator" or "Drone Pilot"
- ATS may not map generic titles to the target role
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with industry‑standard terms
- Add a brief qualifier if the role was unique
❌ Before
Job Title: Operator Company: XYZ Services
✓ After
Job Title: UAV Operator – Aerial Mapping Specialist Company: XYZ Services
ATS Tip
Include keywords such as "UAV Operator", "Drone Pilot", or "Aerial Surveyor" in the title
Detection Rules
Title does not contain "UAV" or "Drone"
Resumly Tip
Swap generic titles for precise industry language.
No Quantified Flight ExperienceHIGH
Why it hurts
- Numbers give hiring managers a sense of scale and reliability
- ATS often scores resumes higher when metrics are present
How to fix
- Add total flight hours, number of missions, and average altitude range
- Present metrics as concise bullet points
❌ Before
Conducted aerial surveys for construction sites.
✓ After
Conducted 150+ aerial surveys covering 2,300 acres; logged 1,200 flight hours with average altitude of 300 ft.
ATS Tip
Start bullet points with numbers (e.g., "150+ aerial surveys")
Detection Rules
Bullet points lack numeric values
Resumly Tip
Insert concrete numbers to showcase impact.
Unclear Safety RecordMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Safety is paramount in UAV operations; gaps raise red flags
- ATS may look for safety‑related keywords
How to fix
- Create a "Safety & Compliance" bullet under each relevant role
- Mention zero incident rates or compliance audits
❌ Before
Operated drones for infrastructure inspections.
✓ After
Operated drones for infrastructure inspections; maintained 0 safety incidents over 2 years; passed quarterly FAA compliance audits.
ATS Tip
Include phrases like "zero incidents" and "compliance audit"
Detection Rules
No mention of safety metrics
Resumly Tip
Highlight safety achievements to build trust.
Inconsistent Technical Skill FormattingLOW
Why it hurts
- Recruiters may miss key software or hardware expertise
- ATS parses skills from a clean, comma‑separated list
How to fix
- Group skills under a single "Technical Skills" heading
- List platforms, software, and programming languages in a consistent format
❌ Before
Skills: DJI Phantom, GIS mapping, Python scripting
✓ After
Technical Skills: UAV Platforms – DJI Phantom, DJI Mavic, Pixhawk; Software – Pix4D, DroneDeploy, ArcGIS; Programming – Python, JavaScript; Sensors – LiDAR, Thermal Imaging
ATS Tip
Use bullet points or commas; avoid mixed separators
Detection Rules
Skills listed across multiple sections or with inconsistent separators
Resumly Tip
Consolidate all technical abilities in one clean list.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Certifications, Technical Skills, Professional Experience, Education, Projects
Naming: FirstName_LastName_DroneOperator.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include FAA Part 107 certification with exact wording
- Use specific titles like "UAV Operator" or "Drone Pilot"
- Quantify flight hours, missions, and coverage area
- Highlight safety record (e.g., 0 incidents)
- List technical skills in a single, consistently formatted section
- Keep resume to 1–2 pages and save as PDF
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Workday
Keyword Strategy: FAA Part 107, UAV Operator, Drone Pilot, flight hours, aerial mapping, photogrammetry, GIS, DJI, Pix4D, LiDAR, thermal imaging
Heading Format: Use standard headings: Certifications, Technical Skills, Professional Experience, Education
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste the full text of your current drone operator resume below
- Add a dedicated Certifications line with FAA Part 107 details
- Convert flight experience into quantified bullet points
- Standardize Technical Skills into a comma‑separated list
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