RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Jobs Over Your Resume
Identify and correct the biggest Environmental Engineer resume mistakes in minutes.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps Environmental Engineers spot and correct resume mistakes that hinder job prospects, ensuring ATS compatibility and recruiter appeal.
Spot hidden ATS blockers
Learn industry‑specific wording
Apply proven formatting rules
Get actionable before‑and‑after examples
Access a quick fix workshop
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Vague Objective StatementMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Provides no value to recruiters
- Fails ATS keyword match
- Makes candidate seem unfocused
How to fix
- Replace with a concise professional summary
- Highlight 3–4 key achievements
- Include relevant certifications and software
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a position in environmental engineering.
✓ After
Professional Summary: Licensed Environmental Engineer with 5+ years designing sustainable water treatment systems, reducing discharge by 30%, proficient in AutoCAD, HEC‑RAS, and EPA regulations.
ATS Tip
Use exact job title and core competencies.
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'objective'
Length < 30 words
Lacks quantifiable metrics
Resumly Tip
Swap the objective for a summary that showcases impact.
Listing Responsibilities Instead of AchievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Recruiters skim for results
- ATS favors quantifiable data
- Makes resume look generic
How to fix
- Convert duties into results with numbers
- Show cost savings, compliance improvements
- Start bullet points with action verbs
❌ Before
Responsible for monitoring water quality at plant.
✓ After
Monitored water quality, achieving 99.8% compliance with state standards and reducing sampling costs by 15% through optimized protocols.
ATS Tip
Include metrics like % compliance, cost reduction, volume treated.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with 'Responsible for'
No numbers present
Verb tense is passive
Resumly Tip
Turn every duty into a measurable achievement.
Omitting Relevant Licenses & CertificationsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Licenses are mandatory for many roles
- ATS may filter out unlicensed candidates
- Reduces credibility
How to fix
- Create a dedicated Certifications section
- List license number and expiration
- Include continuing education
❌ Before
Skills: AutoCAD, GIS
✓ After
Certifications: Professional Engineer (PE) – Environmental, License #12345 (expires 2027); Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
ATS Tip
Use exact certification titles as keywords.
Detection Rules
No 'Certifications' heading
Missing PE abbreviation
Only generic skills listed
Resumly Tip
Add a Certifications section near the top.
Incorrect Date FormattingLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misread dates
- Creates timeline gaps
- Looks unprofessional
How to fix
- Use consistent month-year format (MM/YYYY)
- Align dates to the right
- Avoid abbreviations like 'Jan'
❌ Before
June 2020 – Present
✓ After
06/2020 – Present
ATS Tip
MM/YYYY is universally parsed by ATS.
Detection Rules
Contains month name
Inconsistent date patterns
Resumly Tip
Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY.
Overly Technical Jargon Without ContextMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Recruiters may not understand niche terms
- ATS may not map jargon to keywords
- Reduces readability
How to fix
- Explain technical terms briefly
- Pair jargon with outcomes
- Balance technical depth with plain language
❌ Before
Utilized HEC‑RAS for hydraulic modeling.
✓ After
Used HEC‑RAS hydraulic modeling software to design flood mitigation plans, reducing flood risk by 25%.
ATS Tip
Combine tool name with action and result.
Detection Rules
Bullet contains only software name
No result mentioned
Resumly Tip
Add a result to every technical bullet.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Key Projects, Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills, Professional Affiliations
Naming: FirstName_LastName_EnvironmentalEngineer_Resume
Consistency
Length: One to two pages (max 2)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (e.g., Seattle, WA)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional summary instead of an objective
- Quantify every achievement
- Include PE license and other certifications
- Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
- Tailor keywords to the job description
- Keep resume to 1‑2 pages
- Save as PDF with searchable text
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, Taleo
Keyword Strategy: Include terms like 'environmental compliance', 'sustainable design', 'EPA regulations', 'water treatment', 'soil remediation'
Heading Format: Use standard headings such as 'Professional Summary', 'Experience', 'Education', 'Certifications', 'Technical Skills'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Environmental Engineer resume text
- Convert objectives to summaries
- Add quantifiable metrics
- Insert certifications section
- Standardize date format
- Simplify technical jargon with results
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