RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Opportunities: Fix Your Executive Assistant Resume Today
Identify common pitfalls and apply expert fixes to get past ATS and impress hiring managers.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps executive assistants pinpoint and correct resume errors that keep them from getting interviews, ensuring their documents are ATS‑friendly and showcase their high‑level support skills.
Spot the most damaging formatting errors
Learn why vague language hurts your candidacy
Apply actionable rewrites for each mistake
Align your resume with top ATS algorithms
Boost confidence with a ready‑to‑use checklist
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using a generic objective instead of a professional summaryHIGH
Why it hurts
- Objective statements are vague and provide no measurable value
- Hiring managers and ATS look for impact‑focused summaries
- Fails to showcase senior‑level support experience
How to fix
- Replace the objective with a 3‑sentence professional summary
- Highlight years of C‑suite support and key achievements
- Incorporate relevant keywords and quantifiable results
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills.
✓ After
Professional Summary: Detail‑oriented Executive Assistant with 5+ years supporting C‑suite executives, streamlining operations, and managing complex calendars to improve efficiency by 20%.
ATS Tip
Include keywords like "C‑suite support", "calendar management", "project coordination".
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'Objective'
Length under 30 words
Lacks quantifiable achievements
Resumly Tip
Swap the objective for a concise summary that highlights impact and relevant keywords.
Listing duties without achievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Bullet points read like a task list, not a value proposition
- ATS scores lower when numbers or results are missing
- Recruiters miss evidence of your contribution
How to fix
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb
- Add a metric, percentage, or dollar amount to show results
- Focus on outcomes rather than responsibilities
❌ Before
Managed travel arrangements for executives.
✓ After
Managed travel arrangements for 5 senior executives, negotiating vendor contracts that saved $15K annually.
ATS Tip
Add action verbs and metrics to each responsibility bullet.
Detection Rules
Bullets contain verbs but no numbers or results
No percentages, dollar amounts, or time frames
Resumly Tip
Add a result or metric to every responsibility to demonstrate impact.
Incorrect date format causing parsing errorsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to recognize employment periods
- Inconsistent dates look unprofessional to recruiters
- Can lead to duplicate or missing entries in the system
How to fix
- Standardize all dates to three‑letter month abbreviations
- Use a consistent separator (e.g., "–")
- Align start and end dates on the same line
❌ Before
June 2018 – Present
✓ After
Jun 2018 – Present
ATS Tip
Use the "MMM YYYY" format (e.g., "Jun 2018") for all dates.
Detection Rules
Date contains full month name
Uses slashes or periods as separators
Resumly Tip
Standardize dates to "MMM YYYY" to ensure ATS readability.
Using graphics or tables that ATS can't readHIGH
Why it hurts
- Non‑text elements are stripped during parsing, losing critical information
- ATS may reject the resume as unreadable
- Design choices can hide keywords from the system
How to fix
- Switch to a single‑column, plain‑text layout
- Remove all tables, icons, and images
- Use standard headings and bullet points only
❌ Before
A two‑column layout with icons for skills and a shaded header.
✓ After
A single‑column, plain‑text format with a simple Skills section listed as bullet points.
ATS Tip
Stick to standard headings and plain text; avoid tables and graphics.
Detection Rules
Contains HTML tags or special characters
Uses column separators like "|" or "■"
Resumly Tip
Remove all tables, columns, and images; keep the resume text‑only for maximum ATS compatibility.
Missing relevant keywords for executive supportMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS filters out resumes lacking job‑specific terms
- Recruiters may overlook a resume that doesn't speak their language
- Reduces chances of passing the initial screening
How to fix
- Analyze the job description for top keywords
- Add industry‑specific tools and verbs to the Skills section
- Weave keywords naturally throughout experience bullets
❌ Before
Skills: Organization, Communication, Microsoft Office.
✓ After
Skills: Calendar Management, Travel Coordination, Stakeholder Communication, Microsoft Office Suite, Concur, Slack, Project Management.
ATS Tip
Research the posting for terms like "C‑suite support", "travel coordination", "confidential correspondence" and embed them.
Detection Rules
Skills list contains fewer than 5 items
No mention of industry‑specific tools or software
Resumly Tip
Expand your Skills section with tools, platforms, and verbs that match the job posting.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_EA_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages (max 2 for senior EA)
Date Format: MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State (optional)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional summary, not an objective
- Quantify achievements in every experience bullet
- Standardize dates to MMM YYYY
- Remove tables, graphics, and columns
- Include at least 8 relevant keywords from the job posting
- Save as PDF with searchable text
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, SmartRecruiters
Keyword Strategy: Focus on terms like 'C‑suite support', 'calendar management', 'travel coordination', 'project management', 'confidential correspondence'
Heading Format: Use standard headings: Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Executive Assistant resume text below
- Convert objective to summary
- Add metrics to duties
- Standardize date format
- Strip tables/graphics
- Insert top industry keywords
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