RESUME MISTAKES
Avoid Costly Resume Mistakes and Get Hired Faster
Tailored advice for factory workers to craft a clean, ATS‑friendly resume.
How This Page Helps
Help factory workers identify and correct resume errors that keep them from getting interviews.
Spot hidden formatting issues
Learn ATS‑compatible language
See before‑and‑after resume snippets
Get a printable checklist
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Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using a generic objective statementMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Vague objectives don’t show value
- ATS may ignore generic text
- Hiring managers skim quickly
How to fix
- Replace with a concise summary highlighting specific skills and years of experience
- Include measurable achievements
- Tailor to the target role
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a position in manufacturing.
✓ After
Summary: 5+ years operating CNC machines, improving production efficiency by 12%, seeking a CNC Operator role at XYZ Manufacturing.
ATS Tip
Start with a keyword‑rich summary, not an objective.
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'Objective'
Less than 30 characters after colon
No quantifiable metrics
Resumly Tip
Swap the objective for a results‑focused summary.
Listing duties instead of achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Doesn’t differentiate you from other applicants
- ATS looks for action verbs and results
- Hiring managers want impact
How to fix
- Start each bullet with a strong verb
- Quantify results (e.g., % increase, units produced)
- Focus on outcomes rather than tasks
❌ Before
• Operated assembly line machines. • Performed routine maintenance.
✓ After
• Operated assembly line machines, maintaining 99.8% uptime over 12 months. • Conducted preventive maintenance, reducing breakdowns by 15%.
ATS Tip
Use action verbs and numbers to boost keyword density.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with verbs like 'Performed','Assisted'
No numbers present
Length > 10 words without metrics
Resumly Tip
Turn duties into achievement statements with metrics.
Incorrect date format causing parsing errorsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to read employment dates
- Gaps appear ambiguous
- Hiring managers can’t verify tenure
How to fix
- Use month‑year format (MM/YYYY)
- Keep dates consistent across all entries
- Avoid abbreviations like 'Jan'
❌ Before
June 2020 – Present
✓ After
06/2020 – Present
ATS Tip
MM/YYYY is universally recognized by ATS.
Detection Rules
Contains month name
Inconsistent separators
Missing year
Resumly Tip
Standardize dates to MM/YYYY.
Missing relevant keywords for factory rolesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS filters out resumes lacking key terms
- Recruiters may overlook your resume
- You appear less qualified
How to fix
- Research job ads for common terms (e.g., 'lean manufacturing', 'safety compliance')
- Incorporate them naturally in summary and bullet points
- Use industry‑standard titles
❌ Before
Worked on production floor.
✓ After
Worked on production floor adhering to lean manufacturing principles and safety compliance, achieving zero recordable incidents.
ATS Tip
Include at least 5–7 role‑specific keywords.
Detection Rules
No occurrence of 'lean', 'safety', 'ISO', 'KPIs'
Keyword count <5
Resumly Tip
Add targeted keywords to boost ATS match.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Skills, Work Experience, Education, Certifications
Naming: FirstName_LastName_FactoryWorker_Resume
Consistency
Length: One page for entry‑level, up to two pages for senior roles
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a keyword‑rich summary
- Quantify every achievement
- Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
- Include core skills section with relevant terms
- Save as PDF with searchable text
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Taleo, Greenhouse
Keyword Strategy: lean manufacturing, safety compliance, CNC operation, ISO 9001, shift work, equipment maintenance, productivity improvement
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Summary', 'Work Experience', 'Education' to ensure ATS parsing.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text below
- Convert objective to summary
- Add metrics to bullet points
- Standardize date format
- Insert top 7 industry keywords
- Reformat sections to recommended order
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