RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Letting Resume Mistakes Stall Your Farming Career
Identify and correct the errors that keep hiring managers from seeing your field expertise.
How This Page Helps
This page helps farmers recognize frequent resume pitfalls, understand why they hurt hiring chances, and apply concrete fixes to create an ATS‑compatible, results‑driven resume.
Spot the 5 most damaging resume errors for agricultural roles
Learn why each mistake reduces interview chances
Apply step‑by‑step fixes with real before‑and‑after examples
Get ATS keyword and formatting tips tailored to farming
Access a downloadable mini‑fix workshop and checklist
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using Generic Job Titles Instead of Specific Farming RolesHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t quickly see your specialty
- ATS may miss industry‑specific keywords
- Reduces perceived relevance to the job posting
How to fix
- Replace vague titles with precise roles (e.g., "Dairy Farm Manager" instead of "Farm Worker")
- Add a brief subtitle that highlights your focus area (e.g., "Organic Crop Production")
- Include relevant certifications next to the title
❌ Before
Farm Worker – XYZ Farm, 2018‑2022
✓ After
Dairy Farm Manager – XYZ Farm, 2018‑2022 Certified Dairy Production Specialist (CDPS)
ATS Tip
Use exact titles that appear in job ads such as "Livestock Supervisor" or "Organic Crop Specialist"
Detection Rules
Title lacks industry keywords
Title length < 5 characters
No certification listed
Resumly Tip
Swap generic titles for the exact role you performed; it instantly boosts relevance.
Listing Duties Without Quantifiable ResultsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Provides no evidence of impact
- Makes it hard for ATS to match performance metrics
- Leaves hiring managers guessing your productivity
How to fix
- Add numbers, percentages, or acres to each bullet (e.g., "Managed 150 acres of corn, increasing yield by 12%")
- Focus on outcomes rather than tasks alone
- Use action verbs followed by measurable results
❌ Before
- Responsible for planting and harvesting crops. - Oversaw livestock feeding schedules.
✓ After
- Managed planting and harvesting of 150 acres of corn, boosting yield by 12% YoY. - Supervised feeding of 200 head of cattle, reducing feed waste by 8% through optimized schedules.
ATS Tip
Include keywords like "yield increase", "acreage managed", "herd size" to match ATS filters
Detection Rules
Bullet points contain no numbers
Bullets start with "Responsible for" or "Oversaw"
Resumly Tip
Turn every duty into a result with concrete figures; numbers catch both ATS and recruiters.
Omitting Relevant Certifications and LicensesHIGH
Why it hurts
- Farm employers often require specific certifications (e.g., Pesticide Applicator)
- ATS scans for credential keywords and may discard resumes lacking them
- You appear less qualified than competitors
How to fix
- Create a dedicated "Certifications" section near the top of the resume
- List each certification with issuing body and expiration date
- Include related licenses such as "Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)" if applicable
❌ Before
Education - Associate of Applied Science, Agriculture, State College
✓ After
Certifications - Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), American Society of Agronomy, Expires 2026 - Pesticide Applicator License, State Dept. of Agriculture, Expires 2024 - Commercial Driver’s License (Class A)
ATS Tip
Match certification names exactly as they appear in job postings
Detection Rules
No "Certifications" heading
Only education listed
Resumly Tip
A concise certifications list signals compliance with industry standards and boosts ATS scores.
Poor Formatting and Lack of ATS KeywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to parse information, causing your resume to be skipped
- Hiring managers struggle to locate key sections quickly
- Unprofessional look reduces credibility
How to fix
- Use a clean, single‑column layout with standard headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
- Save as PDF or DOCX with standard fonts (Arial, Calibri)
- Incorporate top farming keywords such as "soil health", "livestock nutrition", "organic certification" throughout
❌ Before
[Graphic‑heavy resume with tables, multiple fonts, and a photo]
✓ After
[Plain text PDF with clear headings, bullet points, and consistent font]
ATS Tip
Avoid tables, images, and special characters; stick to simple bullet points and bold headings
Detection Rules
Contains tables or images
Uses non‑standard fonts
Heading hierarchy inconsistent
Resumly Tip
A minimalist, keyword‑rich format ensures both ATS readability and recruiter appeal.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Farmer.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use specific farming job titles
- Add measurable results to every bullet
- Include all relevant certifications and licenses
- Apply standard headings and simple formatting
- Insert top industry keywords
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday
Keyword Strategy: crop rotation, irrigation management, livestock health, USDA organic, farm equipment maintenance, soil testing, agronomy, sustainable farming
Heading Format: Use conventional headings like Professional Summary, Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste the current text of your farmer resume below
- Standardize headings
- Add quantifiable metrics
- Insert relevant farming keywords
- Reformat for ATS compatibility
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