RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Firefighter Resume Mistakes From Holding You Back
Identify and correct the top errors that keep hiring managers from seeing your bravery on paper.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps firefighters craft a clean, ATS‑friendly resume by highlighting frequent mistakes and providing actionable fixes.
Spot hidden formatting errors
Learn what hiring chiefs look for
Apply ATS‑compatible keywords
See before‑and‑after resume snippets
Use our free checklist and PDF workshop
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Generic objective instead of a targeted summaryHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring chiefs skim quickly and discard vague objectives
- ATS algorithms prioritize relevant keywords found in summaries
- A generic statement fails to showcase rank, experience, or specialty
How to fix
- Replace the objective with a 2‑3 sentence summary highlighting rank, years of service, and key achievements
- Lead with certifications and specialized training
- Use industry keywords such as "fire suppression" and "incident command"
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a position where I can use my skills.
✓ After
Summary: Certified Firefighter with 5 years of experience in high‑rise rescues, fire suppression, and EMT services, seeking to join XYZ Fire Department to lead community safety initiatives.
ATS Tip
Place rank, certifications, and years of experience within the first 40 characters of the summary.
Detection Rules
objective_section_present
summary_missing
generic_phrases_detected
Resumly Tip
Swap the objective for a concise, achievement‑focused summary.
Listing duties instead of achievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Duties read like a job description, not a performance record
- ATS looks for quantifiable results and action verbs
- Hiring managers want proof of impact
How to fix
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb
- Quantify results (e.g., reduced response time by 15%)
- Highlight leadership or special projects
❌ Before
- Responded to fire alarms, operated hoses, performed rescues.
✓ After
- Reduced average response time by 15% by implementing a new dispatch protocol. - Led a crew that extinguished a 3‑story building fire with zero injuries, saving $200K in property damage. - Trained 12 new recruits on hazardous material containment, improving safety compliance scores to 98%.
ATS Tip
Begin bullets with verbs like "Led," "Reduced," "Implemented," and include numbers or percentages.
Detection Rules
bullet_points_start_with_verbs
quantify_missing
Resumly Tip
Turn each duty into a measurable achievement with numbers and action verbs.
Omitting certifications and trainingHIGH
Why it hurts
- Fire departments filter candidates by required certifications (NFPA, EMT, HazMat)
- Missing credentials cause ATS to rank the resume lower
- Hiring managers may assume lack of qualifications
How to fix
- Create a dedicated "Certifications" section near the top of the resume
- List each certification with issuing authority and date of expiration
- Use exact titles such as "NFPA 1001 Firefighter I"
❌ Before
Experience section only lists job titles and dates.
✓ After
Certifications: - NFPA 1001 Firefighter I, National Fire Protection Association, Expires 07/2026 - EMT‑Basic, State Health Department, Expires 03/2025 - HazMat Operations, FEMA, Completed 11/2022
ATS Tip
Include certification names as keywords; place the section before Experience for maximum visibility.
Detection Rules
certifications_section_missing
keywords_firefighter_certifications_missing
Resumly Tip
Create a clear Certifications section with standard titles and dates.
Inconsistent date and location formatsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to parse dates that vary in style
- Hiring managers struggle to scan timelines quickly
- Inconsistent locations can appear unprofessional
How to fix
- Standardize all dates to "MMM YYYY" (e.g., Jun 2018)
- Use a pipe (|) to separate dates from location and include city and state
❌ Before
June 2018 – Present, City Fire Dept
✓ After
Jun 2018 – Present | City, State
ATS Tip
Use the same date format throughout and always include the state abbreviation for location parsing.
Detection Rules
date_format_variation
location_missing_state
Resumly Tip
Standardize dates as "MMM YYYY" and format locations as "City, State" with a pipe separator.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Certifications, Experience, Education, Volunteer Service, Awards
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Firefighter_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages for entry‑level, up to 3 pages for senior firefighters
Date Format: MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a strong summary that includes rank and years of service
- Quantify achievements with numbers or percentages
- List all relevant certifications and expiration dates
- Standardize dates to "MMM YYYY" and locations to "City, State"
- Include fire‑department keywords such as "fire suppression," "EMT," "incident command"
- Save as a searchable PDF with a professional file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, ApplicantPro
Keyword Strategy: Firefighter, EMT, Fire Suppression, Incident Command, Hazardous Materials, NFPA, Rescue Operations
Heading Format: Use standard headings like "Professional Experience" and "Certifications" to match ATS parsing
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current firefighter resume text
- Convert objectives to summaries
- Add quantifiable results
- Insert certifications section
- Standardize dates and locations
- Optimize keywords for fire department ATS
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