RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Letting Resume Errors Silence Your Story
Identify and fix the most common journalist resume mistakes to get noticed by editors and hiring managers.
How This Page Helps
Help journalists craft error‑free, compelling resumes that pass ATS filters and impress newsroom editors.
Spot hidden ATS blockers
Rewrite vague experience into measurable impact
Choose the right layout for fast‑read newsrooms
Polish language for journalistic tone
Download 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 powerful summaryMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Objectives are outdated and add no value
- Editors skim resumes and miss generic statements
- ATS may not match keywords in a bland objective
How to fix
- Replace the objective with a 2‑sentence professional summary
- Highlight beats, years of experience, and key achievements
- Insert target keywords like investigative, digital, SEO
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a challenging position in journalism where I can utilize my skills.
✓ After
Summary: Award‑winning journalist with 5+ years covering politics and investigative stories, driving a 30% increase in digital readership through data‑driven reporting.
ATS Tip
Lead with keywords (e.g., investigative reporting, digital storytelling) in the summary to boost match rate.
Detection Rules
objective_section_present
summary_missing
Resumly Tip
Swap the objective for a concise summary that showcases your beat and measurable results.
Listing duties instead of achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see impact
- ATS looks for quantifiable results
- Duties sound generic and blend with other candidates
How to fix
- Start each bullet with an action verb
- Add numbers, percentages, or audience metrics
- Show how your work advanced the publication’s goals
❌ Before
- Wrote news articles for the daily newspaper.
✓ After
- Produced 15+ investigative pieces that uncovered local corruption, resulting in a 20% rise in subscription renewals and two state‑level policy changes.
ATS Tip
Include metrics and verbs that align with keywords like 'produced', 'increased', 'generated'.
Detection Rules
bullet_points_start_with_verb==false
no_numbers_in_experience
Resumly Tip
Transform duty‑based bullets into achievement‑focused statements with concrete results.
Omitting digital media skills and toolsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Modern newsrooms demand multimedia expertise
- ATS keywords for CMS, SEO, and analytics are missed
- You appear less versatile than peers
How to fix
- Create a 'Key Skills' section with tools such as WordPress, SEO, Adobe Photoshop, Datawrapper
- Mention specific platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Google Analytics) in experience bullets
- Tie skills to outcomes (e.g., optimized SEO boosted page views)
❌ Before
Skills: Writing, Editing, Research
✓ After
Key Skills: Investigative Reporting, SEO Optimization, WordPress CMS, Adobe Photoshop, Datawrapper, Google Analytics, Social Media Management (Hootsuite)
ATS Tip
Match the exact tool names listed in the job description to improve ATS relevance.
Detection Rules
digital_tools_missing
Resumly Tip
Add a dedicated skills list that highlights current digital journalism tools and platforms.
Using multi‑column layouts or graphics that confuse ATSHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS parsers read left‑to‑right and may drop content
- Important details can be lost or misplaced
- Hiring managers receive garbled text copies
How to fix
- Stick to a single‑column, clean layout
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Avoid tables, text boxes, and embedded images for core content
❌ Before
[Two‑column resume with a sidebar graphic showing a pen icon]
✓ After
[Single‑column resume with clear headings, no graphics, plain text sections]
ATS Tip
Save the final version as a PDF with selectable text; run it through an ATS simulator to verify parsing.
Detection Rules
multiple_columns_detected
graphics_in_core_section
Resumly Tip
Convert to a simple, single‑column format to ensure every word is read by the ATS.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Header, Professional Summary, Key Skills, Professional Experience, Education, Awards & Publications, Digital Portfolio
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Journalist_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages for early‑career journalists; up to 3 pages for senior editors
Date Format: MMM YYYY (e.g., Jan 2020)
Location Format: City, State (optional)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a concise headline with your primary beat
- Include measurable metrics for each story or project
- Add a dedicated digital skills section
- Keep formatting ATS‑friendly (single column, standard fonts)
- Proofread for AP style consistency and zero typos
- Link to an online portfolio or published work
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, JazzHR
Keyword Strategy: Investigative reporting, SEO, multimedia storytelling, AP style, content management systems, data visualization
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Key Skills'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current journalist resume text
- Convert bullet points to achievement‑focused statements
- Add relevant keywords for media ATS
- Standardize date and location formats
- Remove graphics and multi‑column layouts
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