RESUME MISTAKES
Eliminate Resume Mistakes That Block Your Lean Manufacturing Career
Turn common slipâups into powerful statements that showcase your continuousâimprovement expertise.
How This Page Helps
This page helps Lean Manufacturing Specialists identify frequent resume pitfalls, understand why they hurt hiring chances, and apply concrete fixes to create an ATSâfriendly, resultsâdriven document.
Spot the 5 most damaging resume errors for lean roles
Learn why each mistake reduces your interview odds
Apply stepâbyâstep fixes with real beforeâandâafter examples
Align your resume with top ATS algorithms used in manufacturing
Access a downloadable miniâworkshop to rewrite key sections instantly
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing LeanâSpecific MetricsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers canât see measurable impact
- ATS keywords like "cycle time reduction" are absent
- Resume looks generic compared to industry peers
How to fix
- Add quantifiable results for Kaizen events (e.g., "% reduction in lead time")
- Include specific metrics: OEE, takt time, scrap rate, cost savings
- Use action verbs paired with numbers ("Reduced cycle time by 18%")
â Before
Implemented process improvements that increased efficiency.
â After
Implemented Kaizen events that reduced cycle time by 18% and increased OEE from 72% to 85% within 6 months.
ATS Tip
Insert lean keywords (Kaizen, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping) early in the Professional Summary and Core Competencies sections.
Detection Rules
No numeric values greater than 5%
Absence of terms: Kaizen, Six Sigma, OEE, takt time
Resumly Tip
Quantify every improvement â numbers speak louder than adjectives.
Using Generic Job TitlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Algorithms prioritize exact role titles
- Recruiters skim for specific titles like "Lean Engineer" or "Continuous Improvement Lead"
- Your seniority level becomes unclear
How to fix
- Replace vague titles (e.g., "Manufacturing Associate") with precise ones (e.g., "Lean Manufacturing Engineer")
- Add a brief qualifier if the official title was generic (e.g., "Manufacturing Associate â Lean Focus")
â Before
Manufacturing Associate, XYZ Corp
â After
Lean Manufacturing Engineer, XYZ Corp
ATS Tip
Match the title used in the job posting; include both official and functional titles separated by a slash if needed.
Detection Rules
Title does not contain "Lean" or "Continuous Improvement"
Title length under 3 words
Resumly Tip
Exact titles improve keyword match and clarify your expertise.
Overly Technical Jargon Without ContextLOW
Why it hurts
- Nonâtechnical recruiters may miss the relevance
- ATS may flag uncommon acronyms
- Readers lose sight of business impact
How to fix
- Pair each technical term with a business outcome (e.g., "Implemented SMED, cutting changeover time by 30%")
- Limit acronyms; spell them out on first use
â Before
Utilized SMED, TPM, and JIT to streamline processes.
â After
Implemented SingleâMinute Exchange of Die (SMED) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), cutting changeover time by 30% and improving equipment uptime by 12%.
ATS Tip
Include both the acronym and full phrase to capture varied keyword searches.
Detection Rules
Acronym appears without definition
Technical term not followed by a result
Resumly Tip
Explain the why â every tool should tie back to a measurable benefit.
Poor Layout Causing ATS Parsing ErrorsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Headers like "My Skills" arenât recognized by most ATS
- Complex tables or graphics are stripped, losing content
- Resume may be rejected before human review
How to fix
- Use standard headings (Professional Experience, Core Competencies)
- Avoid tables, text boxes, and images; use simple bullet points
- Save as a leftâaligned, singleâcolumn PDF or DOCX
â Before
Skills | Experience --- ⢠Kaizen ⢠5S
â After
Core Competencies ⢠Kaizen implementation ⢠5S workplace organization
ATS Tip
Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri) and 11â12pt size; keep line spacing consistent.
Detection Rules
Presence of custom section titles
Use of tables or graphics
Resumly Tip
A clean, ATSâsafe layout ensures every keyword is read.
Neglecting ContinuousâImprovement AchievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers look for proven improvement track records
- Resume lacks evidence of lean mindset
- Missed opportunity to differentiate from other candidates
How to fix
- Create a dedicated bullet list of Kaizen projects with results
- Highlight certifications (Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, etc.)
- Show progression of responsibility over time
â Before
Worked on various manufacturing projects.
â After
Led 8 Kaizen projects delivering $250K annual cost savings; earned Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification in 2022.
ATS Tip
Include certification names and dates; they are highâvalue keywords for lean roles.
Detection Rules
No mention of Kaizen, cost savings, or certifications
Resumly Tip
Showcase continuousâimprovement wins to prove you live the lean philosophy.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications
Naming: FirstName_LastName_LeanSpecialist
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Tailor the Professional Summary to lean manufacturing goals
- Insert at least three quantifiable lean metrics
- Use standard headings and avoid tables
- Include Lean Six Sigma or related certifications
- Match jobâspecific keywords from the posting
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo
Keyword Strategy: Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, Cycle Time Reduction, OEE, Takt Time, SMED, TPM
Heading Format: Use conventional headings like Professional Experience, Core Competencies, Education
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Lean Manufacturing resume text below
- Add quantifiable results to every achievement
- Replace generic titles with precise leanâfocused titles
- Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
- Insert highâimpact lean keywords
- Reformat into a clean, ATSâfriendly layout
Ready to transform your Lean Manufacturing resume into an interviewâgetting machine?
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