RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Lighting Jobs to a Flawed Resume
Identify and fix the most common resume mistakes for lighting technicians and get noticed by hiring managers and ATS.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps lighting technicians spot and correct resume errors that prevent them from getting hired, ensuring their experience shines through both human reviewers and applicant tracking systems.
Learn the top 5 resume pitfalls for lighting techs
See before-and-after examples
Get ATS-friendly formatting tips
Download a quick-fix worksheet
Boost your interview call-back rate
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic job titlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t tell what you actually did
- ATS may not match industry keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with specific ones like 'Stage Lighting Technician' or 'Concert Lighting Operator'
- Add the equipment you operated (e.g., ETC Ion, GrandMA2)
❌ Before
Lighting Technician, XYZ Productions
✓ After
Stage Lighting Technician – ETC Ion & GrandMA2 Operator, XYZ Productions
ATS Tip
Include exact equipment names that appear in job postings
Detection Rules
title contains 'Technician' without qualifier
no equipment keywords present
Resumly Tip
Our parser flags vague titles and suggests industry-standard alternatives.
Listing duties instead of achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Doesn’t demonstrate impact
- ATS looks for quantifiable results
How to fix
- Turn tasks into results with numbers (e.g., 'Programmed lighting cues for 30-song set, reducing changeover time by 15%')
- Highlight awards or recognitions
❌ Before
Responsible for setting up lighting rigs and operating consoles.
✓ After
Programmed and operated lighting rigs for 20-song concerts, cutting changeover time by 15% and receiving ‘Best Tech Crew’ award.
ATS Tip
Start bullet points with action verbs and include measurable metrics.
Detection Rules
bullet points start with 'Responsible for' or 'Assisted with'
no numbers present
Resumly Tip
Resumly suggests power-verb rewrites and adds metric suggestions.
Omitting relevant certifications and safety trainingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Many venues require certified electricians or rigging safety
- ATS may filter for certifications like 'ETCP' or 'Rigger Certified'
How to fix
- Create a dedicated Certifications section
- List ETCP, OSHA 10‑hour, Rigging Safety, DMX Programming courses
❌ Before
Experience with lighting equipment.
✓ After
Certifications: ETCP Stage Lighting, OSHA 10‑Hour Construction Safety, Rigging Safety Certified (RSC)
ATS Tip
Place certifications near the top where ATS scans for keywords.
Detection Rules
no Certifications heading
no known certification names
Resumly Tip
Our tool auto-detects missing certification keywords and prompts you to add them.
Using inconsistent date formatsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misread dates, causing timeline gaps
- Hiring managers may think you’re unprofessional
How to fix
- Standardize to 'MMM YYYY' (e.g., Jan 2022 – Present')
- Use the same format for all entries
❌ Before
June 2020 – 2022
✓ After
Jun 2020 – Dec 2022
ATS Tip
Consistent dates improve parsing accuracy.
Detection Rules
mixed month formats
full year only without month
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights date inconsistencies and auto-formats them.
Overloading the resume with technical jargon without contextLOW
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers outside the field may not understand
- ATS may ignore uncommon acronyms
How to fix
- Explain each tool briefly or pair with outcome
- Balance technical terms with plain language
❌ Before
Proficient in DMX, HTP, and PLC.
✓ After
Programmed DMX lighting cues using HTP consoles, resulting in seamless scene transitions.
ATS Tip
Include both the acronym and the full term for better keyword matching.
Detection Rules
list of acronyms without explanation
no outcome attached
Resumly Tip
Our AI suggests adding context to technical terms.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Key Skills, Work Experience, Certifications, Education, Equipment Proficiency
Naming: FirstName_LastName_LightingTechnician_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages for most lighting tech roles; up to 3 pages if you have extensive touring experience
Date Format: MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State (or Country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use specific job titles
- Show measurable achievements
- Include relevant certifications
- Standardize dates
- Add equipment proficiency
- Keep formatting clean and ATS‑friendly
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Stage Lighting, Concert Lighting, ETC Ion, GrandMA2, DMX Programming, ETCP Certified, OSHA Safety
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Summary', 'Work Experience', 'Certifications' to match ATS expectations.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Lighting Technician resume text
- Replace generic titles with specific ones
- Convert duty statements into achievement bullets with metrics
- Add a Certifications section
- Standardize all dates to MMM YYYY
- Insert equipment proficiency list
Ready to transform your lighting tech resume? Get our free checklist now!
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