RESUME MISTAKES
Avoid These Midwife Resume Mistakes
Turn common slip‑ups into hiring opportunities with proven fixes.
How This Page Helps
Help midwives identify and correct resume mistakes that keep them from landing their next position.
Spot hidden ATS blockers
Learn industry‑specific wording
See before‑and‑after examples
Apply a step‑by‑step checklist
Align your resume with top hospital systems
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic nursing language instead of midwifery‑specific termsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers may think you lack specialized experience
- ATS may not match midwifery keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic terms with midwifery verbs like 'conducted prenatal assessments'
- Add certifications such as 'Certified Nurse‑Midwife (CNM)'
❌ Before
Provided patient care in labor and delivery.
✓ After
Conducted comprehensive prenatal assessments and facilitated natural births as a Certified Nurse‑Midwife.
ATS Tip
Include keywords from the job posting such as 'midwifery', 'birth planning', 'postpartum care'.
Detection Rules
Look for words like 'nurse' without 'midwife'
Missing CNM certification
Resumly Tip
Our parser flags generic nursing phrases and suggests midwifery alternatives.
Listing duties instead of achievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Doesn't demonstrate impact
- ATS may overlook quantifiable results
How to fix
- Add metrics (e.g., number of deliveries)
- Show outcomes (e.g., reduced C‑section rate)
❌ Before
Assisted with deliveries and documented patient charts.
✓ After
Assisted with 150+ deliveries, contributing to a 12% reduction in C‑section rates through evidence‑based practices.
ATS Tip
Start bullet points with action verbs and include numbers.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with 'Assisted', 'Provided' without results
Resumly Tip
Our tool highlights bullets missing quantifiable data.
Incorrect date format causing parsing errorsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misread employment dates
- Creates gaps that raise questions
How to fix
- Use consistent month‑year format (MM/YYYY)
- Align dates with job timeline
❌ Before
Jan 2020 – Present
✓ After
01/2020 – Present
ATS Tip
MM/YYYY is universally recognized by ATS.
Detection Rules
Dates not in MM/YYYY
Mixed formats
Resumly Tip
Resumly checks date consistency and suggests standard format.
Omitting licensure and certification detailsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Licensure is mandatory for midwives
- ATS may filter out candidates without required credentials
How to fix
- Create a dedicated 'Licensure & Certifications' section
- List state license number and expiration
❌ Before
Certified Nurse‑Midwife
✓ After
Certified Nurse‑Midwife (CNM), State License #123456, Expires 06/2026
ATS Tip
Place certifications near the top of the resume.
Detection Rules
No certification section
Missing expiration dates
Resumly Tip
Our scanner ensures all required credentials are captured.
Using an unprofessional email addressMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Creates a poor first impression
- ATS may flag non‑standard email formats
How to fix
- Create a simple email with your name (e.g., jane.doe@email.com)
- Avoid nicknames or numbers unrelated to your name
❌ Before
midwife_gal123@aol.com
✓ After
jane.doe@email.com
ATS Tip
Use a professional domain; Gmail or your own domain works best.
Detection Rules
Email contains slang, numbers, or unrelated words
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags email addresses that don't follow professional conventions.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Licensure & Certifications, Clinical Experience, Education, Professional Affiliations, Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Midwife_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages (max 2 pages for midwives with >5 years experience)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional email address
- Include CNM certification and license number
- Quantify clinical achievements
- Use midwifery‑specific keywords
- Format dates as MM/YYYY
- Keep resume to 1‑2 pages
- Save as PDF with proper file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Taleo, Workday, Greenhouse, Jobvite
Keyword Strategy: midwife, certified nurse‑midwife, prenatal care, labor support, birth plan, postpartum care, lactation consulting
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Summary', 'Clinical Experience', 'Licensure & Certifications' to ensure ATS parses sections correctly.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current midwife resume text
- Standardize date format
- Replace generic nursing terms with midwifery language
- Add quantifiable results
- Insert licensure section
- Optimize for ATS keywords
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