RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Proofreading Your Resume for Errors—Let Us Fix Them
Learn the top resume pitfalls that keep proofreaders from landing their dream jobs and how to correct each one.
How This Page Helps
Help proofreaders identify and correct resume mistakes that undermine their credibility and reduce ATS compatibility.
Spot hidden spelling and grammar slips
Align your resume with ATS expectations
Showcase measurable editing achievements
Use industry‑standard terminology
Structure your resume for quick scanning
Avoid over‑formatting that confuses parsers
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Spelling and Grammar Errors in Your Own ResumeHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers assume you can't catch basic errors
- ATS may flag misspelled keywords
- Reduces perceived attention to detail
How to fix
- Run a spell‑check and grammar review
- Read the resume aloud or backward
- Use a professional proofreader or Resumly’s AI checker
❌ Before
exeperience: proofread 500+ documents
✓ After
experience: proofread 500+ documents
ATS Tip
Ensure all keywords are spelled correctly; a typo can cause the ATS to miss them.
Detection Rules
Contains misspelled words in headings or bullet points
Repeated grammar mistakes
Resumly Tip
Our AI highlights every spelling/grammar issue in real time.
Vague, Unquantified AchievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Fails to demonstrate impact
- ATS looks for numbers to match keyword filters
- Hiring managers can’t gauge your productivity
How to fix
- Add specific metrics (e.g., pages edited, error‑rate reduction)
- Use action verbs followed by numbers
- Tie results to business outcomes
❌ Before
Edited manuscripts and improved quality
✓ After
Edited 120 manuscripts per month, reducing client error rate by 22%
ATS Tip
Include numeric values; many ATS parse numbers as part of keyword relevance.
Detection Rules
Bullet points lack digits or percentages
No mention of volume or results
Resumly Tip
Our tool suggests quantifiable alternatives for each bullet.
Non‑Standard Section HeadingsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may not map content to the correct category
- Recruiters skim for familiar headings
- Can cause important info to be missed
How to fix
- Use conventional headings: Professional Summary, Experience, Education, Skills
- Avoid creative titles like "My Story" or "What I Do"
❌ Before
My Editing Journey
✓ After
Professional Experience
ATS Tip
Stick to standard headings; most ATS are programmed to recognize them.
Detection Rules
Heading does not match a list of common resume headings
Resumly Tip
Resumly auto‑renames unconventional headings to ATS‑friendly terms.
Over‑use of Fancy FormattingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Complex tables or graphics can break ATS parsing
- Increases file size and load time
- May appear unprofessional to hiring managers
How to fix
- Use simple bullet points and clean fonts
- Limit use of colors to black and dark gray
- Save as PDF or DOCX without embedded images
❌ Before
<table><tr><td>…</td></tr></table>
✓ After
- Proofread marketing copy for 10+ clients, achieving 98% accuracy
ATS Tip
Plain text and standard fonts ensure all content is read by the ATS.
Detection Rules
Presence of HTML tags or embedded images
Use of non‑standard fonts
Resumly Tip
Our formatter strips unsupported styles while preserving readability.
Missing Proofreading‑Specific KeywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS filters for role‑specific terms
- Recruiters search for industry language
- Your resume may be skipped entirely
How to fix
- Incorporate keywords like "copyediting", "style guide", "AP style", "proofreading", "error detection"
- Mirror language from the job description
❌ Before
Reviewed documents for accuracy
✓ After
Proofread and copyedited client documents using AP style, achieving 99% error‑free rate
ATS Tip
Match exact keyword phrasing from the posting; plural vs singular matters.
Detection Rules
Keyword list from job posting not found in resume
Resumly Tip
Keyword optimizer highlights missing terms and suggests placements.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Proofreader_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (or Country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear, professional font (e.g., Calibri 11)
- Include a concise professional summary with key proofreader skills
- List achievements with numbers and percentages
- Use standard headings and avoid decorative graphics
- Proofread your resume twice—once with software, once manually
- Save as PDF with the proper naming convention
- Test the file with an ATS parser before sending
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: proofreading, copyediting, style guide, AP style, editorial workflow, attention to detail, error detection
Heading Format: Use standard headings like Professional Summary, Experience, Education
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current proofreader resume text below
- Correct spelling and grammar errors
- Standardize verb tense and voice
- Add measurable results to each bullet
- Replace vague language with industry keywords
- Reformat headings for ATS compatibility
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