RESUME MISTAKES
Turn Your Real Estate Resume Into a Deal-Closing Document
Identify and fix the most common resume pitfalls that keep you from landing top brokerages.
How This Page Helps
Help real estate agents create error‑free, high‑impact resumes that pass ATS and impress hiring managers.
Spot the most damaging resume errors specific to real estate sales
Learn actionable fixes that showcase licensure and transaction success
Align your format with industry‑standard ATS requirements
Create a compelling narrative that differentiates you from other agents
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing Licensure DetailsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t verify you’re legally qualified
- ATS filters often require a license keyword
- Lack of licensure suggests incomplete professionalism
How to fix
- Add a dedicated Licensure section near the top
- List state, license number, and expiration date
- Use the exact wording “Real Estate License – State”
❌ Before
John Doe Sales Professional Phone: 555‑1234
✓ After
John Doe Licensed Real Estate Agent – CA, License #1234567 (Expires 06/2026) Phone: 555‑1234
ATS Tip
Include the keyword “Real Estate License” and the state abbreviation in a separate line
Detection Rules
No line containing "License" or "Licensure"
Missing state abbreviation after license
Resumly Tip
Add a Licensure section with state, license number, and expiration date to satisfy both recruiters and ATS.
Using Generic Sales Metrics Instead of Real Estate Specific NumbersHIGH
Why it hurts
- Real estate performance is measured by transactions and volume, not just revenue
- Hiring managers look for property‑specific achievements
- ATS may miss generic terms like “sales growth” without real‑estate context
How to fix
- Replace “Increased sales by 30%” with “Closed 25 residential transactions totaling $12M”
- Highlight average days on market, list‑to‑sale ratio, and commission earned
- Use industry‑standard metrics such as GCI (Gross Commission Income)
❌ Before
- Increased sales by 30% YoY - Exceeded revenue targets
✓ After
- Closed 25 residential transactions totaling $12M in GCI - Achieved 95% list‑to‑sale ratio, reducing average days on market from 45 to 28 days
ATS Tip
Include keywords like “transactions”, “GCI”, “list‑to‑sale ratio”, and “days on market”
Detection Rules
Metrics lack property terms
Bullet points contain generic "sales" without real‑estate qualifiers
Resumly Tip
Swap generic sales figures for real‑estate specific metrics to demonstrate relevant expertise.
Overloading with Real Estate Jargon Without ContextMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Recruiters may not understand acronyms like “MLS” or “CMA” without explanation
- ATS can misinterpret unknown abbreviations
- Excessive jargon clutters readability
How to fix
- Spell out acronyms on first use (e.g., Multiple Listing Service (MLS))
- Provide brief context for specialized terms
- Limit jargon to essential industry terms
❌ Before
- Managed MLS listings and performed CMA analyses
✓ After
- Managed Multiple Listing Service (MLS) property listings and performed Comparative Market Analyses (CMA) to price homes accurately
ATS Tip
Use full terms first, then include the acronym in parentheses for ATS recognition
Detection Rules
Bullet points contain unexplained acronyms
Acronym appears without preceding definition
Resumly Tip
Introduce each acronym with its full form to keep both humans and ATS on the same page.
Inconsistent Formatting That Confuses ATSMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS parsers rely on predictable headings and date formats
- Inconsistent bullet styles or spacing cause data loss
- Hiring managers may view the resume as unprofessional
How to fix
- Use standard headings (Professional Summary, Licensure, Experience)
- Adopt a uniform bullet style (e.g., solid round bullets)
- Apply the same date format (MM/YYYY) throughout
❌ Before
Experience Jan 2020 – March 2022 - Sold homes Experience 2022/04 – Present - Managing listings
✓ After
Professional Experience Jan 2020 – Mar 2022 - Sold 18 homes, generating $4.2M GCI Professional Experience Apr 2022 – Present - Managing 30+ MLS listings across the Bay Area
ATS Tip
Keep headings simple and dates in MM/YYYY to ensure proper parsing
Detection Rules
Multiple heading styles
Dates not in MM/YYYY
Mixed bullet characters
Resumly Tip
Standardize headings, bullet points, and dates to improve ATS readability.
Not Tailoring Resume to Brokerage Type (Residential vs Commercial)LOW
Why it hurts
- Residential and commercial roles require different skill sets
- Hiring managers filter resumes based on relevant experience
- ATS keyword sets differ between brokerage specialties
How to fix
- Create separate bullet sections for residential and commercial achievements
- Highlight relevant certifications (e.g., CCIM for commercial)
- Use brokerage‑specific keywords
❌ Before
- Closed 40 transactions across various property types
✓ After
Residential Focus: - Closed 30 single‑family home sales totaling $15M Commercial Focus: - Negotiated lease agreements for 5 office spaces totaling $2.3M in annual rent
ATS Tip
Include brokerage‑specific keywords such as “residential sales”, “commercial leasing”, “CCIM”
Detection Rules
Bullet points mix residential and commercial without distinction
Missing specialty keywords
Resumly Tip
Separate residential and commercial experience to align with the target brokerage’s focus.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Licensure & Certifications, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Affiliations
Naming: FirstName_LastName_RealEstateAgent
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a clear Licensure section with state and number
- Show real‑estate specific metrics (transactions, GCI, days on market)
- Define any acronyms on first use
- Use standard headings and MM/YYYY dates
- Tailor experience to residential or commercial focus
- Proofread for spelling, grammar, and consistent formatting
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: Bullhorn, iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse
Keyword Strategy: Real Estate Agent, Licensed Realtor, Property Sales, Transaction Management, MLS, Negotiation, GCI, CMA, Residential Sales, Commercial Leasing
Heading Format: Use standard headings like Professional Summary, Licensure, Experience
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text
- Add missing licensure details
- Convert generic sales numbers to real‑estate metrics
- Standardize date and location formats
- Define acronyms and reduce jargon
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