RESUME MISTAKES
Navigate Your Resume to Success
Identify and correct the most common ship captain resume errors.
How This Page Helps
Help ship captains create a compelling, ATS‑friendly resume that showcases leadership, certifications, and voyage achievements.
Spot critical errors that keep hiring managers sailing past you
Learn how to quantify voyage metrics
Ensure all mandatory maritime certifications are highlighted
Optimize formatting for ATS and human readers
Craft powerful leadership statements for deck and bridge experience
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing STCW and other mandatory certificationsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t verify compliance
- ATS may filter out non‑certified candidates
How to fix
- Create a dedicated Certifications section
- List each certification with issuing authority and expiration date
❌ Before
Experience: 10 years commanding vessels
✓ After
Certifications: STCW 95 (Basic Safety), Advanced Shipboard Safety (expires 2026)
ATS Tip
Use exact certification names as keywords
Detection Rules
No Certifications heading
Certification names not present
Resumly Tip
Add a Certifications block right after the Summary to catch both ATS and recruiters.
Vague responsibility statementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Fails to demonstrate leadership impact
- Reduces perceived scale of operations
How to fix
- Start bullet points with strong action verbs
- Quantify crew size, tonnage, routes, and safety record
❌ Before
Managed ship operations.
✓ After
Led a crew of 25 on a 150,000‑ton vessel across 12 international routes, achieving zero safety incidents over 24 months.
ATS Tip
Include keywords like 'crew management', 'voyage planning', 'safety compliance'.
Detection Rules
Bullet points lack numbers
Generic verbs only
Resumly Tip
Replace generic verbs with measurable results.
Incorrect date and location formattingLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misinterpret dates
- Hiring managers struggle to follow career timeline
How to fix
- Use MM/YYYY format for dates
- List port of registry or region for each role
❌ Before
Captain – Oceanic Lines, 2018‑2022
✓ After
Captain – Oceanic Lines, 06/2018 – 09/2022, Singapore
ATS Tip
Standardized date format improves parsing.
Detection Rules
Date range not in MM/YYYY
Location missing after company name
Resumly Tip
Adopt consistent MM/YYYY and include city/port.
Overly technical jargon not understood by HRMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- HR may skip your resume
- ATS may not map uncommon abbreviations
How to fix
- Balance technical terms with plain language
- Spell out acronyms on first use
❌ Before
Performed ECDIS, GMDSS, and IMO compliance checks.
✓ After
Conducted Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), and International Maritime Organization (IMO) compliance inspections.
ATS Tip
Include both acronym and full term for keyword matching.
Detection Rules
Acronyms without definition
Technical terms without context
Resumly Tip
Define each acronym at first mention.
Missing quantifiable safety achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Safety record is a key metric for captains
- Lack of numbers makes impact unclear
How to fix
- Add safety statistics, audit scores, incident‑free voyages
❌ Before
Maintained vessel safety standards.
✓ After
Achieved 100% compliance in three consecutive ISM audits and logged 1,800 safe sailing hours with zero reportable incidents.
ATS Tip
Use numbers and keywords like 'ISM audit', 'incident‑free'.
Detection Rules
Safety statements lack numbers
No audit results mentioned
Resumly Tip
Highlight safety metrics in a separate Achievement bullet.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Header, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Certifications, Professional Experience, Education, Awards & Recognitions
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Captain.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages, max 1,200 words
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, Country (Port)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a clear professional summary
- List all maritime certifications with dates
- Quantify crew size, vessel tonnage, and voyage metrics
- Use action verbs and measurable results
- Format dates as MM/YYYY
- Proofread for spelling and maritime terminology
- Save as PDF with a professional file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: Taleo, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday
Keyword Strategy: captain, vessel command, STCW, crew management, voyage planning, safety compliance, ISM audit
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Certifications' to match ATS parsers.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current ship captain resume text
- Standardize date format
- Add missing certifications section
- Convert vague bullets into quantified statements
- Define all acronyms
- Reformat layout for ATS readability
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