RESUME MISTAKES
Stitch Up a Winning Resume
Avoid the pitfalls that keep talented tailors from getting hired
How This Page Helps
Help professional tailors identify and correct resume mistakes that hinder hiring opportunities.
Identify hidden ATS blockers
Learn industry‑specific wording
See before‑and‑after resume snippets
Apply a step‑by‑step formatting checklist
Get a free downloadable fix workshop
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic job titles instead of specific tailoring rolesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t quickly see your specialty
- ATS may miss niche keywords
- Reduces perceived expertise
How to fix
- Replace vague titles like “Sewing Assistant” with precise roles such as “Custom Tailor” or “Alterations Specialist”
- Add a brief qualifier that highlights the type of garments you work on
❌ Before
Sewing Assistant at XYZ Boutique
✓ After
Custom Tailor – Bespoke Suits & Formalwear at XYZ Boutique
ATS Tip
Include exact titles that match job postings, e.g., “Tailor – Men's Formalwear”
Detection Rules
title contains generic terms like assistant, worker, staff
Resumly Tip
Swap generic titles for industry‑specific ones to boost both ATS matches and recruiter interest.
Listing duties without quantifying achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Numbers give hiring managers context
- ATS favors measurable results
- Makes your impact vague
How to fix
- Add metrics such as number of garments altered per week, revenue generated, or client satisfaction scores
- Show before‑and‑after improvements
❌ Before
Responsible for altering customer garments and maintaining equipment.
✓ After
Altered 150+ customer garments weekly, achieving a 98% satisfaction rating and increasing repeat business by 22%.
ATS Tip
Use action verbs followed by numbers (e.g., “Altered 150+ garments monthly”)
Detection Rules
bullet points lack numbers or percentages
Resumly Tip
Quantify every key responsibility to demonstrate tangible value.
Omitting key technical skills and fabric knowledgeHIGH
Why it hurts
- Recruiters look for specific tailoring competencies
- ATS scans for skill keywords
- You appear less qualified
How to fix
- Create a dedicated “Core Skills” section
- List fabric types, pattern drafting software, stitching techniques, and equipment you master
❌ Before
Skills: Sewing, Customer Service
✓ After
Core Skills: Pattern Drafting, Fabric Selection (silk, wool, denim), Tailor‑Made Alterations, Industrial Sewing Machines, CAD for Garment Design
ATS Tip
Include high‑impact keywords like “pattern drafting”, “fabric selection”, “custom alterations”
Detection Rules
skills section missing industry‑specific terms
Resumly Tip
Add a targeted skills block with the exact terminology employers search for.
Inconsistent formatting and unclear section headingsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Makes the resume hard to scan
- ATS may misinterpret sections
- Looks unprofessional
How to fix
- Use a clean, single‑font layout
- Standardize headings (Professional Summary, Work Experience, Skills)
- Align dates and locations uniformly
❌ Before
Work Experience Tailor – ABC Co. Jan 2020 – Present - ... Skills: ...
✓ After
Work Experience Tailor – ABC Co. Jan 2020 – Present | New York, NY - ... Core Skills - ...
ATS Tip
Stick to common headings; avoid creative titles like “My Journey”
Detection Rules
multiple fonts or heading styles detected
Resumly Tip
Adopt a uniform template with standard headings to improve readability and ATS parsing.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Skills, Work Experience, Education, Certifications
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Tailor_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional email address
- Include a headline with “Tailor” and specialty
- Add measurable results for each role
- List fabric and pattern‑making skills
- Use standard headings and consistent fonts
- Save as PDF with the naming convention
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Lever
Keyword Strategy: custom tailoring, garment construction, pattern drafting, fabric selection, alterations, client fittings
Heading Format: Use standard headings like Professional Summary, Work Experience, Skills
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text below
- Replace generic titles with specific tailoring roles
- Add measurable results to each bullet
- Insert industry‑specific keywords
- Standardize fonts, headings, and date format
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