RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Top Talent to Your Own Resume
Identify and correct the critical mistakes that keep hiring managers from noticing your expertise.
How This Page Helps
Help Talent Acquisition Specialists craft a high‑impact resume that passes ATS filters and showcases recruiting expertise.
Spot hidden ATS blockers
Rewrite vague achievements into measurable results
Align keywords with hiring manager expectations
Optimize layout for readability
Avoid common formatting pitfalls
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Generic Objective StatementMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Doesn't convey specific recruiting value
- Gets filtered out by ATS lacking keywords
How to fix
- Replace with a concise professional summary
- Highlight years of experience and key recruiting metrics
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company.
✓ After
Professional Summary: Talent Acquisition Specialist with 5+ years driving full‑cycle hiring for tech startups, reducing time‑to‑fill by 30% and improving quality‑of‑hire scores.
ATS Tip
Include role‑specific keywords like 'full‑cycle recruiting', 'candidate sourcing', 'ATS management'.
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'Objective'
Length under 50 words
Lacks industry keywords
Resumly Tip
Swap the Objective for a data‑driven summary to capture attention instantly.
Missing Quantifiable MetricsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can't gauge impact
- ATS may miss performance keywords
How to fix
- Add numbers: % increase, time saved, volume hired
❌ Before
Managed recruitment for multiple departments.
✓ After
Managed end‑to‑end recruitment for 8 departments, filling 120 positions in 2023, cutting average time‑to‑fill from 45 to 28 days.
ATS Tip
Use numbers and action verbs; include terms like 'filled', 'reduced', 'increased'.
Detection Rules
No digits in bullet points
Bullets start with generic verbs only
Resumly Tip
Quantify every achievement; aim for at least one metric per role.
Improper File Format & NamingLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may not parse .doc files
- Hiring manager may overlook poorly named file
How to fix
- Save as PDF/A
- Name file as FirstLast_TalentAcquisition_Specialist.pdf
❌ Before
Resume.docx
✓ After
JaneDoe_TalentAcquisitionSpecialist.pdf
ATS Tip
PDF preserves formatting and is universally readable.
Detection Rules
File extension not .pdf
File name contains spaces or generic terms
Resumly Tip
Use the recommended naming convention to ensure your resume is opened promptly.
Overly Complex LayoutHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS can't read tables or graphics
- Human readers lose focus
How to fix
- Use simple headings, bullet points, single column
- Avoid tables, text boxes, images
❌ Before
Resume with two‑column table for skills.
✓ After
Resume with clean left‑aligned headings and bullet lists.
ATS Tip
Stick to standard fonts (Arial, Calibri) and 10‑12 pt size.
Detection Rules
Contains HTML tags
Contains tables or columns
Resumly Tip
Simplify layout; Resumly’s template ensures ATS‑friendly structure.
Lack of Relevant KeywordsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS keyword matching fails
- Recruiter thinks you lack required skills
How to fix
- Research job descriptions, embed keywords like 'candidate sourcing', 'pipeline development', 'diversity hiring'
❌ Before
Responsible for hiring.
✓ After
Led candidate sourcing and pipeline development, achieving 40% increase in diverse hires.
ATS Tip
Mirror exact phrasing from the posting.
Detection Rules
Keyword density below 2% for core terms
Resumly Tip
Resumly’s keyword analyzer highlights missing terms.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstLast_TalentAcquisitionSpecialist.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages for mid‑level specialists, up to 3 pages for senior roles
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (Remote optional)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional summary instead of an objective
- Add at least one quantifiable metric per role
- Save the file as PDF/A with the correct naming convention
- Keep the layout single‑column with standard fonts
- Include core recruiting keywords from the job posting
- List core competencies as a separate section
- Show education and certifications relevant to talent acquisition
- Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, SmartRecruiters
Keyword Strategy: Use terms like 'full‑cycle recruiting', 'candidate pipeline', 'offer negotiation', 'ATS management', 'diversity hiring'
Heading Format: Standard headings such as 'Professional Experience' and 'Core Competencies' are recognized by most ATS.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text or upload a file
- Convert objective to summary
- Add quantifiable metrics
- Standardize headings
- Apply ATS‑friendly formatting
- Insert targeted keywords
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