RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Inspection Jobs to a Flawed Resume
Identify and correct the most common building inspector resume mistakes in minutes.
How This Page Helps
This page helps building inspectors recognize frequent resume pitfalls, understand why they hurt their job prospects, and apply proven fixes to create a hiringâready document.
Spot the 5 most damaging resume errors for building inspectors
Learn why each mistake reduces ATS scores and recruiter interest
Get stepâbyâstep rewrite examples that turn weaknesses into strengths
Download a readyâtoâuse checklist and miniâfix workshop
Boost your chances of landing a building inspection role today
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using a Generic Job TitleHIGH
Why it hurts
- Recruiters canât quickly see your specialization
- ATS may not match industryâspecific keywords
- Reduces perceived expertise in building codes
How to fix
- Replace "Inspector" with "Building Inspector" or "Residential Building Inspector"
- Add a subtitle that includes key certifications (e.g., ICC, OSHA)
- Align the title with the job postingâs wording
â Before
Inspector at XYZ Corp
â After
Building Inspector â Residential (ICC Certified) at XYZ Corp
ATS Tip
Match the exact title used in the posting; include âBuilding Inspectorâ as a keyword.
Detection Rules
title contains only "Inspector"
absence of certification abbreviations
Resumly Tip
Use precise titles â they signal relevance to both humans and bots.
Listing Duties Instead of AchievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Provides no evidence of impact
- Makes the resume look like a job description
- ATS favors quantifiable results
How to fix
- Start each bullet with an action verb and a measurable outcome
- Show how many inspections you completed per month
- Highlight cost savings, safety improvements, or compliance rates
â Before
- Conducted building inspections for commercial properties.
â After
- Performed 45 commercial building inspections per month, identifying 12 code violations and reducing reâinspection costs by 18%.
ATS Tip
Include numbers and keywords like âcode violationsâ and âcompliance rate.â
Detection Rules
bullets begin with verbs like "Conducted" without metrics
Resumly Tip
Quantify your work â numbers catch the eye of ATS and hiring managers.
Omitting Certifications and LicensesHIGH
Why it hurts
- Certifications are often mandatory for inspection roles
- ATS filters out resumes missing required credentials
- Hiring managers may assume youâre unqualified
How to fix
- Create a dedicated "Certifications" section near the top
- List ICC, OSHA 30âhour, State Building Inspector License, etc.
- Include expiration dates if applicable
â Before
Work Experience section only
â After
Certifications - ICC Certified Building Inspector (2022âPresent) - OSHA 30âHour Construction Safety (2021) - State Building Inspector License, CA (2020â2025)
ATS Tip
Use exact certification names; they are common keyword filters.
Detection Rules
no "Certifications" heading
absence of known certification acronyms
Resumly Tip
A clear certifications block instantly boosts credibility and ATS match.
Poor Formatting and Unreadable LayoutMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to parse sections
- Recruiters spend less than 10 seconds scanning
- Important info can be missed
How to fix
- Use standard headings (Professional Summary, Certifications, Work Experience)
- Stick to a single clean font (e.g., Arial 11pt)
- Avoid tables, graphics, and excessive whitespace
â Before
Resume with twoâcolumn table and shaded boxes
â After
Singleâcolumn, leftâaligned layout with bold headings and bullet points
ATS Tip
Save as PDF or DOCX; ensure headings are plain text, not images.
Detection Rules
presence of tables or columns
use of shaded text boxes
Resumly Tip
A simple, ATSâfriendly layout ensures every keyword is read.
Missing Core Keywords for Building InspectionHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS scores drop dramatically without relevant terms
- Resume appears generic to recruiters
- You may be filtered out before human review
How to fix
- Review job ads and extract terms like âbuilding code compliance,â âsafety audits,â âpermit issuance,â âdefect identification,â âconstruction standardsâ
- Integrate these keywords naturally throughout summary and experience bullets
â Before
Responsible for inspecting structures.
â After
Ensured building code compliance for 120+ structures, conducting safety audits and issuing permits in accordance with local construction standards.
ATS Tip
Place top keywords in the Professional Summary and repeat in bullet points.
Detection Rules
absence of words such as "code compliance" or "permit issuance"
Resumly Tip
Strategic keyword placement bridges the gap between ATS and recruiter expectations.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Certifications, Work Experience, Education, Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_BuildingInspector.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a precise title like "Building Inspector"
- Add a dedicated Certifications section with ICC, OSHA, state license
- Quantify inspection results (e.g., number of inspections, compliance rate)
- Use ATSâfriendly headings and simple layout
- Incorporate core keywords from the job posting
- Proofread for spelling, grammar, and consistent date format
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Lever
Keyword Strategy: building code compliance, safety audits, inspection reports, permit issuance, defect identification, construction standards, ICC certified
Heading Format: Use standard headings: Professional Summary, Certifications, Work Experience, Education, Skills
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text into the box below
- Replace generic titles with specific buildingâinspection titles
- Add measurable results to every experience bullet
- Insert a Certifications section with proper abbreviations
- Swap any tables or graphics for plain bullet points
- Embed top industry keywords naturally
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