RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Resume Mistakes Holding Back Your Chemical Technician Career
Identify and correct the most common errors to get noticed by hiring managers and ATS.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps Chemical Technicians spot and correct resume mistakes that reduce interview chances, ensuring a polished, ATS‑friendly document.
Understand why each mistake hurts your candidacy
Step‑by‑step fixes with real before‑and‑after examples
ATS optimization tips for popular systems
Formatting standards specific to lab and manufacturing roles
Quick checklist to audit your own resume
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing industry‑specific keywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS cannot match your resume to the job posting
- Hiring managers assume you lack core competencies
- Reduces visibility in keyword searches
How to fix
- Research the job description for key terms
- Add at least five relevant technical keywords (e.g., HPLC, SOP, GLP, QA/QC, MSDS)
- Integrate keywords naturally within bullet points
❌ Before
Performed routine lab tests and recorded results.
✓ After
Performed routine HPLC analyses, ensured compliance with SOPs and GLP, and documented results in QA/QC reports.
ATS Tip
Include core technical terms early in the Professional Summary and bullet points to boost match rate.
Detection Rules
Keyword count <5
No mention of SOP or GLP
Resumly Tip
Resumly scans for 30+ Chemical Technician keywords and highlights gaps.
Listing duties instead of achievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Fails to demonstrate impact
- Makes you blend in with other applicants
- Provides no evidence of value to employers
How to fix
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb
- Quantify results (percentages, time saved, cost reduced)
- Show how your work improved safety or efficiency
❌ Before
Responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment.
✓ After
Maintained laboratory equipment, reducing downtime by 20% through preventive maintenance schedules.
ATS Tip
Use measurable metrics; ATS often rewards numbers in bullet points.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with generic verbs like "Responsible for"
No numbers present
Resumly Tip
Resumly suggests action verbs and prompts you to add quantifiable data.
Inconsistent or vague date formattingLOW
Why it hurts
- Confuses recruiters about employment timeline
- ATS may misread dates and drop entries
- Appears unprofessional
How to fix
- Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY
- List months only when the role lasted less than a year
- Ensure chronological order from most recent
❌ Before
June 2020 – 2022
✓ After
06/2020 – 08/2022
ATS Tip
Consistent MM/YYYY format is reliably parsed by most ATS platforms.
Detection Rules
Date contains only month name
Mixed formats like "June 2020 – 2022"
Resumly Tip
Resumly auto‑formats dates to MM/YYYY across the document.
Including unrelated work experienceMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Dilutes relevance for lab hiring managers
- Consumes valuable space on a 1‑2 page resume
- ATS may lower relevance score
How to fix
- Keep only roles that showcase transferable lab skills
- Create a brief "Additional Experience" section for unrelated jobs
- Highlight any technical aspects even in unrelated roles
❌ Before
Barista, Coffee Shop – 2018‑2020
✓ After
Customer Service Associate, Coffee Shop – 2018‑2020 (Managed inventory, performed daily equipment calibration)
ATS Tip
Focus the Professional Experience section on positions with lab, safety, or analytical responsibilities.
Detection Rules
Job titles unrelated to chemistry appear in top experience section
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags non‑technical roles and suggests repositioning or trimming.
Poor file naming and format choiceLOW
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers may overlook a file they can’t open
- ATS may reject unsupported formats
- Creates a negative first impression
How to fix
- Save as PDF for universal compatibility
- Name the file: FirstName_LastName_ChemicalTechnician_Resume.pdf
- Avoid headers/footers that hide content
❌ Before
resume.doc
✓ After
JaneDoe_ChemicalTechnician_Resume.pdf
ATS Tip
PDF preserves layout and is accepted by 95% of ATS platforms.
Detection Rules
File extension not PDF or DOCX
File name contains spaces or generic terms
Resumly Tip
Resumly offers one‑click export with the correct naming convention.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_ChemicalTechnician_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages, 400‑800 words
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear, professional header with contact info
- Add a 2‑sentence summary highlighting lab experience
- Incorporate at least 5 relevant keywords (e.g., HPLC, SOP, GLP, QA/QC, MSDS)
- Show measurable achievements (e.g., reduced assay time by 15%)
- Format dates as MM/YYYY
- Save as PDF with proper file name
- Proofread for spelling and unit consistency
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Taleo, Workday, Greenhouse
Keyword Strategy: Focus on analytical techniques, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Technical Skills'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste the Experience section of your resume
- Add quantifiable results
- Replace generic duties with action verbs
- Insert industry keywords
- Standardize date format
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