RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Patients Before the Interview
Fix the hidden resume mistakes that keep hiring managers from seeing your chiropractic expertise.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps chiropractors identify and correct the most damaging resume mistakes, ensuring their credentials, patient‑care achievements, and chiropractic-specific skills shine through both human reviewers and ATS scanners.
Identify 5 high‑impact resume errors specific to chiropractic practice
Learn step‑by‑step fixes with real before‑and‑after examples
Get ATS‑friendly formatting tips for popular hiring platforms
Download a quick‑fix worksheet to rewrite your resume in minutes
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
- Hiring managers can’t instantly see you’re a chiropractor
- ATS may rank you lower for chiropractic keyword searches
- Reduces perceived specialization in a competitive field
How to fix
- Replace "Healthcare Professional" with "Licensed Chiropractor"
- Add your state license number directly under the title
- Include a concise specialty line (e.g., "Spinal‑Adjustment Specialist")
❌ Before
John Doe Healthcare Professional ...
✓ After
John Doe Licensed Chiropractor, State License #123456 Spinal‑Adjustment Specialist
ATS Tip
Exact title matches boost keyword relevance in iCIMS and Taleo.
Detection Rules
Title does not contain the word "Chiropractor"
License number missing
Resumly Tip
Always lead with your specific chiropractic title and license to capture both human and ATS attention.
Listing Duties Instead of AchievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Doesn’t demonstrate the impact you had on patient outcomes
- Makes your resume look like a job description, not a performance record
- ATS favors quantifiable results over generic verbs
How to fix
- Turn "Performed spinal adjustments" into "Performed 25+ spinal adjustments daily, improving patient pain scores by 30%"
- Add metrics: number of patients, satisfaction scores, revenue growth
- Show before‑and‑after patient case highlights
❌ Before
- Performed spinal adjustments - Managed patient records
✓ After
- Executed 25+ spinal adjustments per day, achieving a 30% average reduction in patient pain scores - Streamlined electronic health records, cutting documentation time by 15%
ATS Tip
Include numbers and action verbs; they are weighted heavily by Workday and Bullhorn parsers.
Detection Rules
Bullet points start with generic verbs (Performed, Managed)
No numeric data present
Resumly Tip
Quantify every patient‑care activity to prove your value.
Omitting Licensure & CertificationsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Employers must verify you’re legally allowed to practice
- Missing credentials trigger automatic disqualification in many ATS filters
- Reduces trust and professionalism perception
How to fix
- Create a dedicated "Licensure & Certifications" section near the top
- List state license, expiration date, and any specialty certifications (e.g., Certified Orthopedic Chiropractic Practitioner)
- Include NCCA‑approved continuing‑education credits
❌ Before
Education B.S. Kinesiology, XYZ University
✓ After
Licensure & Certifications - State License #123456, Active (Expires 06/2027) - Certified Orthopedic Chiropractic Practitioner (COCP), NCCA - 30 CEU’s in Sports Chiropractic, 2023
ATS Tip
Standard heading "Licensure & Certifications" is recognized by iCIMS and Taleo.
Detection Rules
No section titled Licensure, Certification, or similar
License number absent
Resumly Tip
A clear licensure section instantly validates your eligibility.
Neglecting Chiropractic‑Specific KeywordsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS algorithms scan for industry terms like "spinal manipulation" or "musculoskeletal"
- Your resume may be filtered out before a human ever sees it
- Hiring managers skim for relevant jargon to assess fit quickly
How to fix
- Research job postings and extract top 8–10 keywords (e.g., spinal adjustment, patient education, insurance billing)
- Weave these terms naturally into your Summary, Experience, and Skills sections
- Avoid keyword stuffing; keep language authentic
❌ Before
Summary: Experienced health professional with strong patient care skills.
✓ After
Summary: Licensed Chiropractor with 5+ years of expertise in spinal adjustment, musculoskeletal assessment, patient education, and insurance billing. Proven track record of improving patient pain scores and retention rates.
ATS Tip
Place at least three core keywords in the first 100 words; most systems prioritize early content.
Detection Rules
Keyword count <3 in first 100 words
Missing terms: spinal adjustment, musculoskeletal
Resumly Tip
Strategically embed chiropractic keywords to pass ATS filters and catch recruiter eyes.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Licensure & Certifications, Education, Professional Experience, Skills, Professional Affiliations, Continuing Education
Naming: FirstLast_Chiropractor_Resume.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages (max 2 pages for experienced chiropractors)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a professional headline with "Chiropractor" and license number
- Use a clean, single‑column layout with 10‑pt Calibri or Arial
- Add a concise 3‑sentence summary packed with chiropractic keywords
- List licensure details immediately after the headline
- Quantify patient outcomes in every relevant role
- Incorporate at least 8 industry‑specific keywords
- Use standard headings (Experience, Education, Licensure)
- Save as PDF with the naming convention specified
- Proofread for spelling of medical terms (e.g., "spinal", "musculoskeletal")
- Run the resume through an ATS simulator before sending
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Taleo, Workday, Bullhorn
Keyword Strategy: spinal adjustment, musculoskeletal, patient education, insurance billing, chiropractic technique, wellness program
Heading Format: Use standard headings like Professional Summary, Licensure & Certifications, Experience, Education
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste the full text of your current chiropractor resume below
- Replace generic titles with "Licensed Chiropractor" and add license number
- Convert duty‑based bullets into quantified achievement statements
- Insert missing licensure & certification entries
- Add top chiropractic keywords in summary and skills
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