RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Delivery Jobs to a Bad Resume
Identify and fix the most common courier resume mistakes in minutes.
How This Page Helps
Help couriers create error‑free, ATS‑friendly resumes that showcase speed, reliability, and safety.
Spot hidden formatting errors
Learn ATS‑compatible keywords
See before‑and‑after resume snippets
Apply a quick 5‑minute fix workshop
Boost interview callbacks
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing Quantifiable Delivery MetricsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge your efficiency
- ATS may miss performance keywords
How to fix
- Add numbers for packages delivered per day/week
- Include on‑time delivery rate percentages
❌ Before
Delivered packages across the city.
✓ After
Delivered 150+ packages daily with a 98% on‑time rate.
ATS Tip
Use keywords like 'packages delivered', 'on‑time', 'delivery volume'.
Detection Rules
No numbers present
Lacks performance metrics
Resumly Tip
Quantify your speed and reliability to stand out.
Using a Generic Objective StatementMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Doesn’t differentiate you from other drivers
- Wastes valuable space
How to fix
- Replace with a concise summary highlighting key strengths
- Mention specific vehicle types or routes you excel at
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a courier position.
✓ After
Summary: Reliable courier with 3 years experience operating 10‑ft trucks, achieving 99% on‑time deliveries in urban routes.
ATS Tip
Include role‑specific terms like 'courier', 'delivery driver', 'route optimization'.
Detection Rules
Starts with 'Objective:'
Less than 30 characters after colon
Resumly Tip
Swap objective for a results‑focused summary.
Listing Unrelated Work ExperienceLOW
Why it hurts
- Dilutes relevance
- ATS may lower relevance score
How to fix
- Keep only roles with delivery, logistics, or customer‑service duties
- Summarize unrelated jobs in a brief 'Other Experience' line
❌ Before
Cashier at Retail Store – 2019‑2021
✓ After
Delivery Associate – Retail Store (2020‑2021): Handled same‑day shipments, coordinated with drivers, maintained inventory logs.
ATS Tip
Prioritize keywords like 'shipment', 'logistics', 'customer service'.
Detection Rules
Job titles unrelated to courier
No delivery‑related duties listed
Resumly Tip
Trim unrelated roles to keep focus on delivery expertise.
Inconsistent Date FormattingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may misread employment dates
- Hiring managers view it as sloppy
How to fix
- Use month-year format consistently (e.g., Jan 2022 – Present)
- Avoid abbreviations like '20/21'
❌ Before
2019 – 2021
✓ After
Jun 2019 – Mar 2021
ATS Tip
Standardized dates improve parsing accuracy.
Detection Rules
Date strings not matching 'MMM YYYY' pattern
Mixed formats present
Resumly Tip
Adopt a uniform date style across the resume.
Missing Safety and Compliance CertificationsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Employers value CDL, safety training
- ATS may filter out candidates lacking keywords
How to fix
- Add a 'Certifications' section with CDL, OSHA, defensive driving courses
- Include expiration dates if applicable
❌ Before
Skills: Fast, reliable
✓ After
Certifications: Class B CDL (valid 2025), OSHA 10‑Hour Safety, Defensive Driving (expires 2024).
ATS Tip
Insert certification keywords exactly as listed in job ads.
Detection Rules
No certification section
Safety keywords absent
Resumly Tip
Show compliance to boost trust.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Header, Professional Summary, Work Experience, Certifications, Skills, Education
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Courier_Resume
Consistency
Length: One page for < 5 years experience; two pages max for 5+ years
Date Format: MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear courier‑specific headline
- Include quantifiable delivery metrics
- Add relevant certifications (CDL, safety)
- Keep dates in MMM YYYY format
- Use courier keywords (delivery, route, on‑time)
- Save as PDF with proper file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: delivery volume, on‑time rate, route optimization, CDL, safety training
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Summary', 'Work Experience', 'Certifications', 'Skills'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current courier resume text
- Standardize dates
- Add numbers to delivery duties
- Insert certifications section
- Replace objective with summary
- Apply consistent heading styles
Ready to turn your courier resume into a hiring magnet?
Download the Free Fix Guide
