RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing DBA Jobs to Resume Mistakes
Identify and correct the most common errors that keep hiring managers from seeing your expertise.
How This Page Helps
Help Database Administrators create error‑free, ATS‑optimized resumes that showcase technical depth and impact.
Spot hidden formatting issues
Learn DBA‑specific keyword strategies
See before‑and‑after resume snippets
Apply quick fixes with our mini‑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 specific database technologiesHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge your platform expertise
- ATS filters out generic terms like "SQL" without version numbers
- Your resume appears vague compared to specialized candidates
How to fix
- List exact DBMS names and versions (e.g., MySQL 8.0, PostgreSQL 13)
- Include relevant certifications (e.g., Oracle Certified Professional)
- Create a dedicated "Technologies" subsection with bullet points
❌ Before
Managed SQL databases for various applications.
✓ After
Managed MySQL 8.0 and PostgreSQL 13 environments, optimizing queries and ensuring 99.99% uptime.
ATS Tip
Use exact product names and version numbers as keywords.
Detection Rules
Look for generic terms without version numbers
Check for missing vendor names in the Technical Skills section
Resumly Tip
Add a "Technologies" subsection and list each DBMS with its version and any certifications.
Overly technical jargon without business contextMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Recruiters may not understand niche terms
- ATS may not map obscure acronyms to keywords
- It hides the impact of your work
How to fix
- Pair each technical term with a business outcome
- Translate acronyms into full form on first use
- Balance technical depth with measurable results
❌ Before
Implemented replication, sharding, and partitioning to improve data distribution.
✓ After
Implemented MySQL replication and table partitioning, reducing query latency by 35% and supporting a 2× increase in concurrent users.
ATS Tip
Include both the technical term and its common synonym (e.g., "Replication (Data Redundancy)")
Detection Rules
Identify bullet points that end with only technical actions
Search for acronyms without explanation
Resumly Tip
Rewrite each technical bullet to start with an action verb, then add the business benefit.
Lack of quantifiable achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see the scale of your contributions
- ATS often scores resumes higher when numbers are present
- Your impact looks generic
How to fix
- Add specific metrics (percentages, time saved, cost reduced)
- Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- Compare before/after performance where possible
❌ Before
Optimized database queries.
✓ After
Optimized over 150 slow-running queries, cutting average execution time from 4.2 s to 0.9 s and saving $45K in annual compute costs.
ATS Tip
Include numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts as they are strong keyword matches.
Detection Rules
Search for bullet points lacking numbers or percentages
Flag generic verbs like "improved" without follow‑up data
Resumly Tip
Replace vague verbs with quantified results to make each bullet measurable.
Inconsistent or non‑standard date formattingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to parse employment dates
- Recruiters can misinterpret gaps in employment
- Inconsistent dates look unprofessional
How to fix
- Use a uniform format (MM/YYYY) for all entries
- Align dates to the right margin for readability
- Avoid using words like "Present"—use "Current" or the actual month/year
❌ Before
Senior DBA – Jan 2020 – Present
✓ After
Senior Database Administrator 06/2020 – Current
ATS Tip
MM/YYYY format is recognized by most ATS parsers.
Detection Rules
Detect mixed date formats (e.g., "Jan 2020", "2020-01")
Identify missing end dates
Resumly Tip
Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY and ensure the same alignment throughout the resume.
Submitting a PDF with embedded images or non‑searchable textHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS cannot read text inside images
- Key information may be omitted from parsing
- Your resume may be rejected before human review
How to fix
- Save the document as a text‑based PDF (not scanned)
- Use standard fonts and avoid embedding screenshots of text
- Run the PDF through an OCR‑free validator
❌ Before
Uploaded a scanned PDF of a printed resume.
✓ After
Uploaded a searchable PDF generated directly from Word, preserving all text for ATS parsing.
ATS Tip
Ensure the PDF size is under 2 MB and contains selectable text.
Detection Rules
Check file metadata for "Scanned" flag
Run a text extraction test to see if content is selectable
Resumly Tip
Export your resume as a searchable PDF from your word processor; avoid screenshots or scanned images.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Technical Skills, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Projects
Naming: FirstName_LastName_DBA_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages (max 2)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (or Country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear professional summary tailored to DBA roles
- List DBMS versions and tools in a dedicated Technical Skills section
- Quantify performance improvements and cost savings
- Keep employment dates in MM/YYYY format
- Save as a searchable PDF under 2 MB
- Include relevant certifications and training
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, Taleo
Keyword Strategy: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, NoSQL, performance tuning, backup & recovery, replication, ETL, database security, indexing
Heading Format: Use standard headings like "Professional Experience" and "Technical Skills"
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current DBA resume text
- Standardize date format
- Add missing DBMS versions
- Convert bullet points to action‑result format
- Insert quantified metrics
Ready to transform your DBA resume? Get our free optimization checklist now!
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