RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Resume Mistakes From Blocking Your HR Career
Learn the exact fixes that turn a generic CV into a hiring‑ready showcase for Employee Relations Specialists.
How This Page Helps
Help Employee Relations Specialists identify and correct resume mistakes that reduce interview callbacks and ATS compatibility.
Identify hidden ATS blockers
Rewrite vague achievements into measurable results
Align language with HR compliance terminology
Optimize layout for quick scanning
Apply industry‑specific keywords
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic HR language instead of Employee Relations specificsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see your niche expertise
- ATS may not match role‑specific keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic terms with concrete Employee Relations actions
- Add measurable outcomes related to conflict resolution, policy development, and employee engagement
❌ Before
Managed employee relations functions and handled HR issues.
✓ After
Led employee relations initiatives, reducing grievance filings by 30% through proactive conflict mediation and updated policy communication.
ATS Tip
Include keywords like 'conflict mediation', 'policy development', 'employee engagement', 'grievance resolution'.
Detection Rules
Contains phrase 'HR issues'
Lacks quantifiable metrics
Missing employee relations keywords
Resumly Tip
Swap generic HR verbs with action verbs that reflect employee relations impact.
Listing duties instead of achievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Resumes become a job description, not a personal brand
- ATS scores lower on impact statements
How to fix
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb
- Quantify results (e.g., % reduction, number of cases)
❌ Before
Responsible for conducting investigations into workplace complaints.
✓ After
Conducted 45 workplace investigations, achieving a 95% resolution rate within 10 days, reducing legal exposure.
ATS Tip
Begin bullets with verbs like 'conducted', 'facilitated', 'implemented' and include numbers.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with 'Responsible for'
No numbers present
Resumly Tip
Convert duty statements into achievement statements with metrics.
Improper formatting – dense paragraphs and inconsistent datesLOW
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers skim quickly and may miss key info
- ATS may misread sections if dates aren't standardized
How to fix
- Use bullet points, keep lines under 12 words
- Standardize dates as 'MMM YYYY' and align them to the right
- Separate sections with clear headings
❌ Before
January 2018 – March 2020: Employee Relations Manager at XYZ Corp ... (large paragraph)
✓ After
Employee Relations Manager, XYZ Corp – Jan 2018 to Mar 2020 - Led...
ATS Tip
Consistent date format improves parsing; avoid tables.
Detection Rules
Paragraph longer than 3 sentences
Date format varies
Resumly Tip
Apply our one‑click formatting tool to standardize dates and bullet layout.
Omitting compliance and legal expertise keywordsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS filters for compliance knowledge in employee relations roles
- Hiring managers look for risk‑management experience
How to fix
- Add sections for 'Compliance & Legal Expertise' with relevant certifications (e.g., SHRM‑CP, CIPD)
- Include keywords like 'EEOC', 'FMLA', 'labor law compliance'
❌ Before
Handled employee issues.
✓ After
Ensured EEOC compliance across all investigations and updated FMLA policies, reducing audit findings by 40%.
ATS Tip
Include certifications and legal terms prominently.
Detection Rules
No mention of EEOC, FMLA, or certifications
Resumly Tip
Insert a 'Compliance & Certifications' bullet block with suggested phrasing.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Professional Affiliations
Naming: FirstName_LastName_EmployeeRelations.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages (max 2 pages for mid‑level specialists)
Date Format: MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State (Remote optional)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional summary with 3‑4 lines
- Include at least 3 quantifiable achievements per role
- Incorporate 8–12 industry keywords
- Maintain consistent date and location formatting
- Save as PDF with searchable text
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Lever
Keyword Strategy: conflict mediation, policy development, employee engagement, grievance resolution, EEOC compliance, FMLA, labor law
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Core Competencies' to match ATS parsing.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text below
- Convert duties to achievements
- Add measurable results
- Insert employee‑relations keywords
- Standardize dates and headings
Ready to transform your resume? Get our free fix guide now!
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