RESUME MISTAKES
Stop HR Resume Mistakes From Holding You Back
Identify and correct the top errors that keep hiring managers from seeing your HR expertise.
How This Page Helps
Help HR Generalists create error‑free, ATS‑optimized resumes that showcase their people‑management expertise.
Identify the five most common HR resume errors
Learn actionable fixes you can apply in minutes
Get ATS‑friendly formatting tips
Boost your chances of getting interview callbacks
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic job titlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see your seniority
- ATS may not match keywords
How to fix
- Replace with specific titles like "HR Generalist – Employee Relations"
- Include level (mid‑level, senior)
❌ Before
Human Resources Specialist
✓ After
HR Generalist – Employee Relations (Mid‑Level)
ATS Tip
Match the exact title used in the job posting
Detection Rules
title contains generic terms like "Specialist" without qualifier
no level indicated
Resumly Tip
Our parser flags generic titles and suggests industry‑standard equivalents.
Listing duties instead of achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Recruiters skim for impact, not tasks
- ATS scores lower when achievements lack metrics
How to fix
- Start each bullet with an action verb
- Quantify results (e.g., reduced turnover by 12%)
❌ Before
- Conducted employee onboarding and maintained records.
✓ After
- Streamlined onboarding process, cutting new‑hire time by 20% and improving first‑month retention by 12%.
ATS Tip
Include keywords like "streamlined", "reduced turnover", "retention"
Detection Rules
bullets begin with "responsible for" or "assisted with"
no numbers or percentages present
Resumly Tip
Click “Boost Impact” to auto‑convert duties into achievement‑focused statements.
Omitting quantifiable resultsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hard to gauge your contribution
- ATS algorithms favor numbers
How to fix
- Add percentages, dollar amounts, or headcounts wherever possible
- Use the formula: Action + Metric + Result
❌ Before
- Managed employee relations issues.
✓ After
- Resolved 45 employee relations cases, achieving a 98% satisfaction rating and reducing formal grievances by 30%.
ATS Tip
Insert measurable keywords such as "45 cases", "98% satisfaction", "30% reduction"
Detection Rules
bullet points lack any numeric characters
Resumly Tip
Our “Add Metrics” tool suggests realistic figures based on industry benchmarks.
Incorrect date format causing parsing errorsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misread employment periods
- Gaps can appear unintentionally
How to fix
- Use MM/YYYY for all dates
- Align start and end dates consistently
❌ Before
Jan 2019 – Present
✓ After
01/2019 – Present
ATS Tip
MM/YYYY is universally recognized by major ATS platforms
Detection Rules
dates contain month name or inconsistent separators
Resumly Tip
Enable "Standardize Dates" to auto‑convert all date entries.
Submitting PDFs with embedded images that ATS can’t readMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Text inside images is invisible to ATS
- Important keywords are missed
How to fix
- Save as text‑based PDF or upload a DOCX
- Avoid placing contact info or skills in graphics
❌ Before
[Image of a stylized header with name and contact info]
✓ After
John Doe john.doe@email.com | (555) 123‑4567 | Chicago, IL
ATS Tip
Plain‑text PDFs retain formatting while remaining ATS‑readable
Detection Rules
file contains embedded image layers
contact section rendered as image
Resumly Tip
Our upload scanner warns you if the file contains non‑text elements.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Professional Affiliations
Naming: FirstName_LastName_HRGeneralist.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages for 0–5 years experience; up to 3 pages for senior HR roles
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear professional headline
- Include a 2‑sentence summary highlighting HR expertise
- List core competencies with HR‑specific keywords
- Show at least 3 quantified achievements per role
- Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
- Save as a text‑based PDF
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo
Keyword Strategy: HRIS, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compliance
Heading Format: Use standard headings like "Professional Experience" and "Core Competencies"
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current HR resume text
- Standardize date format
- Add quantifiable metrics
- Replace generic titles
- Optimize keywords for HRIS, talent acquisition, employee relations
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