RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Resume Mistakes Holding Back Your Manufacturing Engineer Career
Identify and correct the top errors that keep hiring managers from noticing your expertise.
How This Page Helps
This page helps Manufacturing Engineers spot and correct the most damaging resume mistakes, ensuring their experience shines and passes ATS filters.
Understand why generic objectives fail
Learn how to quantify production achievements
Master the right technical keyword placement
Apply industry‑standard formatting
Use Resumly tools to auto‑detect errors
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Generic Objective StatementHIGH
Why it hurts
- Doesn't convey specific value to manufacturing roles
- Gets filtered out by ATS lacking keywords
- Wastes recruiter time
How to fix
- Replace with a concise summary highlighting years of experience, core competencies, and target industry
- Include 2–3 key manufacturing keywords
- Focus on what you can deliver to the employer
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills.
✓ After
Summary: 6+ years optimizing high‑volume production lines, reducing waste by 15% through Lean Six Sigma, seeking a Manufacturing Engineer role to drive efficiency at XYZ Corp.
ATS Tip
Lead with a summary that contains role‑specific keywords like 'Lean', 'Six Sigma', 'process optimization'.
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'Objective' and is less than 30 words
Lacks industry keywords
Resumly Tip
Swap the Objective for a Summary that showcases measurable impact.
Missing Quantifiable AchievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Recruiters can’t gauge impact
- ATS may miss numbers that signal results
- Resume looks like a list of duties
How to fix
- Add specific metrics (e.g., % improvement, cost savings, units produced)
- Use action verbs followed by results
- Keep numbers prominent
❌ Before
Responsible for overseeing production processes.
✓ After
Led a cross‑functional team to redesign the assembly line, increasing throughput by 22% and cutting cycle time by 1.8 minutes.
ATS Tip
Include numbers and units; ATS often scores resumes higher for quantified results.
Detection Rules
Bullet points lack digits or % signs
Sentences start with generic verbs like 'Responsible for'
Resumly Tip
Highlight achievements with concrete numbers to demonstrate value.
Incorrect File Format or NamingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may not parse PDFs with complex layouts
- Hiring managers may ignore improperly named files
- Can appear unprofessional
How to fix
- Save as a simple PDF (PDF/A) without headers/footers
- Name file as FirstName_LastName_ManufacturingEngineer.pdf
- Avoid Word docs unless requested
❌ Before
Resume.docx
✓ After
JohnDoe_ManufacturingEngineer.pdf
ATS Tip
Use a clean PDF; avoid graphics that ATS can't read.
Detection Rules
File extension not .pdf
File name contains spaces or special characters
Resumly Tip
Rename and export your resume to a plain PDF before sending.
Omitting Core Technical KeywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS keyword match score drops
- Recruiter may think you lack required skills
- Reduces chances of interview
How to fix
- Review job description for tools like 'AutoCAD', 'SolidWorks', 'PLC programming', 'Lean Manufacturing'
- Create a Skills section with exact terms
- Scatter keywords naturally in experience bullets
❌ Before
Experienced in CAD and process improvement.
✓ After
Proficient in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, PLC programming, and Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) to streamline manufacturing processes.
ATS Tip
Match at least 70% of the top keywords from the posting.
Detection Rules
Skills section missing or contains generic terms
Job description keywords not present in resume text
Resumly Tip
Run a keyword match check to ensure critical terms appear.
Inconsistent Date or Location FormattingLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may misinterpret dates, causing timeline gaps
- Hiring managers may question attention to detail
- Reduces readability
How to fix
- Use month/year format (MM/YYYY) for all entries
- List city, state consistently
- Align dates to the right for easy scanning
❌ Before
Jan 2020 – Present – Detroit, MI
✓ After
01/2020 – Present Detroit, MI
ATS Tip
Standardize dates to MM/YYYY and keep location on one line.
Detection Rules
Dates appear in varied formats (e.g., 'Jan 2020', '2020')
Location includes country for some entries and not others
Resumly Tip
Apply the same date and location format throughout the document.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF (preferred), DOCX (if requested)
Sections: Header with contact info, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_ManufacturingEngineer.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages (max 2)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (US)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a professional summary instead of an objective
- Quantify every major achievement
- Include at least 8 relevant technical keywords
- Format dates as MM/YYYY
- Save as a clean PDF
- List certifications (e.g., Six Sigma Green Belt)
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
- Tailor each bullet to the target job
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Taleo, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Lean, Six Sigma, Process Optimization, PLC, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience', 'Education', 'Skills' to ensure ATS parses sections correctly.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Manufacturing Engineer resume text
- Replace generic objective with summary
- Add quantified results to each experience bullet
- Insert missing technical keywords
- Standardize date and location format
- Rename file according to convention
Ready to turn your resume into an interview magnet?
Start Your Free Review
