RESUME MISTAKES
Avoid Costly Resume Mistakes
Turn your marketing expertise into a compelling resume that gets noticed by hiring managers and ATS.
How This Page Helps
Help marketing managers identify and correct resume mistakes that prevent them from securing senior marketing positions.
Spot hidden errors that ATS miss
Learn how to quantify campaign results
Replace vague buzzwords with impact-driven language
Optimize layout for readability
Ensure your digital portfolio shines
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
No quantifiable achievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge your impact
- ATS often looks for numbers
- Results differentiate you from other candidates
How to fix
- Add specific metrics (e.g., % increase, revenue growth)
- Use the STAR format to describe outcomes
- Place numbers near the action verb
❌ Before
Managed social media campaigns and improved brand awareness.
✓ After
Managed social media campaigns, increasing brand awareness by 35% and growing follower base by 12,000 in 6 months.
ATS Tip
Include numeric values (e.g., 35%, $500K) to trigger keyword scoring.
Detection Rules
No digits in bullet points
Absence of % or $ symbols
Lack of KPI keywords
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags bullets without numbers and suggests adding measurable results.
Vague career objectiveMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Adds no value
- Consumes valuable space
- ATS ignores objectives
How to fix
- Replace with a concise professional summary
- Highlight 3 key strengths and target role
- Keep it under 3 lines
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a marketing manager position to utilize my skills.
✓ After
Strategic Marketing Manager with 7+ years driving ROI‑focused campaigns, expert in digital acquisition and brand storytelling, seeking to lead growth initiatives at a fast‑growing tech firm.
ATS Tip
Use role‑specific keywords like 'digital acquisition', 'brand storytelling'.
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'objective'
Length > 30 words
Lacks industry keywords
Resumly Tip
Resumly suggests swapping the objective for a results‑driven summary.
Cliché buzzwords without proofLOW
Why it hurts
- Reduces credibility
- ATS may filter out generic terms
- Hiring managers see it as filler
How to fix
- Replace buzzwords with concrete examples
- Show evidence of 'leadership' by describing team size
- Avoid overused phrases like 'team player' alone
❌ Before
Team player with strong communication skills.
✓ After
Led a cross‑functional team of 8 to launch a multi‑channel campaign, achieving a 20% lift in conversion.
ATS Tip
Focus on action verbs and quantifiable outcomes rather than filler adjectives.
Detection Rules
Contains phrases 'team player', 'hardworking', 'dynamic'
No supporting metrics
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights buzzwords and prompts you to add supporting details.
Inconsistent layout and fontsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Reduces readability
- ATS may misparse sections
- Creates unprofessional impression
How to fix
- Use a single clean font (e.g., Arial 11pt)
- Maintain consistent heading styles
- Leave 1‑inch margins and bullet alignment
❌ Before
Experience - Managed campaigns Education - BA Marketing
✓ After
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - Managed campaigns ... EDUCATION - B.A., Marketing, XYZ University
ATS Tip
Stick to standard headings like 'Professional Experience' for ATS parsing.
Detection Rules
Mixed font names
Inconsistent heading capitalization
Resumly Tip
Resumly checks for font consistency and suggests a unified style.
No link to portfolio or campaign samplesLOW
Why it hurts
- Marketing roles rely on visual proof
- Hiring managers can’t see your work
- ATS may lower relevance score
How to fix
- Add a short URL to your online portfolio in the header
- Include a QR code for printed versions
- Mention key projects with links
❌ Before
Contact: john.doe@email.com
✓ After
Contact: john.doe@email.com | Portfolio: johnmarketing.com/portfolio
ATS Tip
Place the URL in the header so ATS captures it as a contact detail.
Detection Rules
No URL in contact section
Resumly Tip
Resumly prompts you to add a portfolio link if none detected.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Header, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Digital Portfolio
Naming: FirstName LastName – Marketing Manager
Consistency
Length: One page for early‑career, up to two pages for senior managers
Date Format: MMM YYYY (e.g., Jan 2020)
Location Format: City, State (optional country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a professional summary
- Quantify every major achievement
- Use action verbs
- Keep fonts consistent
- Add a portfolio URL
- Save as PDF with searchable text
- Tailor keywords to the job description
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: Lever, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday
Keyword Strategy: digital acquisition, brand storytelling, ROI, lead generation, SEO/SEM, campaign analytics
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Core Competencies'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste a bullet point from your current resume
- Add a metric
- Replace vague verb with a strong action verb
- Trim to 2 lines
- Insert relevant keyword
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