RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Media Planner Resume Mistakes From Holding You Back
Identify and correct the most common errors to get noticed by hiring managers and programmatic ad teams.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps media planners spot and correct resume mistakes that reduce interview chances, ensuring ATS compatibility and industry relevance.
Understand why each mistake hurts your candidacy
Step‑by‑step fixes with before‑and‑after examples
ATS‑friendly formatting tips
Quick checklist for final review
Download a ready‑to‑use PDF workshop
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Vague Job TitlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge seniority
- ATS may not match keywords
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with specific industry terms
- Add level indicators (e.g., Senior Media Planner)
❌ Before
Planner at XYZ Corp
✓ After
Senior Media Planner – Digital Campaigns, XYZ Corp
ATS Tip
Use exact titles from job postings
Detection Rules
title contains generic words like 'Planner' without qualifier
title length < 3 words
Resumly Tip
Resumly suggests title upgrades based on your experience.
Missing Measurable ResultsHIGH
Why it hurts
- No proof of impact
- ATS keywords like 'ROI' ignored
How to fix
- Add specific metrics (e.g., increased CPM efficiency by 15%)
- Use numbers and percentages
❌ Before
Managed media budgets for clients.
✓ After
Managed $3M media budget, achieving 12% lower CPM and 8% higher ROI across 20 campaigns.
ATS Tip
Include quantifiable metrics early in bullet points.
Detection Rules
bullet points lack numbers
no % or $ symbols
Resumly Tip
Our AI highlights bullets without metrics.
Unoptimized Keyword UsageHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS may filter out resume
- Recruiters miss relevant skills
How to fix
- Mirror keywords from job description
- Add industry tools like 'DV360', 'The Trade Desk'
❌ Before
Experienced with programmatic platforms.
✓ After
Proficient with DV360, The Trade Desk, and Adobe Advertising Cloud for programmatic buying.
ATS Tip
Place top keywords in headings and bullet points.
Detection Rules
absence of platform names
no mention of 'programmatic'
Resumly Tip
Keyword scanner suggests missing terms.
Poor Formatting – Dense ParagraphsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hard to scan quickly
- ATS may misread sections
How to fix
- Use bullet points, clear headings, white space
- Limit lines to 80 characters
❌ Before
Responsible for planning, executing, and analyzing campaigns across multiple channels.
✓ After
- Planned and executed multi‑channel programmatic campaigns - Analyzed performance, optimized bids, and reported ROI
ATS Tip
Keep sections under 10 bullet points each.
Detection Rules
paragraphs longer than 2 sentences
no bullet points
Resumly Tip
Formatting assistant reformats dense text.
Incorrect Date or Location FormatLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may not parse dates
- Hiring managers can’t assess timeline
How to fix
- Use MM/YYYY for dates, City, State for location
- Consistent throughout resume
❌ Before
Jan 2020 – Present, New York
✓ After
01/2020 – Present | New York, NY
ATS Tip
Standardize date format to MM/YYYY.
Detection Rules
dates include month name
location missing state abbreviation
Resumly Tip
Date validator flags non‑standard formats.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Header, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_MediaPlanner.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages for mid‑level media planners; 2 pages for senior
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (e.g., Chicago, IL)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear, keyword‑rich headline
- Quantify every achievement
- Include at least 5 industry‑specific tools
- Keep formatting ATS‑friendly
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
- Save as PDF with proper file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Programmatic, CPM, ROI, DV360, The Trade Desk, Audience Segmentation, Media Buying
Heading Format: Use headings like 'Professional Experience' and 'Core Competencies' to match ATS expectations
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current media planner resume text
- Standardize headings
- Add measurable metrics
- Insert missing keywords
- Reformat dates and locations
- Convert paragraphs to bullets
Ready to transform your media planner resume? Get the free fix guide now!
Download the Guide
