RESUME MISTAKES
Capture the Perfect Resume
Stop letting simple mistakes blur your chances. Fix them fast with Resumly’s guide for photographers.
How This Page Helps
Help photographers identify and correct resume mistakes that prevent them from getting hired, while ensuring ATS compatibility and visual impact.
Spot hidden ATS blockers
Polish visual layout for creative roles
Showcase portfolio links effectively
Use industry‑specific keywords
Apply professional formatting standards
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing Portfolio LinkHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t view your work
- ATS may flag missing URL as incomplete
How to fix
- Add a clickable, short URL to your online portfolio
- Place it in the header or contact section
❌ Before
John Doe – Photographer Phone: 555-1234 Email: john@example.com
✓ After
John Doe – Photographer Phone: 555-1234 | john@example.com | Portfolio: johndoe.com/portfolio
ATS Tip
Use plain text URLs; avoid hyperlinked text that ATS can’t parse.
Detection Rules
No line containing 'portfolio' or 'website' in contact section
Missing http/https pattern
Resumly Tip
Resumly scans for a URL with keywords like portfolio, site, or behance and flags if absent.
Listing Equipment Instead of AchievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Shows tools, not results
- Hiring managers want impact metrics
How to fix
- Replace equipment list with project outcomes
- Quantify results (e.g., increased sales by 20%)
❌ Before
Equipment: Canon EOS R5, 24‑70mm f/2.8, DJI Mavic Air 2
✓ After
Led product shoot for XYZ brand, delivering 150 high‑resolution images that boosted online sales by 22%.
ATS Tip
Focus on action verbs and measurable results; ATS keywords include 'produced', 'managed', 'increased'.
Detection Rules
Bullet points start with nouns like 'Equipment' or list of gear
Lack of numbers or verbs
Resumly Tip
Our parser flags lines that contain common gear names without accompanying verbs.
Using Creative Fonts That Break ATSHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS cannot read non‑standard fonts
- Resume may become unreadable to recruiters
How to fix
- Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica
- Use bold/italics for emphasis, not decorative fonts
❌ Before
Resume rendered in 'Brush Script MT' with decorative headings
✓ After
Resume rendered in Calibri 11pt, headings bolded
ATS Tip
Save as PDF with embedded fonts; avoid custom typography.
Detection Rules
Font name not in allowed list
Presence of special characters in headings
Resumly Tip
Resumly checks PDF metadata for font families and warns if non‑standard.
Vague Job TitlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t gauge seniority
- ATS may miss senior‑level keywords
How to fix
- Use specific titles like 'Senior Commercial Photographer' or 'Freelance Portrait Photographer'
- Include years of experience in title if relevant
❌ Before
Job Title: Photographer
✓ After
Job Title: Senior Commercial Photographer (5 years)
ATS Tip
Include seniority keywords: senior, lead, principal
Detection Rules
Title exactly 'Photographer' without modifiers
No years indicated
Resumly Tip
Our AI suggests more precise titles based on your experience section.
Omitting Soft Skills Relevant to CollaborationLOW
Why it hurts
- Creative teams value communication and adaptability
- ATS may filter for teamwork keywords
How to fix
- Add a brief bullet highlighting collaboration, client communication, and deadline management
- Use keywords like 'collaborated', 'communicated', 'managed timelines'
❌ Before
Skills: Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Studio Lighting
✓ After
Skills: Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Studio Lighting; Collaborated with art directors to deliver projects on time
ATS Tip
Include soft‑skill keywords that match job postings.
Detection Rules
Skills section lacks words like 'collaborated', 'communicated', 'team'
Resumly Tip
Resumly recommends adding collaboration-focused bullet points when soft‑skill terms are missing.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Key Skills, Experience, Education, Portfolio Links, Awards & Exhibitions
Naming: FirstName_LastName_PhotoResume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (or Country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a clickable portfolio URL
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
- Replace gear lists with measurable results
- Specify seniority in job titles
- Add collaboration and client‑management bullets
- Format dates as MM/YYYY
- Save as PDF with embedded fonts
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: photographer, commercial, portrait, studio, lighting, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, retouching, client management
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Experience', 'Education', 'Skills', 'Portfolio'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current photographer resume text
- Add portfolio URL
- Replace gear list with results
- Standardize font to Calibri 11pt
- Refine job titles
- Insert measurable achievements
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