RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Losing Property Management Jobs to Resume Errors
Identify and correct the most common resume mistakes that keep hiring managers from calling you back.
How This Page Helps
This guide helps property managers spot and correct resume mistakes that hinder job prospects, ensuring a polished, ATS‑friendly document.
Understand why each mistake hurts your candidacy
Learn actionable fixes with before‑and‑after examples
Get ATS optimization tips specific to property management
Follow formatting rules that impress hiring managers
Access a quick checklist and mini‑fix 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 your level of responsibility
- ATS may not match your role to the job posting
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with specific ones (e.g., “Senior Property Manager – Commercial”)
- Include the property type and portfolio size
❌ Before
Property Manager
✓ After
Senior Property Manager – Commercial (Managed 12 retail locations)
ATS Tip
Use exact keywords from the job description such as “Commercial Property Manager”
Detection Rules
Title length < 5 words
Missing property type or scope
Resumly Tip
Add brackets to clarify scope and seniority.
Missing Quantifiable AchievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Resume looks like a list of duties
- No proof of impact for hiring manager
How to fix
- Add numbers: occupancy rates, cost savings, revenue growth
- Use action verbs and results
❌ Before
Responsible for tenant relations and lease administration.
✓ After
Improved occupancy from 88% to 96% within 12 months, reducing vacancy costs by $45K.
ATS Tip
Include metrics with keywords like “occupancy rate” and “cost reduction”.
Detection Rules
No digits in bullet points
Bullets start with “Responsible for”
Resumly Tip
Turn duties into achievements by adding % or $ figures.
Unclear Location FormattingLOW
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see where you’ve worked
- ATS may misinterpret location fields
How to fix
- List city, state, and country in a consistent format
- Place location on same line as company name
❌ Before
ABC Realty – 2015‑2020
✓ After
ABC Realty – Chicago, IL, USA (2015‑2020)
ATS Tip
Use “City, State” format to match common parsing rules.
Detection Rules
Company line missing comma-separated location
Date range not adjacent to location
Resumly Tip
Add location after company name, separated by an en‑dash.
Over‑loading with Irrelevant SkillsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS keyword dilution
- Hiring managers waste time scanning unrelated skills
How to fix
- List only property‑management‑specific skills
- Group soft skills under a separate heading
❌ Before
Skills: Photoshop, Excel, Customer Service, Event Planning
✓ After
Skills: Property Accounting, Lease Negotiation, Vendor Management, Budget Forecasting, Excel
ATS Tip
Match skills to the job posting’s required competencies.
Detection Rules
Skills list > 8 items
Contains non‑property terms
Resumly Tip
Prioritize industry‑relevant tools and certifications.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Technical Skills
Naming: FirstName_LastName_PropertyManager.pdf
Consistency
Length: One to two pages (10‑12 point font)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State, Country
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear professional summary
- Include quantifiable achievements for each role
- List property type and portfolio size
- Format dates as MM/YYYY
- Add relevant property‑management keywords
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
- Save as PDF with proper file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: Taleo, iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse
Keyword Strategy: Include terms like “occupancy rate”, “lease renewal”, “budget management”, “vendor contracts”, “property portfolio”.
Heading Format: Use standard headings such as “Professional Experience” and “Core Competencies” to ensure ATS parsing.
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste the bullet you want to improve
- Add a metric
- Replace generic verb with action verb
- Specify property type
- Include result statement
Ready to transform your property manager resume? Get our free fix guide now!
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