RESUME MISTAKES
Avoid Costly Resume Mistakes as a Rehabilitation Specialist
Turn errors into opportunities with expert fixes that get you noticed by hiring managers and ATS.
How This Page Helps
Help rehabilitation specialists identify and correct resume mistakes that hinder job prospects, improve ATS compatibility, and showcase clinical expertise.
Spot hidden ATS blockers
Learn industry‑specific wording
Apply formatting best practices
Craft compelling achievement statements
Boost confidence with a polished resume
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Generic Objective StatementMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Provides no value to hiring manager
- Fails to include keywords
- Looks outdated
How to fix
- Replace with a concise professional summary
- Highlight years of experience and specialties
- Incorporate key terms like 'patient-centered care'
❌ Before
Objective: Seeking a position where I can use my skills.
✓ After
Professional Summary: Certified Rehabilitation Specialist with 7+ years delivering patient‑centered therapy in orthopedic and neurological settings, skilled in gait analysis, functional training, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
ATS Tip
Include core keywords early in the summary.
Detection Rules
Contains the word 'Objective'
Length < 30 words
Lacks industry keywords
Resumly Tip
Swap Objective for a Summary that quantifies impact.
Listing Duties Instead of AchievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Doesn't demonstrate results
- Makes resume look like a job description
- Reduces recruiter interest
How to fix
- Use STAR format
- Quantify outcomes (e.g., % improvement)
- Focus on patient outcomes
❌ Before
Responsible for conducting therapy sessions for post‑surgical patients.
✓ After
Led therapy for 30 post‑surgical patients weekly, achieving a 20% reduction in average rehab length of stay.
ATS Tip
Start bullet with action verb and include measurable metric.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with 'Responsible for' or 'Assisted with'
No numbers present
Resumly Tip
Turn duties into results with numbers.
Missing Certifications and LicensesHIGH
Why it hurts
- Employers filter for required credentials
- ATS may discard resumes lacking keywords
- Undermines credibility
How to fix
- Create a dedicated Certifications section
- List license number and expiration
- Include relevant continuing education
❌ Before
Skills: patient care, documentation
✓ After
Certifications: Certified Rehabilitation Specialist (CRS), State License #123456 (expires 2026), CPR/BLS Certified
ATS Tip
Place certifications near top of resume.
Detection Rules
No section titled Certifications or Licenses
Keywords 'certified', 'license' missing
Resumly Tip
Add a Certifications block with dates.
Inconsistent Date FormattingLOW
Why it hurts
- Confuses ATS parsers
- Looks unprofessional
- Makes timeline unclear
How to fix
- Use month-year format (MM/YYYY)
- Keep same style throughout
- Align dates to right margin
❌ Before
Jan 2020 – Present
✓ After
01/2020 – Present
ATS Tip
MM/YYYY is universally recognized by ATS.
Detection Rules
Dates appear as 'Jan 2020' or '2020'
Resumly Tip
Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY.
Overly Complex FormattingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may not read tables or graphics
- Hiring managers may struggle to scan
- File size may be large
How to fix
- Use simple bullet points
- Avoid tables, columns, and images
- Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Calibri
❌ Before
Resume includes a two‑column layout with icons.
✓ After
Single‑column, left‑aligned text with plain bullets.
ATS Tip
Save as .docx or PDF without embedded objects.
Detection Rules
Presence of tables or columns
File size > 1MB
Resumly Tip
Keep layout clean and ATS‑friendly.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications & Licenses, Professional Affiliations, Volunteer Experience (optional)
Naming: FirstName_LastName_RehabSpecialist_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages for most rehabilitation specialists; 2 pages if >10 years experience
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (e.g., Boston, MA)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a professional summary with keywords
- Showcase measurable patient outcomes
- List all relevant certifications and licenses
- Use consistent MM/YYYY dates
- Keep formatting simple and ATS‑compatible
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
- Save as PDF with file name matching naming convention
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: Taleo, iCIMS, Workday, Greenhouse, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Use terms like 'patient-centered care', 'functional mobility', 'interdisciplinary team', 'evidence‑based practice', 'outcome measurement'
Heading Format: Standard headings such as Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Experience, Education, Certifications
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste the bullet you want to improve (e.g., a duty statement)
- Convert duty to achievement
- Add quantifiable metric
- Insert relevant keyword
- Trim to 2‑3 lines
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