RESUME MISTAKES
Avoid These Resume Pitfalls and Land Your Dream Research Role
Targeted fixes for research scientists to make your CV stand out to hiring committees and ATS.
How This Page Helps
Help research scientists identify and correct common resume mistakes that hinder their chances of securing funding, lab positions, or industry roles.
Identify ATS‑blocking language
Showcase research impact with metrics
Structure sections for clarity
Use proper scientific naming conventions
Tailor CV for academia vs industry
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Overly Technical JargonMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers outside your niche may not understand
- ATS may not recognize uncommon acronyms
- Reduces readability
How to fix
- Replace niche acronyms with full terms on first use
- Add a brief lay‑person description
- Include a glossary only if needed
❌ Before
Utilized CRISPR‑Cas9 for DSB repair in HEK293 cells.
✓ After
Utilized CRISPR-Cas9 (gene‑editing technology) to repair double‑strand DNA breaks in human kidney (HEK293) cells.
ATS Tip
Spell out abbreviations before using the acronym.
Detection Rules
Contains >2 uncommon acronyms
Sentence length >20 words with technical terms
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags jargon and suggests plain‑language alternatives.
Missing Quantifiable ImpactHIGH
Why it hurts
- Impact is vague
- ATS looks for numbers
- Hiring managers want measurable results
How to fix
- Add percentages, counts, or funding amounts
- Show how your work advanced the project
- Use action‑result format
❌ Before
Conducted experiments on protein folding.
✓ After
Conducted 30 protein‑folding experiments, increasing assay throughput by 45%.
ATS Tip
Include at least one numeric metric per bullet.
Detection Rules
No digits in bullet points
Bullet starts with generic verb only
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights bullets lacking numbers and suggests metrics.
Improper Section OrderLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS expects standard headings
- Recruiters scan quickly
- Important info may be missed
How to fix
- Place Education, Publications, and Skills after Experience for industry; before for academia
- Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience'
❌ Before
Skills, Experience, Education, Publications
✓ After
Professional Experience, Education, Publications, Technical Skills
ATS Tip
Use conventional heading titles.
Detection Rules
Non‑standard heading names
Skills section before Experience
Resumly Tip
Resumly checks heading order against best‑practice templates.
Inconsistent Date FormattingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may not parse dates
- Creates visual clutter
- Confuses hiring timeline
How to fix
- Use MMM YYYY (e.g., Jan 2020 – Present)
- Be consistent across all entries
❌ Before
2019 – 2021
✓ After
Jan 2019 – Dec 2021
ATS Tip
Standardize to 'MMM YYYY'.
Detection Rules
Mixed date formats
Only year provided
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags date inconsistencies and auto‑formats.
Omitting Keywords from Job DescriptionHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS filters out resumes lacking keywords
- Missed chance to align with role
- Reduces relevance score
How to fix
- Extract 5–7 core keywords from the posting
- Integrate them naturally into bullets and summary
- Use synonyms where appropriate
❌ Before
Performed data analysis on genomic datasets.
✓ After
Performed bioinformatics data analysis on genomic datasets, utilizing Python, R, and machine learning to identify variant patterns.
ATS Tip
Mirror exact keyword phrasing when possible.
Detection Rules
No overlap with job posting keywords
Low keyword density (<2%)
Resumly Tip
Resumly compares your resume to the job description and highlights missing keywords.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Research Experience, Publications, Education, Technical Skills, Awards & Grants, Professional Affiliations
Naming: FirstName_LastName_ResearchScientist_Resume
Consistency
Length: 2 pages for industry, up to 4 pages for academic CV
Date Format: MMM YYYY
Location Format: City, State (Country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear professional summary
- List achievements with numbers
- Include relevant keywords
- Maintain consistent formatting
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
- Save as PDF with searchable text
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Taleo
Keyword Strategy: e.g., 'CRISPR', 'RNA‑seq', 'grant writing', 'data analysis', 'machine learning'
Heading Format: Use standard headings like 'Professional Experience', 'Education', 'Publications'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste a bullet point from your current resume
- Expand acronyms
- Add quantifiable results
- Reorder to action‑result format
- Insert relevant keywords
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