RESUME MISTAKES

Elevate Your Satellite Technician Resume

Fix the hidden errors that keep hiring managers from seeing your expertise in orbit and ground systems.

How This Page Helps
This page helps satellite technicians identify frequent resume pitfalls, understand why they hurt their job prospects, and apply concrete fixes to improve ATS compatibility and recruiter appeal.
Spot the most common formatting and content errors specific to aerospace and satellite roles
Learn why each mistake reduces your chances of passing ATS filters
Apply step‑by‑step fixes with real before‑and‑after examples
Use our checklist and mini‑workshop to polish your resume in minutes

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances

Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples

Missing or Vague Technical KeywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
  • ATS scans for industry‑specific terms and skips resumes lacking them
  • Recruiters skim for key competencies and may overlook generic language
How to fix
  • Research the job posting and list required satellite systems (e.g., Ka‑band, LEO, GEO)
  • Add those exact terms to your Technical Skills and Work Experience sections
  • Quantify your work with relevant metrics (e.g., "tested 15 Ka‑band transponders")
❌ Before

Responsible for testing satellite equipment and performing maintenance.

✓ After

Performed RF testing on 15 Ka‑band transponders, achieving 99.8% signal integrity for LEO missions.

ATS Tip
Include exact model numbers and standards (e.g., CCSDS, ITU) to match ATS keyword libraries.
Detection Rules
Keyword density below 1% for "satellite", "RF", "Ka‑band"
No mention of specific satellite platforms
Resumly Tip
Use our keyword extractor to automatically insert top satellite‑tech terms.
Improper Date FormattingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
  • ATS may fail to recognize employment dates, causing gaps in chronology
  • Hiring managers can’t quickly assess tenure
How to fix
  • Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY
  • Place dates on the right side of each entry for easy scanning
❌ Before

June 2018 – Present

✓ After

06/2018 – Present

ATS Tip
Consistent MM/YYYY format ensures ATS parses dates correctly.
Detection Rules
Dates appear as "June 2018" or "2018 – Present"
Mixed month formats within the same resume
Resumly Tip
Our date‑formatter tool will convert any date style to MM/YYYY instantly.
Overly Long Objective StatementLOW
Why it hurts
  • Objective sections are often ignored by ATS and recruiters
  • Consumes valuable space that could showcase achievements
How to fix
  • Replace the objective with a concise Professional Summary (2‑3 lines)
  • Highlight your years of experience, key satellite systems, and career goal
❌ Before

Objective: To obtain a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and grow professionally.

✓ After

Professional Summary: Satellite Technician with 5+ years supporting Ka‑band payloads for LEO and GEO missions. Proven track record in RF testing, troubleshooting, and on‑site maintenance, seeking to drive mission success at a leading aerospace firm.

ATS Tip
Summaries that include target keywords improve relevance scores.
Detection Rules
Presence of "Objective:" heading
Length exceeds 2 sentences
Resumly Tip
Swap the Objective heading with a pre‑written summary template tailored for satellite roles.
Unclear Job Titles and ResponsibilitiesHIGH
Why it hurts
  • Hiring managers may not understand the scope of your role
  • ATS may misclassify your experience if titles are non‑standard
How to fix
  • Use industry‑standard titles (e.g., "Satellite Communications Technician")
  • Bullet each responsibility with action verbs and measurable outcomes
❌ Before

Worked on satellite projects and helped with maintenance tasks.

✓ After

Satellite Communications Technician – Executed preventive maintenance on 12 LEO satellites, reducing unscheduled downtime by 22% and documented all procedures per NASA standards.

ATS Tip
Exact titles improve keyword matching and role relevance.
Detection Rules
Generic titles like "Technician" without qualifier
Bullets lacking quantifiable results
Resumly Tip
Our title optimizer suggests the most ATS‑friendly satellite technician titles.
Missing Certifications and ClearancesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
  • Aerospace employers prioritize certifications (e.g., FCC, ITU) and security clearances
  • Absence may cause your resume to be filtered out
How to fix
  • Create a dedicated Certifications section
  • List each certification with issuing body and date
❌ Before

Certifications: None listed.

✓ After

Certifications: FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (2022), ITU Radio Regulations Certification (2021), Secret Security Clearance (Active)

ATS Tip
Include certification names exactly as they appear in job ads.
Detection Rules
No "Certifications" heading
Clearance information omitted
Resumly Tip
Add missing certifications automatically from your profile with one click.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Technical Skills, Work Experience, Education, Certifications, Projects
Naming: FirstName_LastName_SatelliteTechnician_Resume
Consistency
Length: One page for early‑career technicians; two pages for senior roles with extensive project history
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State, Country
Resume Quality Checklist
  • Use a clean, sans‑serif font (10‑12 pt)
  • Include a professional email and LinkedIn URL
  • Standardize all dates to MM/YYYY
  • Add at least 8 relevant satellite‑technology keywords
  • Quantify achievements with numbers or percentages
  • List certifications and clearances in a separate section
  • Save the final file as PDF with a descriptive filename
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Satellite communications, RF testing, payload integration, orbital mechanics, Ka‑band, LEO, GEO, troubleshooting, maintenance, FCC license, ITU certification
Heading Format: Use standard headings like "Professional Summary", "Technical Skills", "Work Experience"
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current resume text into the box below
  • Remove generic objective
  • Add quantifiable achievements
  • Standardize date format
  • Insert top satellite‑tech keywords
  • Create a Certifications section
Download Checklist PDF
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