RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Letting Resume Mistakes Keep You Out of the Workshop
Learn the exact fixes that turn a plain shoemaker CV into a hiring magnet.
How This Page Helps
Help shoemakers identify and correct the most damaging resume mistakes so they can showcase their craftsmanship and land better-paying jobs.
Spot hidden errors that ATSs reject
Learn industry‑specific keyword strategies
See before‑and‑after resume transformations
Get a printable checklist for quick self‑audit
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using a Generic Job TitleHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see your specialty
- ATS filters for specific trade titles
- Reduces perceived expertise
How to fix
- Replace "Footwear Worker" with "Custom Shoemaker" or "Master Leather Cobbler"
- Add a subtitle that highlights niche (e.g., "Specialist in Hand‑Stitched Leather Boots")
- Align title with keywords from job ads
❌ Before
Footwear Worker at XYZ Company (2018‑2023)
✓ After
Master Shoemaker – Custom Leather Footwear at XYZ Company (2018‑2023)
ATS Tip
Exact match of titles like "Shoemaker", "Cobbler", or "Footwear Artisan" improves keyword density.
Detection Rules
Title does not contain "Shoemaker" or related trade term
Length < 3 words and generic
Resumly Tip
Swap generic titles for precise trade names to catch both recruiters and bots.
Listing Duties Instead of AchievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Fails to demonstrate impact
- ATS looks for quantifiable results
- Recruiters skim for numbers
How to fix
- Turn each duty into a result‑focused bullet
- Add metrics (e.g., pairs produced, time saved, revenue generated)
- Use action verbs like "crafted", "restored", "increased"
❌ Before
- Made leather shoes for customers. - Repaired worn soles. - Managed inventory.
✓ After
- Crafted 150+ custom leather shoes per month, achieving a 98% client satisfaction rate. - Restored 200+ worn soles, reducing turnaround time by 30%. - Optimized inventory, cutting material waste by 15% and saving $4,200 annually.
ATS Tip
Include numbers and keywords such as "crafted", "produced", "restored" to satisfy ATS parsing rules.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with "Responsible for" or "Did"
No numeric data present
Resumly Tip
Replace vague duties with concrete achievements backed by numbers.
Missing Craftsmanship KeywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
- ATS may discard the resume before a human sees it
- Recruiters think you lack relevant skills
- Reduces SEO for your online profile
How to fix
- Research top shoemaking job ads and extract keywords (e.g., "last‑minute repairs", "pattern drafting", "sole attachment")
- Insert them naturally in the Summary and Skills sections
- Create a dedicated "Key Skills" list with those terms
❌ Before
Key Skills: Sewing, Customer Service, Time Management
✓ After
Key Skills: Hand‑Stitched Leather, Pattern Drafting, Sole Attachment, Last‑Minute Repairs, Custom Fit Adjustments, Leather Conditioning
ATS Tip
Aim for 5‑7 core keywords; repeat them in both the Summary and Experience sections for maximum ATS visibility.
Detection Rules
Skills section lacks industry‑specific terms
No mention of "leather", "sole", or "pattern"
Resumly Tip
Add a targeted keyword block to ensure ATS recognition.
Poor Formatting & Unreadable LayoutMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to parse sections
- Hiring managers lose interest quickly
- Important info can be missed
How to fix
- Use a clean, single‑column layout with standard headings
- Save as PDF with embedded fonts
- Limit fonts to two professional types and use bullet points consistently
❌ Before
[Huge block of text with varied fonts, no headings, left‑aligned dates]
✓ After
Professional Summary Key Skills Work Experience Education Portfolio (link) – all clearly separated with bold headings and consistent bullet style
ATS Tip
Standard headings like "Professional Experience" and "Education" are recognized by all major ATS platforms.
Detection Rules
Multiple font types
Missing standard headings
Dates not in MM/YYYY
Resumly Tip
Adopt a simple, ATS‑friendly template with uniform fonts and clear section titles.
No Portfolio or Work Samples LinkLOW
Why it hurts
- Shoemaking is visual; recruiters want proof of skill
- Missed chance to differentiate from competitors
- ATS may lower relevance score for missing supporting evidence
How to fix
- Create an online portfolio (e.g., Behance, personal site) showcasing finished shoes, sketches, and client testimonials
- Add a short, clickable URL in the Contact Information section
- Mention the portfolio in the Summary with a call‑to‑action
❌ Before
Contact: john.doe@email.com | 555‑123‑4567
✓ After
Contact: john.doe@email.com | 555‑123‑4567 | Portfolio: www.johndoe-shoes.com
ATS Tip
Include the URL as plain text (no hyperlink markup) so ATS can read it.
Detection Rules
No URL present in contact block
Resumly Tip
Add a concise portfolio link to let recruiters see your craftsmanship instantly.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Key Skills, Work Experience, Education, Portfolio
Naming: FirstName_LastName_Shoemaker_Resume
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a precise title like "Master Shoemaker"
- Quantify every achievement with numbers
- Include 5‑7 shoemaking keywords
- Apply a clean, single‑column layout
- Add a clickable portfolio URL
- Save as PDF with embedded fonts
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday
Keyword Strategy: custom leather shoes, pattern drafting, sole attachment, last‑minute repairs, client fittings, hand‑stitched footwear
Heading Format: Use standard headings such as "Professional Experience", "Key Skills", and "Education"
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current shoemaker resume text below
- Replace generic titles with trade‑specific ones
- Add quantifiable results to each bullet
- Insert top industry keywords
- Reformat headings and dates
- Add a portfolio link
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