RESUME MISTAKES

Stop Losing Site Supervisor Jobs to Resume Mistakes

Identify and correct the errors that keep your resume from landing interviews on construction sites.

How This Page Helps
This page helps Site Supervisors understand the critical resume pitfalls that prevent them from getting interview calls and provides step‑by‑step fixes to create an ATS‑friendly, results‑driven document.
Spot the most damaging resume errors specific to site supervision
Learn why each mistake hurts your candidacy
Apply proven fixes with real‑world before/after examples
Align your resume with construction‑industry ATS requirements

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances

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

Vague or Incorrect Job TitleHIGH
Why it hurts
  • Hiring managers and ATS scan for the exact title ‘Site Supervisor’ or related terms
  • A generic title like ‘Construction Worker’ lowers relevance score
  • It obscures your level of responsibility
How to fix
  • Replace vague titles with ‘Site Supervisor’, ‘Construction Site Supervisor’, or ‘Field Supervisor’
  • Add a seniority qualifier if appropriate (e.g., ‘Senior Site Supervisor’)
  • Include a brief subtitle that highlights scope (e.g., ‘Oversaw 5‑person crew on commercial projects’)
❌ Before

Construction Worker – ABC Builders

✓ After

Site Supervisor – ABC Builders (Managed 5‑person crew on commercial projects)

ATS Tip
Use exact title keywords: ‘Site Supervisor’, ‘Construction Supervisor’, ‘Field Supervisor’
Detection Rules
title does not contain 'Supervisor'
title length < 10 characters
Resumly Tip
Match the job title to the posting; exact wording boosts ATS match.
Missing Quantifiable AchievementsHIGH
Why it hurts
  • Bullet points without numbers provide no evidence of impact
  • ATS often looks for metrics like % improvement or budget size
  • Hiring managers can’t gauge your effectiveness
How to fix
  • Add numbers: % of schedule adherence, budget size, crew size, safety record
  • Use the formula: Action + Metric + Result
  • Keep each bullet under 2 lines
❌ Before

- Managed daily site operations and ensured safety compliance.

✓ After

- Managed daily site operations for a $3M commercial build, achieving 98% schedule adherence and zero lost‑time incidents over 12 months.

ATS Tip
Include keywords with numbers (e.g., ‘$3M budget’, ‘98% schedule adherence’)
Detection Rules
bullet points lack digits
no mention of percentages or dollar amounts
Resumly Tip
Quantify every responsibility; numbers catch both ATS and recruiters.
Omitting Safety Certifications (OSHA, First Aid)MEDIUM
Why it hurts
  • Construction employers prioritize safety credentials
  • ATS keyword lists often include ‘OSHA 30‑hour’ and ‘First Aid Certified’
  • Missing certifications can make you appear underqualified
How to fix
  • Create a dedicated ‘Certifications & Safety Training’ section
  • List certifications with issuing organization and date
  • Use standard naming: ‘OSHA 30‑Hour Construction Safety Certification’
❌ Before

- Ensured site safety protocols were followed.

✓ After

- Ensured site safety protocols were followed. **Certifications:** OSHA 30‑Hour Construction Safety (2023), First Aid/CPR Certified (2022)

ATS Tip
Add exact certification names as keywords
Detection Rules
no section titled 'Certifications'
absence of 'OSHA' keyword
Resumly Tip
A clear certifications section signals compliance and boosts ATS relevance.
Inconsistent Formatting & Long ParagraphsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
  • ATS may misread irregular bullet symbols or spacing
  • Recruiters skim; dense paragraphs cause them to miss key info
  • Unprofessional look reduces credibility
How to fix
  • Use standard bullet points (• or –) consistently
  • Keep each bullet to one line (max 2 lines)
  • Align margins and use a single, clean font (e.g., Arial 11)
❌ Before

Managed crew scheduling, material procurement, and daily safety briefings. Coordinated with subcontractors to ensure timely delivery of supplies and maintained project documentation.

✓ After

• Managed crew scheduling for 5‑person team • Coordinated material procurement, reducing lead time by 15% • Conducted daily safety briefings, achieving zero LTI incidents

ATS Tip
Plain text with simple bullets parses best
Detection Rules
mixed bullet characters
paragraphs longer than 2 sentences
Resumly Tip
Uniform formatting ensures both ATS and human readers extract information quickly.
Not Tailoring Resume to Construction Management KeywordsHIGH
Why it hurts
  • Generic resumes miss industry‑specific terms that ATS rank highly
  • Keywords like ‘project scheduling’, ‘subcontractor coordination’, ‘budget control’ are often required
  • Low keyword density reduces match score
How to fix
  • Review at least three Site Supervisor job ads and extract top 10 keywords
  • Integrate those keywords naturally throughout headings and bullet points
  • Use the ‘Core Competencies’ section to list them explicitly
❌ Before

- Oversaw daily construction activities. - Managed team performance. - Handled client communications.

✓ After

- Oversaw daily construction activities, focusing on **project scheduling** and **subcontractor coordination**. - Managed team performance, achieving **budget control** within a $3M project. - Handled client communications, ensuring **safety compliance** and **quality assurance**. - **Core Competencies:** Site Supervision, Project Scheduling, Budget Management, OSHA Compliance, Subcontractor Coordination

ATS Tip
Place top keywords in headings and early bullet points
Detection Rules
absence of keywords like 'project scheduling','budget','OSHA'
Resumly Tip
Embedding high‑impact keywords boosts ATS ranking and catches recruiter eyes.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Safety Training
Naming: FirstName_LastName_SiteSupervisor.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State
Resume Quality Checklist
  • Use the exact title ‘Site Supervisor’ or a close variant
  • Quantify every achievement with numbers or percentages
  • Add a dedicated Certifications & Safety Training section
  • Keep formatting clean: uniform bullets, single font, consistent margins
  • Include at least 8 industry‑specific keywords
  • Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: site supervision, project scheduling, subcontractor coordination, OSHA 30, safety compliance, budget management, crew leadership, quality assurance
Heading Format: Use standard headings such as ‘Professional Experience’, ‘Core Competencies’, and ‘Certifications’
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Site Supervisor resume text below
  • Standardize headings to match industry norms
  • Insert quantifiable metrics where missing
  • Add OSHA 30‑Hour and First Aid certifications
  • Convert all dates to MM/YYYY format
  • Replace varied bullet symbols with simple dashes
  • Optimize each bullet with top construction keywords
Download Checklist PDF
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