RESUME MISTAKES
Avoid Costly Surveyor Resume Mistakes
Learn the exact fixes that get your resume past ATS and impress hiring managers in the land surveying field.
How This Page Helps
This page helps surveyors identify and correct frequent resume errors, ensuring their experience and certifications shine through and pass ATS filters.
Identify the top 5 resume pitfalls for surveyors
Understand why each mistake hurts your candidacy
Get step‑by‑step rewrite examples
Learn ATS‑friendly formatting tips
Access a quick‑fix workshop to polish your resume instantly
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Missing Professional Licenses & CertificationsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t verify your legal ability to practice
- ATS often scans for license numbers and keywords
- You appear less qualified than competitors
How to fix
- Create a dedicated 'Licenses & Certifications' section
- List your state license number, issuing authority, and expiration date
- Include relevant certifications like PMP, GIS, or OSHA
❌ Before
John Doe – Surveyor Experience: 5 years in construction
✓ After
John Doe Licensed Professional Surveyor (License #123456, State of Texas, Expires 12/2026) Certified GIS Professional (GISP)
ATS Tip
Use exact license titles and numbers; avoid abbreviations
Detection Rules
No section titled 'Licenses', 'Certifications', or missing license numbers
Keyword search for 'licensed', 'certified' returns none
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags missing license fields and suggests a formatted block.
Vague Project DescriptionsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Doesn’t demonstrate measurable impact
- ATS may miss key technical terms
- Hiring managers can’t gauge scale of work
How to fix
- Quantify acreage surveyed, project budgets, and outcomes
- Include specific software used (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D)
- Highlight regulatory compliance achievements
❌ Before
Conducted land surveys for residential developments.
✓ After
Conducted 150+ land surveys covering 2,300 acres for residential developments, delivering 98% accuracy using AutoCAD Civil 3D and ensuring compliance with local zoning regulations.
ATS Tip
Insert keywords like 'topographic', 'boundary', 'GIS', 'Cadastral'
Detection Rules
Bullet points lack numbers or software names
Length < 10 words per project description
Resumly Tip
Resumly suggests adding metrics and software tags.
Improper Date FormattingLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may fail to parse employment dates
- Creates visual inconsistency
- Confuses recruiters about timeline
How to fix
- Use month-year format (MM/YYYY)
- Keep dates aligned to the right
- Avoid words like 'Present'—use 'Present' capitalized
❌ Before
June 2018 – Current
✓ After
06/2018 – Present
ATS Tip
Standardize to MM/YYYY for all entries
Detection Rules
Date strings contain full month names or inconsistent separators
Mixed formats across entries
Resumly Tip
Resumly normalizes dates to MM/YYYY automatically.
Omitting Geographic ScopeMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Surveyors' value is tied to region expertise
- ATS may miss location keywords
- Recruiters can’t assess fit for local projects
How to fix
- Add a 'Geographic Expertise' line
- Mention states, counties, or terrain types
- Tie scope to project outcomes
❌ Before
Worked on various projects across the US.
✓ After
Geographic Expertise: Texas (Hill Country), Oklahoma (Plains), and Louisiana (Coastal wetlands) – Delivered 30+ boundary surveys in each region.
ATS Tip
Include state abbreviations and terrain descriptors as keywords
Detection Rules
No mention of specific locations or regions
Generic phrase 'various projects' present
Resumly Tip
Resumly prompts to add a location expertise section.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Licenses & Certifications, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Technical Skills, Geographic Expertise
Naming: FirstName LastName – Surveyor Resume
Consistency
Length: 1‑2 pages (max 2 pages for experienced surveyors)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State (e.g., Austin, TX)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Include a clear license number
- Quantify every project
- Use MM/YYYY dates
- List GIS and CAD software
- Add geographic expertise
- Keep resume under 2 pages
- Use bullet points with action verbs
- Save as PDF with searchable text
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, Lever
Keyword Strategy: Include terms like 'topographic survey', 'boundary staking', 'GIS mapping', 'AutoCAD Civil 3D', 'state licensure', 'Cadastral', 'construction staking'
Heading Format: Use standard headings such as 'Professional Experience', 'Licenses & Certifications', 'Technical Skills'
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Surveyor resume text
- Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
- Add missing Licenses & Certifications section
- Insert measurable metrics into project bullets
- Create Geographic Expertise line
- Convert to ATS‑friendly headings
Ready to transform your Surveyor resume? Get our free fix guide now!
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