RESUME MISTAKES
Stop Technical Writer Resume Mistakes From Holding You Back
Identify and correct the most common errors that keep hiring managers and ATS from noticing your expertise.
How This Page Helps
This page helps technical writers spot frequent resume mistakes, understand why they matter, and apply proven fixes to improve ATS compatibility and recruiter appeal.
Spot vague language that dilutes your impact
Eliminate outdated formatting that confuses ATS
Showcase measurable documentation achievements
Align your resume with industry-specific keywords
Create a clean, scannable layout for hiring managers
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
Using generic job titlesMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Hiring managers can’t see your seniority
- ATS may not match your role to the job posting
How to fix
- Replace generic titles with specific ones like 'Senior Technical Writer' or 'API Documentation Specialist'
- Add a brief descriptor of scope
❌ Before
Technical Writer at XYZ Corp
✓ After
Senior Technical Writer – Documentation Lead, XYZ Corp
ATS Tip
Include the exact title from the job description to boost keyword match
Detection Rules
title contains only 'Technical Writer' without qualifier
no seniority indicator
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags generic titles and suggests role-specific alternatives.
Missing quantifiable resultsHIGH
Why it hurts
- Resume looks like a list of duties
- Recruiters miss evidence of impact
How to fix
- Add numbers: % reduction in documentation errors, number of manuals created, user adoption rates
- Use action verbs and metrics
❌ Before
Created user guides for software products.
✓ After
Authored 12 user guides for SaaS platform, reducing support tickets by 18%.
ATS Tip
Include keywords like 'reduced', 'increased', 'managed', plus numbers.
Detection Rules
bullet points lack digits or percentages
verbs are generic
Resumly Tip
Resumly scans for missing metrics and suggests where to insert numbers.
Overloading with jargon and acronymsLOW
Why it hurts
- ATS may not recognize uncommon abbreviations
- Hiring managers may need to decode your language
How to fix
- Spell out acronyms on first use
- Balance technical terms with plain language
❌ Before
Maintained API docs using Swagger, OpenAPI, and RAML.
✓ After
Maintained API documentation using Swagger (OpenAPI) and RAML, improving developer onboarding speed.
ATS Tip
Write full term first, then acronym in parentheses.
Detection Rules
bullets contain >2 capitalized acronyms without explanation
Resumly Tip
Resumly highlights unexplained acronyms and offers expansions.
Incorrect file format or namingMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- ATS may reject PDF if not text-based
- Hiring manager may overlook poorly named file
How to fix
- Save as PDF (text layer) or .docx
- Name file: FirstName_LastName_TechnicalWriter.pdf
❌ Before
Resume.pdf
✓ After
JaneDoe_TechnicalWriter.pdf
ATS Tip
Avoid images-only PDFs; ensure selectable text.
Detection Rules
file extension not .pdf or .docx
filename lacks role keyword
Resumly Tip
Resumly checks uploaded resume for proper format and naming.
Unclear career progressionMEDIUM
Why it hurts
- Recruiters can’t see growth
- ATS may not map dates correctly
How to fix
- List positions chronologically with clear dates
- Add brief achievement summary for each role
❌ Before
Technical Writer, 2018-2022
✓ After
Technical Writer → Senior Technical Writer, Jan 2018 – Dec 2022
ATS Tip
Use month-year format (MMM YYYY) for better parsing.
Detection Rules
date range missing month
single title for multiple years
Resumly Tip
Resumly flags vague timelines and suggests detailed progression.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF (text-based), DOCX
Sections: Header with contact info, Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications, Tools & Technologies
Naming: FirstName_LastName_TechnicalWriter.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1–2 pages for most technical writer roles; 2 pages acceptable for senior positions
Date Format: MMM YYYY (e.g., Jan 2020)
Location Format: City, State (optional country)
Resume Quality Checklist
- Use a clear, keyword-rich professional summary
- Show measurable achievements for each role
- Include relevant tools (e.g., MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker)
- Format dates as MMM YYYY
- Save as text-based PDF and name file correctly
- Proofread for spelling and grammar
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, Taleo
Keyword Strategy: Include terms like 'documentation lifecycle', 'API reference', 'content strategy', 'MadCap Flare', 'structured authoring', 'single-source publishing'
Heading Format: Use standard headings: Professional Summary, Core Competencies, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste your current Technical Writer resume text
- Replace generic titles with specific role descriptors
- Add quantifiable metrics to each bullet
- Expand first-use acronyms
- Standardize date and location formats
- Rename file according to naming convention
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