12 Resume Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. Your resume is your first chance to make a great impression on potential employers. Even a small mistake can cost you an opportunity, while a well-crafted resume can help you stand out from other candidates.
Below, we’ll discuss 12 common resume mistakes, why they matter, and, most importantly, how to fix them in detail to boost your chances of landing a job.
12 Resume Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Spelling & Grammar Errors
Why It’s a Problem: A resume with typos or grammar mistakes gives the impression that you lack attention to detail or professionalism. Employers may assume you will make similar mistakes on the job.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Proofread multiple times. Don’t just rely on spell-check software. Read your resume carefully, word by word and line by line.
✔ Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to catch mistakes.
✔ Read it out loud—this helps identify awkward phrasing or missing words.
✔ Ask someone else to review it—a fresh pair of eyes can spot errors you might have missed.
✔ Print it out—reading on paper often helps catch mistakes that aren’t obvious on a screen.
2. Using a Generic Resume for Every Job
Why It’s a Problem: Employers seek candidates whose experience and skills match their job posting. A one-size-fits-all resume makes you look disinterested and unfocused.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Customize your resume for each application using keywords from the job description.
✔ Highlight relevant experience—don’t include every job you’ve ever had. Focus on the ones that are most closely related to the role.
✔ Adjust your summary statement to align with each employer’s needs.
✔ Use the same job title mentioned in the job description—this improves Applicant Tracking System (ATS) ranking
3. Not Highlighting Key Achievements
Why It’s a Problem: A resume that only lists responsibilities doesn’t show how you made an impact in previous roles. Employers want to see measurable success.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Instead of just listing duties, show results with quantifiable achievements (e.g., “Increased sales by 30% in six months”).
✔ Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to craft impactful bullet points.
✔ Use strong action verbs like Led, Developed, Increased, Reduced, and Managed instead of weak words like “Assisted” or “Helped.
4. Poor Formatting & Layout
Why It’s a Problem: Messy formatting makes it hard to read, and recruiters will likely skip over a cluttered resume.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Use a clean, modern font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Lato). Avoid script or fancy fonts.
✔ Keep the font size between 10-12 points for body text and 14-16 points for section headings.
✔ Use consistent formatting—bold job titles, italicize company names, and use bullet points for descriptions.
✔ Use white space effectively—leave enough margin space for readability.
✔ Stick to a one-page resume (for entry-level jobs) or two pages (for experienced professionals).
5. Including Irrelevant Work Experience
Why It’s a Problem: Hiring managers don’t need unrelated work experience that doesn’t showcase relevant skills. It makes your resume unfocused and cluttered.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Only list relevant experience—focus on jobs, internships, or projects that align with the position.
✔ If changing careers, emphasize transferable skills (e.g., leadership, problem-solving, teamwork).
✔ For students or freshers, highlight internships, certifications, or freelance projects instead of unrelated jobs.
6. Listing Duties Instead of Achievements
Why It’s a Problem: Recruiters want to see results, not just a list of tasks you performed.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Instead of saying “Managed social media accounts”, say “Grew social media engagement by 50% in six months.”
✔ Use numbers and percentages to show impact.
✔ Start each bullet point with an action verb and avoid passive phrasing.
7. Using an Unprofessional Email Address
Why It’s a Problem: An unprofessional email address like coolguy123@gmail.com or princess_kitty@yahoo.com can hurt your credibility.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Use a simple, professional email address like firstnamelastname@gmail.com.
✔ Avoid using nicknames, special characters, or numbers that are hard to remember.
8. Making Your Resume Too Long
Why It’s a Problem: Recruiters skim resumes in 6–10 seconds. If it’s too long, they may miss key information.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Keep it 1 page (for freshers) and 2 pages max (for experienced professionals).
✔ Summarize older jobs in 1-2 bullet points.
✔ Remove outdated skills (e.g., Microsoft Word proficiency is now assumed).
9. Failing to Use Keywords
Why It’s a Problem: Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that filter out resumes without the right keywords.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Find keywords in the job description and naturally include them in your resume.
✔ Use job title-specific phrases (e.g., “SEO Optimization” for digital marketing roles).
✔ Avoid keyword stuffing—use them naturally.
10. Adding Too Much Personal Information
Why It’s a Problem: Employers don’t need to know about your marital status, religion, or hobbies unless they are relevant.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Include only essential information—Name, Phone, Email, LinkedIn profile.
✔ Remove irrelevant personal details to save space.
11. Not Including a Strong Summary or Objective
Why It’s a Problem: A weak or missing career summary means recruiters won’t immediately see your value.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Write a 2-3 sentence summary showcasing your skills, experience, and career goals.
✔ Example:
✅ Results-driven digital marketer with 5+ years of experience in SEO, PPC, and content marketing. Proven track record of increasing website traffic by 200%.”
12. Not Updating Your Resume Regularly
Why It’s a Problem: If your resume does not reflect your latest experience, you might miss out on job opportunities.
How to Fix Resume Mistakes:
✔ Update your resume every 6 months with new skills, certifications, and experience.
✔ Keep a master resume and tweak it for each application.
Final Thoughts
Your resume is your ticket to your dream job. Avoiding these 12 common mistakes will increase your chances of making a great first impression.
🔹 Proofread your resume carefully.
🔹 Use a clean and professional layout.
🔹 Tailor your resume for each job application.
🔹 Highlight your achievements, not just duties.
Need help with your resume? Let Mahad Manpower assist you in crafting a winning CV and securing top job opportunities.