1. Weak, Vague Bullet Points

Bullet points like “Assisted with reporting” or “Worked on marketing tasks” tell recruiters almost nothing about your real contributions. In a hiring process where recruiters skim each resume for just a few seconds, unclear bullets make your achievements invisible.

Strong bullet points clearly show what you did, how you did it, and what the result was. The goal is to demonstrate measurable value—not just responsibilities.

• Use a simple pattern: Action → Task → Result
• Include metrics or percentages whenever possible
• Write with ownership: avoid “helped,” “supported,” “involved in”

Example upgrade: “Helped with monthly reports” → “Automated monthly reporting in Excel, reducing preparation time by 30% and improving team decision-making speed.”

2. No Keywords from the Job Description

Recruiters and ATS tools scan resumes for alignment with the job description. If your resume uses completely different terminology—even if you have the experience—you may get filtered out automatically.

Matching keywords doesn't mean copying the job ad. It means using the same vocabulary so the system recognizes you as relevant.

• Use the exact titles of tools and technologies (e.g., “SQL”, “Figma”)
• Place the most relevant keywords in your summary, skills, and bullets
• Mirror role-specific phrases that appear multiple times in the JD

With AI screeners comparing your resume to the JD, keyword alignment is essential for getting shortlisted.

3. Overly Complex Formatting

Multi-column layouts, icons, text boxes, charts, and decorative elements break easily in ATS systems. When the parser can't extract your content, your resume may appear blank or incomplete to the recruiter.

Simple formatting improves both readability and compatibility across devices and ATS tools.

• Use a clean single-column layout for the main content
• Avoid tables and text inside shapes for key sections
• Stick to standard fonts, sizes, and consistent spacing

A resume can still be visually appealing without sacrificing ATS safety.

4. Job Descriptions Instead of Achievements

Many resumes repeat generic job descriptions rather than showcasing real achievements. Recruiters already know what a Software Engineer, Analyst, or Manager does—they want to know what YOU achieved in those roles.

• Focus on improvements you made, not tasks you were assigned
• Show results, not duties (“increased”, “reduced”, “improved”)
• Highlight contributions that were unique to you or your approach

Achievement-driven resumes outperform responsibility-driven resumes every time.

5. Not Tailoring to the Role

Sending one generic resume to every job usually leads to rejection. Tailoring signals relevance and improves your match score in ATS systems.

You don’t need to rebuild your resume from scratch for every role, but you should adjust what you emphasize.

• Reorder bullet points to prioritize achievements relevant to the role
• Adjust your skills section to highlight must-have requirements
• Use a targeted headline or summary aligned with the job title

Even 5–10 minutes of tailoring per application can noticeably increase your interview rate.

6. Unclear Career Story

A strong resume tells a clear story of growth and direction. When your timeline looks random or inconsistent, recruiters may struggle to understand your career path or what you want next.

You don't need a perfectly linear background, but you do need a coherent narrative.

• Use your summary to clarify who you are and what roles you're targeting
• Briefly address major gaps or career shifts if they might raise questions
• Show progression in responsibility, scope, or impact over time

The clearer your story, the easier it is for recruiters to see where you fit in their team.

7. Long Paragraphs No One Reads

Recruiters skim resumes—they don't read dense text blocks. Long paragraphs bury your achievements and make it harder to spot key information quickly.

• Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs in experience sections
• Keep each bullet focused on one main idea or result
• Use white space and consistent spacing to improve readability

A resume should be scannable in under 10 seconds. Make your best content impossible to miss.

8. Typos and Inconsistent Formatting

Small errors can signal carelessness—especially in roles that require precision. Consistency in formatting is part of the first impression you create.

• Keep font sizes and styles consistent across all sections
• Use a single date format for all roles (e.g., “Jan 2022 – Mar 2024”)
• Check alignment, bullet styles, and spacing for uniformity

A polished resume builds trust before the interview even begins.

9. Missing Impact Numbers

Numbers make your achievements concrete. Without metrics, recruiters can't gauge the scale or significance of your work.

• Use percentages (e.g., “reduced errors by 40%”)
• Use volume metrics (e.g., “served 200+ customers monthly”)
• Use time savings (e.g., “cut processing time from 5 hours to 1”)

Even approximate numbers are dramatically more persuasive than none at all.

10. No Clear Skills Section

Recruiters frequently scan the skills section first. If it's missing or poorly structured, they may miss your core capabilities entirely.

A clear skills section helps both ATS and humans quickly understand your strengths.

• Group skills into categories (e.g., “Technical”, “Tools”, “Soft Skills”)
• Avoid long, uncurated lists of everything you've ever touched
• Make sure your skills reflect what the job description emphasizes

A focused skills section works as a quick snapshot of your fit for the role, backed by evidence in your experience section.