8 Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Author: Mike Scaletti

Your resume is often your first impression, and sometimes your only shot, at securing an interview. In today’s highly competitive job market, where hundreds of applicants can apply for a single role, even small errors can be the difference between getting a call and being overlooked. Recruiters and hiring managers often spend just six to seven seconds scanning each resume. That means clarity, relevance, and precision are more important than ever.

According to Indeed career coaches, many job seekers unknowingly sabotage their chances with easily avoidable mistakes. These mistakes aren't always glaring errors either. Some of the most damaging missteps are subtle, often hiding in plain sight. In this article, we’ll break down the eight most common and costly resume missteps, explain why they matter, and give you practical, expert-backed strategies to fix them.

1. Incomplete or Weak Contact Section

The contact section seems like the simplest part of a resume, but it’s frequently mishandled. Candidates often include outdated, irrelevant, or excessive information like full street addresses, which not only raise privacy concerns but also clutter the page.

At a minimum, your contact section should include your full name, a current phone number, and a professional email address. You should also consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile, online portfolio, or personal website. These extras offer recruiters more context about your background and demonstrate professionalism. The easier you make it for employers to learn about you, the better.

Also, double-check that your LinkedIn profile is updated and consistent with your resume. Inconsistencies can raise red flags. And don’t forget to make sure your voicemail is professional. First impressions matter, even over the phone.

2. Skipping the Resume Summary

The resume summary is your elevator pitch. It sits at the very top of your resume and serves as a preview of what you bring to the table. Yet many candidates leave it out, assuming that their experience will speak for itself. Unfortunately, this is a missed opportunity.

Craft a two to three sentence summary that highlights your most relevant strengths, years of experience, industry focus, and the unique value you offer. Tailor this summary to the job you're applying for by focusing on how your background aligns with the company's mission and goals. Avoid vague descriptors like “hard-working” or “go-getter.” Instead, emphasize quantifiable achievements and specific expertise.

Done well, your summary draws the reader in and encourages them to continue reading your resume in detail.

3. Including Hobbies or References

Many candidates think that adding personal hobbies or “references available upon request” adds a human touch to their resume. In reality, both of these additions waste valuable space that could be used to sell your qualifications.

Unless your hobbies directly relate to the job or demonstrate unique skills, such as blogging for a content marketing position, they don’t belong on your resume. Similarly, references should be reserved for a separate document and only provided when requested.

Instead, focus on content that reinforces your ability to succeed in the role. Use the space to expand on accomplishments, showcase industry-specific skills, or highlight relevant certifications.

4. Misusing the Skills Section

The skills section is crucial, especially for ATS optimization, but many applicants either list too many skills or include ones that are too generic. Listing a dozen vague traits like “team player” or “good communicator” doesn’t help you stand out.

Choose no more than five to seven highly relevant, role-specific skills and customize them for each application. Pull language directly from the job posting to align your resume with the employer’s expectations. This can improve your chances of passing ATS filters.

Additionally, consider the placement of the skills section. If you're in a technical field like IT or engineering, place it near the top. For general business roles, it can go further down after your experience.

5. Inconsistent or Overly Designed Layout

A polished layout signals professionalism. Yet resumes often suffer from poor formatting: inconsistent bullet points, multiple fonts, irregular spacing, or garish design elements.

Stick to a clean, easy-to-read layout with consistent font sizes and margin spacing. Use standard section headings and align your bullet points. Avoid using colored fonts, images, and especially headshots, which not only distract but can cause your resume to be rejected by ATS software.

While design-heavy templates may look appealing, they often perform poorly when parsed by ATS. Simplicity and structure should be your guiding principles.

6. Listing Duties Instead of Impact

A common pitfall is treating the work experience section like a list of job duties. Recruiters already know what a sales associate or marketing coordinator generally does. They want to know what you accomplished.

Focus on outcomes rather than responsibilities. Use strong, active verbs to begin each bullet point (e.g., led, created, improved, increased). Where possible, include data and metrics. For example, “Improved customer retention by 25% over 12 months” shows measurable impact and suggests strategic thinking.

Frame your experience around the results you delivered and the problems you solved. This helps the hiring manager visualize you making a difference in their organization.

7. Ignoring Unpaid or Part-Time Relevant Experience

Many early-career professionals or career changers hesitate to include volunteer work, internships, or part-time roles on their resumes. But relevance always outweighs compensation.

If you’ve gained skills or achieved results through unpaid opportunities, such as managing social media for a nonprofit or coordinating logistics for a local event, highlight those experiences. Treat them with the same respect and format as paid jobs.

Employers value initiative and versatility. Showing that you’ve taken the time to develop your skills, regardless of pay, reflects positively on your work ethic and dedication.

8. Using a One-Size-Fits-All Resume

Perhaps the most damaging mistake of all is using the same resume for every application. Recruiters can spot a generic resume instantly, and Applicant Tracking Systems are programmed to filter out applications that don’t match job-specific keywords.

Tailoring your resume means more than just swapping out a job title. It involves analyzing the job description, identifying the key skills and responsibilities, and aligning your own experience and language accordingly. Use the same terminology where appropriate.

Additionally, keep in mind that recruiters may not be experts in your previous field. Make your accomplishments and relevance easy to understand. Spell out how your background fits the needs of this new opportunity.

Resume writing isn’t about cramming every detail of your career into a single page... it’s about crafting a focused, compelling story that shows employers why you're the right person for the job. Each section of your resume should be intentional and refined to present your qualifications in the best possible light.

Avoiding these eight common mistakes can make a dramatic difference in how your resume performs. Take the time to edit, update, and tailor your resume for each application, and you'll increase your chances of landing that all-important interview.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're not sure where to start or want a second opinion, book a meeting with a Job Shop recruiter and they can help you identify areas of improvement and give you actionable advice to elevate your resume.

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