Common Resume Mistakes

Why small mistakes have big consequences

Hiring managers review hundreds of resumes for a single opening, and they are looking for reasons to narrow the field. A single typo, a formatting error, or a generic statement can be the reason your resume gets set aside — even if you are perfectly qualified for the role.

The good news is that most resume mistakes are easy to fix once you know what they are. This guide covers the most common ones, why they matter, and exactly how to avoid them. Fixing these issues can meaningfully improve your response rate without changing your actual qualifications.

Typos and grammatical errors

A single typo can get your resume rejected, even if you are perfectly qualified. It signals carelessness and lack of attention to detail — qualities that matter in almost every job. In fields like finance, law, healthcare, and writing, a typo can be an automatic disqualifier.

Proofread your resume multiple times, read it aloud (this catches errors your eyes skip over), and have a friend review it. Use a spell checker, but do not rely on it alone — it will not catch correctly spelled wrong words like "manger" instead of "manager" or "their" instead of "there."

Check for consistency: are your job titles capitalized the same way throughout? Are your date formats consistent? Do your bullet points all end with the same punctuation (or no punctuation)? These small details add up to an impression of professionalism — or the lack of it.

Generic, one-size-fits-all resumes

Sending the same resume to every employer is one of the most common and most damaging mistakes. Each job is different, and your resume should reflect that. Take 15-30 minutes to tailor your resume for each application — it significantly increases your interview rate.

A generic resume forces the hiring manager to figure out how your experience maps to their needs. A tailored resume does that work for them, making it obvious in seconds that you are a strong candidate. See our full guide on how to tailor a resume to a job description for a step-by-step process.

Focusing on duties instead of achievements

Many resumes list job duties ("responsible for managing social media accounts") instead of achievements ("grew social media following by 40% in 6 months, reaching 50K followers"). Employers want to know what you accomplished, not just what you were supposed to do. Duties tell them about the job; achievements tell them about you.

Use the formula: Action verb + what you did + measurable result. "Reduced customer wait times by 30% by implementing a new ticketing system" is far stronger than "responsible for customer service operations." The first tells the employer what you achieved; the second tells them what was on your job description.

If you are struggling to find numbers, think about scope: how many people, how much money, how much time, how many customers. Even approximate numbers add credibility and context. See our guide on how to write a resume in 2026 for more on quantifying achievements.

Including irrelevant information

Every piece of information on your resume should be relevant to the job you are applying for. Remove outdated jobs (10+ years ago unless highly relevant), unrelated hobbies, personal details (age, marital status, photo, social security number), and high school information if you have a college degree.

In the US, including personal details like age, marital status, or a photo is not just unnecessary — it can introduce bias and some employers may view it as unprofessional. US anti-discrimination laws make these details unnecessary and potentially problematic. Stick to professional information that is relevant to the role.

Be selective about what you include. A resume is not an autobiography — it is a targeted marketing document. Every line should serve the goal of getting you an interview for this specific job.

Poor formatting

Inconsistent fonts, misaligned text, and cramped layouts make your resume hard to read and suggest a lack of attention to detail. Use a clean, consistent format with plenty of white space. Stick to one or two fonts (one for headings, one for body text) in standard sizes.

Use bullet points, not paragraphs, for experience descriptions. Bullet points are easier to scan and force you to be concise. Keep your bullet points to 1-2 lines each — if a bullet is longer, you are probably trying to say too much in one point.

Make sure your resume is ATS-friendly. Avoid multi-column layouts, tables, text boxes, and graphics that ATS systems cannot parse. Our ATS-friendly templates are designed to look professional to humans while parsing reliably in major ATS platforms.

Too long or too short

A resume that is too long buries your most relevant qualifications. One that is too short may not give enough information. Aim for one page if you have under 10 years of experience, two pages for senior roles. Every line should earn its place by adding information a hiring manager needs.

If you are struggling to fit your experience on one page, cut the oldest or least relevant roles, reduce bullet points to 3 per role, and remove optional sections like volunteer work or hobbies unless they are relevant. If you are struggling to fill a page, add more detail to your experience bullets, include projects, or add relevant coursework or certifications.

Missing or incorrect contact information

Make sure your phone number and email are correct and professional. Use an email that includes your name — not a nickname or a dated handle. Include your LinkedIn profile URL and make sure your profile is up to date and consistent with your resume. If you have a portfolio or personal website relevant to your field, include that too.

A surprisingly common mistake: listing a phone number you no longer have access to or an email you rarely check. Make sure your contact information is current and that you are checking it regularly during your job search. A missed call or email can mean a missed opportunity.

Lying or exaggerating

Never lie on your resume. Inflating titles, fabricating degrees, or exaggerating achievements can get you fired after you are hired — and many employers verify information through background checks and reference calls. The risk is not worth the short-term benefit.

Be honest and focus on presenting your real experience in the best possible light. You can emphasize, reframe, and tailor — but you cannot invent. A resume that accurately represents your qualifications and is well-written will serve you better than one that exaggerates and falls apart under questioning.

Putting it all together

Most resume mistakes are avoidable with attention to detail and a bit of extra time. Proofread carefully, tailor for each application, focus on achievements, keep formatting clean, include only relevant information, and be honest. These fixes do not change your qualifications — they make sure your qualifications are clearly communicated.

Use our resume builder to create a clean, well-formatted resume and catch many of these issues automatically. Then review it against this list before you submit. For more guidance, explore our career resources section for detailed guides on every part of the resume writing process.