Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Stop You From Getting Hired (and How to Fix Them)
Your resume is often your first impression with a recruiter. In fact, studies show recruiters spend only 7–10 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to shortlist it. That means even small mistakes can cost you big opportunities.
The good news? Most resume mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to look for. In this blog, we’ll cover the top 10 resume mistakes that prevent you from getting hired — and how to fix them today.
1. Using a Generic Resume
Sending the same resume for every job application.
Recruiters can instantly spot when your resume isn’t tailored.
Generic resumes fail to highlight relevant skills for the role.
Customize your resume by matching the job description keywords with your skills and achievements.
Tools like AI-powered resume screening (used by recruiters) rely on keywords to filter applications.
2. Poor Resume Formatting
Using cluttered designs, multiple fonts, or too much colour.
Recruiters prefer clean, easy-to-read resumes. Complex formatting can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Stick to simple formatting.
Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent fonts.
A professional, well-structured layout helps both ATS and human recruiters scan quickly.
3. Overloading With Responsibilities Instead of Achievements
Listing job duties instead of measurable accomplishments.
Recruiters already know what a software engineer or marketing executive does.
They want to see impact.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and focus on outcomes.
For example:
❌ “Responsible for leading a team.”
✅ “Led a team of 5 to deliver a new feature that reduced processing time by 30%.”
4. Typos and Grammatical Errors
Misspelled words, poor grammar, or inconsistent tenses.
Errors show a lack of attention to detail, it’s a red flag for recruiters.
Proofread thoroughly.
Use grammar tools or ask a peer to review.
Remember: even one typo in your contact info can cost you an interview.
5. Including Irrelevant Information
Adding personal details (age, marital status, hobbies) or outdated skills.
Recruiters don’t need extra noise. Outdated programming languages or irrelevant hobbies dilute your resume’s impact.
Keep your resume focused on skills, certifications, and experience relevant to the job.
6. Lack of Keywords for ATS
Not including job-relevant keywords.
Most recruiters use ATS or AI recruitment tools to scan resumes.
Without the right keywords, your application may never reach a human.
Analyze the job description and naturally incorporate keywords like “data analysis,” “project management,” or “Java.”
7. Writing Long Paragraphs Instead of Bullets
Using dense blocks of text.
Recruiters skim resumes. Long paragraphs make it hard to find important details.
Use bullet points with short, impactful sentences that highlight results.
8. Using an Unprofessional Email Address
Including emails like cuteguy123@gmail.com or rockstar88@yahoo.com
It looks unprofessional and outdated.
Use a professional email (e.g., firstname.lastname@gmail.com).
9. Having Employment Gaps Without Explanation
Leaving unexplained gaps in your career timeline.
Recruiters may assume the worst if there’s no context.
Briefly explain gaps — whether you pursued education, freelancing, or personal projects. Highlight skills gained during that time.
10. Skipping a Strong Summary Section
Jumping straight into work experience without an overview.
Recruiters want a quick snapshot of who you are and what you bring.
Add a 2–3 line summary at the top with your core skills, years of experience, and career highlights.
Example:
“Marketing professional with 6+ years in SaaS, skilled in SEO, content strategy, and campaign execution with proven results in lead generation.
Final Thoughts
A great resume is not just about listing your experience, it’s about telling your story in a way that aligns with what recruiters and hiring platforms are looking for
Avoiding these 10 mistakes can dramatically improve your chances of landing interviews.
👉 Pro Tip: Recruiters today rely heavily on AI recruitment platforms like PreSecure AI to scan and shortlist resumes.
That means formatting, keywords, and clarity are more important than ever.
If you’re looking to stand out in a competitive job market, make sure your resume is optimized for both humans and AI.
If you’re unsure whether your resume is truly job-ready, don’t leave it to chance.
Reach out to us today to get your resume reviewed and optimised — so you can stand out, get noticed, and land the opportunities you deserve.