Your resume is your first impression with a potential employer, and in 2025 the bar is higher than ever. With AI-powered Applicant Tracking Systems scanning every application, even small mistakes can cost you an interview. Here are the ten most common resume mistakes and how to fix them.
1. Using a Generic Resume for Every Application
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending the same resume to every employer. Each job posting has unique requirements, and your resume should reflect that. Tailor your summary, skills, and bullet points to match the specific role you are targeting.
2. Ignoring ATS Keywords
Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume does not contain the right keywords from the job description, it may never reach a recruiter. Use tools like WriteCV's resume scanner to identify missing keywords.
3. Writing Job Duties Instead of Achievements
Recruiters do not want to know what you were responsible for -- they want to know what you accomplished. Replace phrases like "Responsible for managing a team" with "Led a team of 12 engineers, delivering 3 product launches ahead of schedule."
4. Poor Formatting and Design
Overly creative designs with tables, columns, graphics, and unusual fonts often break ATS parsers. Stick to clean, single-column layouts with standard headings and consistent formatting throughout.
5. Including Outdated Information
Remove experiences older than 10-15 years unless they are highly relevant. Skills like "Proficient in Microsoft Office" or "References available upon request" are outdated and waste valuable space.
6. Typos and Grammatical Errors
It sounds obvious, but typos remain one of the top reasons recruiters reject resumes. Proofread carefully, use spell-check tools, and have a friend review your resume before submitting.
7. Making It Too Long or Too Short
For most professionals, a resume should be one to two pages. New graduates can stick to one page, while senior professionals with extensive experience may warrant two. Never go beyond two pages.
8. Missing Contact Information
Always include your full name, email, phone number, LinkedIn URL, and city/state. Make sure your email address sounds professional -- no nicknames.
9. Not Quantifying Results
Whenever possible, add numbers to your achievements. Percentages, dollar amounts, team sizes, and timeframes give recruiters concrete evidence of your impact.
10. Skipping the Professional Summary
A strong 2-3 sentence summary at the top of your resume immediately tells the recruiter who you are and what you bring. Do not skip it -- and do not make it a generic "objective statement."
The Bottom Line
Your resume is a marketing document, not a biography. Every word should serve a purpose: convincing the employer that you are the right person for the job. Use WriteCV's AI tools to optimize your resume for ATS compatibility, keyword matching, and impactful language that gets results.