Discover the common errors that get resumes rejected and learn how to fix them to dramatically improve your job application success rate.
The most common resume mistakes that lead to rejection:
76%
Unprofessional email address
88%
Spelling and grammar errors
79%
Generic, non-tailored content
75%
Poor formatting and organization
70%
Missing keywords from job description
63%
Unexplained employment gaps
Important: According to a recent survey of hiring managers, 75% of resumes are screened out by Applicant Tracking Systems before a human ever sees them, and 88% of the resumes that do reach recruiters are rejected within 6-10 seconds due to common mistakes.
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See how small changes can dramatically improve your resume's effectiveness
"Responsible for managing a team of sales representatives and handling customer accounts."
"Led a team of 6 sales representatives that exceeded quarterly targets by 28%, while improving customer retention rate from 76% to 94% through personalized account management."
The correction quantifies the achievement (28% above targets, 18% improvement in retention) and specifies the team size while using a strong action verb (Led).
"Excellent communication skills and attention to detail."
"Leveraged strong communication skills to negotiate vendor contracts, reducing supply costs by 15% while maintaining quality standards through detailed specification analysis."
Rather than claiming skills, the correction demonstrates them through a specific achievement with measurable results (15% cost reduction).
"Team Member, XYZ Company (2018-2020)"
"Marketing Analyst (promoted from Marketing Assistant), XYZ Company (May 2018-December 2020)"
The correction provides a specific, professional title, shows career progression, and includes precise dates rather than just years.
"Updated company website content and managed social media accounts."
"Increased web traffic by 43% by implementing SEO best practices and grew social media following by 10,000+ followers across platforms through targeted content strategy."
The correction focuses on the measurable outcomes (43% traffic increase, 10,000+ followers) rather than just listing tasks performed.
"Proficient in Python, SQL, Excel, and data visualization."
"Applied Python and SQL to automate data pipeline that reduced reporting time from 40 hours to 4 hours monthly; created interactive Excel dashboards that visualized KPIs for C-suite decision-making."
The correction shows how the technical skills were applied to solve specific problems and deliver tangible benefits (90% time reduction, executive decision support).
Errors that prevent your resume from passing Applicant Tracking Systems
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software used by 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of smaller employers to screen resumes before a human sees them. These systems reject 75% of applications automatically, often due to simple formatting or keyword issues that can be easily fixed.
ATS cannot parse information in tables, columns, headers/footers, or text boxes
Fix: Use a single-column layout with standard sections and simple formatting
ATS may not recognize custom headings like 'Professional Journey' instead of 'Experience'
Fix: Use conventional section titles: 'Experience', 'Education', 'Skills', 'Certifications'
ATS cannot read text embedded in images or graphics
Fix: Ensure all information is in text format, not in images, logos, or infographics
ATS ranks resumes based on keyword matches with the job posting
Fix: Incorporate key terms from the job description naturally throughout your resume
Some ATS struggle with certain file types or PDFs with security settings
Fix: Submit as .docx or simple PDF; ensure PDF is text-based, not scanned
Special characters can appear as garbled text in ATS systems
Fix: Stick to standard characters; avoid bullets like ✓ ► in favor of standard round bullets
Visual and structural errors that make your resume difficult to read or unprofessional
Using different fonts, spacing, bullet styles, or alignments throughout your resume.
Creates a disorganized, unprofessional impression and suggests lack of attention to detail.
58% of recruiters reject resumes with inconsistent formatting.
Making your resume difficult to scan quickly with tiny fonts, dense text blocks, or minimal white space.
Recruiters spend an average of just 6-7 seconds scanning a resume initially. Poor readability means your qualifications get overlooked.
75% of resumes are rejected due to readability issues.
Using excessive graphics, colors, or non-standard layouts that distract from content.
Overdesigned resumes often fail ATS screening and can appear unprofessional in many industries.
63% of hiring managers are turned off by creative resumes in non-creative fields.
Resume that's either too long (3+ pages for most positions) or too short (less than 1 full page).
Excessively long resumes aren't read fully; too-short resumes suggest insufficient experience.
46% of recruiters reject resumes longer than 2 pages for non-executive roles.
Problems with the substance and wording of your resume
Using the same resume for every job application without customizing for specific positions.
Generic resumes fail to show why you're a match for the specific role, significantly reducing interview chances.
84% of recruiters reject resumes that aren't tailored to the position.
Typos, grammatical mistakes, punctuation errors, and inconsistent tense usage.
Suggests carelessness and poor communication skills; often results in immediate rejection.
77% of hiring managers disqualify resumes with just one or two spelling errors.
Listing job duties instead of achievements; failing to quantify results.
Fails to differentiate you from other candidates with similar job titles and responsibilities.
69% of hiring managers specifically look for measurable results on resumes.
Adding personal details, outdated experiences, or unrelated skills that don't support your candidacy.
Distracts from relevant qualifications and wastes valuable resume space.
51% of hiring managers say irrelevant information negatively impacts hiring decisions.
Relying on vague jargon and overused phrases instead of specific, meaningful content.
Makes your resume blend in with hundreds of others and fails to convey your unique value.
44% of hiring managers are turned off by clichéd language.
Lying about qualifications, embellishing achievements, or misrepresenting employment dates.
Can lead to termination even after hiring if discovered, and severely damages professional reputation.
93% of employers say discovering dishonesty on a resume is grounds for immediate rejection or termination.
Errors that prevent your resume from passing Applicant Tracking Systems
Using elements that prevent Applicant Tracking Systems from properly parsing your resume.
Your resume may be rejected before a human ever sees it, regardless of your qualifications.
75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching human reviewers.
Failing to include relevant keywords and phrases from the job description.
ATS systems rank resumes based on keyword matches; missing crucial terms lowers your score.
70% of resumes are rejected due to missing keywords.
Using generic or unprofessional file names or incompatible file formats.
Makes your resume difficult to track in hiring systems and appears unprofessional.
35% of recruiters get annoyed by poor file naming conventions.
Issues with how information is arranged and presented
Illogical ordering of sections or information, making your resume difficult to navigate.
Recruiters can't quickly find the information they need during initial screening.
65% of recruiters say poor organization negatively impacts their impression.
Missing, outdated, or unprofessional contact details.
Recruiters can't reach you for interviews, no matter how qualified you are.
54% have experienced candidates who were unreachable due to incorrect contact information.
Having significant time periods unaccounted for in your work history without explanation.
Raises red flags about your consistency and commitment.
63% of employers are concerned by unexplained gaps on resumes.
Errors in how you apply for positions
Submitting the exact same resume for every application without customization.
Significantly reduces your chances of passing ATS screening and impressing hiring managers.
84% of hiring managers expect resumes to be tailored to the specific position.
Failing to follow specific directions provided in the job posting.
Shows lack of attention to detail and may result in automatic disqualification.
87% of recruiters will reject candidates who don't follow application instructions.
Submitting applications for multiple positions simultaneously at the same organization.
Appears desperate and unfocused rather than strategic about your career.
48% of recruiters view applying to multiple positions negatively.
Insights from hiring professionals on avoiding common resume pitfalls
Senior HR Manager at Fortune 500 Company
"For each bullet point on your resume, ask yourself: 'So what?' If you can't clearly explain why that point matters for the target role, either rewrite it to show its relevance or remove it entirely."
Technical Recruiter with 15+ years experience
"The tech stack buzzwords matter, but don't forget to balance them with results. I need to know not just that you used Python or AWS, but what business problem you solved with it and what measurable outcome you achieved."
Career Counselor and Former Corporate Recruiter
"Have multiple people review your resume, but be strategic about whom you ask. Someone in your target industry can evaluate relevance, while someone from a different field can check if your achievements make sense to a general audience."
The most immediate rejection triggers are spelling/grammar errors, unprofessional email addresses, missing contact information, and obvious lies or exaggerations. Additionally, resumes with formatting issues that prevent ATS systems from parsing them properly will be eliminated before a human even sees them. These include complex layouts with tables, text boxes, headers/footers with important information, and non-standard file formats.
To ensure your resume is ATS-compatible, use a simple, single-column layout without tables, text boxes, or headers/footers containing important information. Stick to standard section headings like "Experience" and "Education." Save in .docx or standard PDF format (not scanned PDFs). Use standard bullets rather than special characters, and include keywords from the job description. For a definitive check, use our free ATS compatibility tool that will scan your resume and identify potential issues.
In the United States, Canada, UK, and Australia, photos on resumes are generally discouraged and can actually harm your chances. This is because they can lead to unconscious bias and potential discrimination concerns. Many companies automatically reject resumes with photos to avoid legal issues related to discrimination. However, in some European countries, parts of Asia, and the Middle East, photos are common and sometimes expected. Research the specific norms for the country and industry where you're applying.
Instead of trying to hide gaps (which can appear deceptive), address them strategically. First, use a month/year format for employment dates to avoid drawing attention to short gaps. For longer gaps, consider what you did during that time that might add value—education, freelance work, consulting, volunteer experience, or professional development. Include these activities on your resume if relevant. For significant gaps due to personal reasons (health, caregiving, etc.), you don't need to detail these on your resume, but be prepared to briefly address them positively in interviews, focusing on what you learned or how you stayed current in your field.
The best way to make your resume stand out is through compelling content, not elaborate design (especially in non-creative fields). Focus on quantified achievements rather than job duties, use strong action verbs, and customize content for each position. For subtle visual distinction without ATS problems, consider using modest color for section headings, strategic bold or italic formatting for important accomplishments, and clean, consistent spacing with adequate white space. In creative fields, consider having two versions: an ATS-friendly version for online applications and a more designed version for direct emails or in-person networking.