Common Resume Mistakes & How to Fix Them

I’ve reviewed thousands of resumes from job seekers and worked with dozens of clients to revamp their resumes. Here are some common mistakes I see and how I advise clients to fix them.

1. Listing Duties vs Accomplishments

   ❌ Avoid your resume reading like a job description with a list of duties.
   ✅ Focus on your accomplishments. What successes did you have? What sets you apart?
   

2. Generic Content
   ❌ Using vague wording that doesn’t showcase your talents. Eg “As a recruiter I interviewed and hired new employees.”
   ✅ Dive into detail about what makes your work unique. “As the first recruiter I partnered with the CEO to build out leadership team of 10 VPs.”
   

3. Misuse of Keywords

   ❌ Listing keywords without context (keyword stuffing), or avoiding them altogether.
   ✅ Use keywords that relate to the job and field. Blend them in with your accomplishments.
   

4. Leaving out Metrics 

   ❌ Not showing impact via measurable goals

   ✅ Quantify your results to show impact and scope. Eg. “As the first recruiter I hired 25 employees quarter over quarter with a 90% offer acceptance rate.”
   

5. Missing Details & Polish
   ❌ Typos, inconsistent formatting, and multiple fonts

   ✅ Make it concise, mistake-free, and easy to read.