When it comes to job searching, your resume is your first impression and often the deciding factor in whether you land an interview. But even the most qualified candidates miss opportunities because of simple, avoidable mistakes. The good news? Fixing these errors can instantly boost your chances of getting seen by hiring managers and passing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Here are the 10 most common resume mistakes and how to avoid them.

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1. Using a Resume Format That Isn’t ATS-Friendly

Many people still use overly designed templates with columns, graphics, text boxes, or fancy fonts. ATS systems can’t read them, meaning your information may never be seen.

Fix: Use a clean layout, consistent formatting, and standard fonts. Stick to simple sections that ATS can easily scan.

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2. Not Tailoring Your Resume to Each Job

Sending the same resume to every job slows your chances. Employers want to see that you match their specific needs.

Fix: Adjust your summary, skills, and top bullet points to include keywords from the job description.

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3. Weak or Vague Bullet Points

Writing duties instead of accomplishments makes your experience blend in with everyone else’s.

Fix: Start bullets with strong action verbs and include measurable results when possible.
Example: “Improved tenant satisfaction by 30% through streamlined property management processes.”

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4. Overstuffing With Keywords

ATS needs keywords — but keyword stuffing looks unnatural and works against you.

Fix: Add industry-specific keywords naturally within your bullet points.

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5. Including Irrelevant Work Experience

Long resumes full of unrelated jobs make recruiters work harder to find what matters.

Fix: Focus on the roles that show transferable skills or directly support the job you’re applying for.

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6. Typos, Grammar Errors, and Inconsistent Formatting

Even one typo can make you look careless.

Fix: Proofread three times. Read it out loud. Use tools like Grammarly, or have a recruiter (or Impress Resume 😉) review it for you.

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7. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

It sounds small, but it’s a huge red flag.

Fix: Create a simple professional email (example: firstname.lastname@gmail.com).

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8. Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Hiring managers want to know what you accomplished, not just what you were “responsible for.”

Fix: Use metrics, improvements, efficiencies, savings, customer satisfaction, or performance outcomes.

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9. Making Your Resume Too Long

Unless you’re in a senior-level role, a two-page resume is rarely necessary.

Fix: Keep it to one page by focusing on your strongest, most recent, and most relevant experience.

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10. Forgetting a Strong Summary

A missing or weak summary leaves employers guessing what you bring to the table.

Fix: Write a clear, 3–4 sentence professional summary that highlights your experience, strengths, and the value you deliver.

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Final Thoughts

Your resume isn’t just a document it’s your ticket to getting noticed. Avoiding these resume mistakes can dramatically improve your chances of scoring interviews and landing the opportunities you deserve.

If you want a shortcut, ATS-friendly resume templates and recruiter-written guides at ImpressResume.com make the entire process faster, easier, and way less stressful.