🎃 7 Résumé Mistakes that Haunt Your Job Hunt

Hi, folks! 🎃 Everyone makes mistakes, and you’re likely making a few with your résumé. But don’t worry — you’re not alone.

In fact, over 75% of candidates are rejected within seconds, which explains why so many résumés don’t even see the light of day.

But here’s the good news…

Fixing the mistakes below can dramatically improve your chances of landing an interview. 👇

1. Overloading responsibilities, not results

Recruiters don’t just want to see what you did — they want to know how well you did it. Listing responsibilities without showing the impact you made leaves them guessing. Instead, use quantifiable achievements to show your value.

Example:

Before: “Managed a team of 5.”
After: “Led a team of 5 to achieve a 20% increase in quarterly sales.”

2. Using generic job titles

Creative job titles like “Sales Ninja” or “Marketing Guru” sound fun, but they confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruiters. Keep it simple, and stick to standard industry terminology so your résumé doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

3. Cluttered layout

If your résumé looks like a wall of text, it’s time to break it up. Many recruiters spend less than 6 seconds scanning a résumé before deciding if it’s worth their time. A clear, concise layout with bullet points, headings and white space can make all the difference.

4. Forgetting keywords

An ATS screens your résumé before a human does. If you don’t include job-specific keywords, your résumé could be discarded before it’s even seen. Read the job listing, and mirror key phrases for a higher possibility of passing through the system.

5. Ignoring the summary section

A vague or poorly written summary section (or skipping it altogether) is a missed instance to grab attention. This should be a snapshot of who you are as a professional and how you can add value. Keep it short, specific and tailored to the job you’re applying for.

6. Typos and formatting errors

It might sound obvious, but nearly 58% of hiring managers will automatically reject a résumé with typos. Simple mistakes suggest a lack of attention to detail, so make sure to proofread or use a tool like Grammarly to catch any errors.

7. Outdated design

This is super important as it’s your first impression — so make it count! An outdated or overly complicated résumé design can make you seem, well… outdated. Stick with a modern, clean design that’s easy on the eyes and flows naturally.

🔮 So, how do you resolve these job-killing résumé mistakes?

Well, we have just the remedy… Imagine having a polished, professional résumé that catches the eye of recruiters in those crucial first seconds.

Our résumé templates are crafted by industry experts to not just look professional but also perform in 2024’s competitive job market. With easy-to-customize layouts and ATS-friendly designs, you’ll have the tools to finally make it past the first round — and straight to an interview.

CareerAddict’s professionally designed templates can be the difference between getting lost in the pile and standing out. So don’t let your dream job slip away because of a simple résumé mistake.

If you have any questions or need help choosing an ideal template or right service, reach out to our team. 

Here’s to landing your next role!

Happy Halloween,
The CareerAddict Team

P.S. 👀 Take advantage of this before it vanishes like a vampire into thin air!