5 Resume Mistakes Keeping You Stuck (and How to Fix Them)
- Natalie Kowasic
- Oct 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Your resume isn’t just a document. It’s the key that can open doors to your next opportunity. The problem is that too many people stay stuck because their resume isn’t working for them. The good news is that most mistakes are simple to fix.
If you’ve been applying for jobs and hearing nothing back, it’s not about your value or your potential. It’s about how your story is showing up on paper. Here are five common resume mistakes I see and what to do instead.
Key Takeaways
Sending the same generic resume everywhere keeps you invisible.
Duties don’t impress, impact does.
A cluttered format makes your resume hard to read. So do overdesigned templates.
Ignoring keywords can block you from the ATS and recruiters.
Leaving out parts of your story hides your true value.
Your resume isn’t just a document. It’s the key that can open doors to your next opportunity...
1. Sending the Same Resume Everywhere
The mistake: You use the same resume for every job application. Recruiters and hiring software can spot a generic resume instantly. And it's not impressing anyone.
What research says: Optimized resumes perform far better than generic ones. Tailoring your resume for each role by aligning with job descriptions significantly increases your chance of passing early screenings (Jobscan).
NACE surveys also show that employers expect to see evidence of real skills like problem solving, teamwork, and communication - not vague statements (NACE).
The fix: Customize it. Each job description has its own language. Use the keywords they use so your resume speaks directly to the role. Think of it like dressing for the occasion. You’re still the same person, but you show up in a way that fits the room.
2. Listing Duties Instead of Impact
The mistake: Your resume sounds like a job description. Phrases like “Responsible for managing schedules” or “Handled customer calls” don’t stand out.
What research says: Employers respond better to measurable outcomes. Bullet points that highlight impact with numbers or percentages stand out more than plain responsibilities (Yale OCS, Indeed).
Recruiter guidelines echo this: quantification is consistently listed as a top differentiator (The Interview Guys).
The fix: Focus on results. Start with action words and, when possible, include numbers. For example: “Created a scheduling system that reduces conflicts by 25 percent.” Impact is what gets attention.
3. Making It Hard to Read
The mistake: The design is too cluttered, outdated, or distracting. If a recruiter has to squint or skim through a wall of text, they will move on. Using colors, graphics, and templates can make the resume hard to read for ATS.
What research says: Most resumes are skimmed in seconds, and overly styled designs can be unreadable by ATS filters, which could cause your application to be rejected before a person ever sees it (Jobscan, The Interview Guys).
In a 2018 eye-tracking study by TheLadders, recruiters were found to spend only 7.4 seconds on average scanning a resume before making an initial decision.
That’s up slightly from earlier findings of around 6 seconds, but still a very short window (the full study PDF is hosted by Boston University).
The research showed that recruiters consistently focus on:
Job titles, dates, and company names
Overall structure and layout
Bulleted impact statements rather than dense text
Cluttered designs, multiple columns, and long paragraphs reduced attention, while clean formatting with clear hierarchy increased it.
The fix: Keep it clean and easy to scan. Use modern formatting with clear headings and bullet points. Keep the entire resume in black and white only, simpler is better. Stick to one page if you’re earlier in your career, two pages at most if you have 10 or more years of experience.
4. Ignoring the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
The mistake: You spend hours on your resume, but it never reaches a recruiter because the system does not recognize your wording.
What research says: Applicant Tracking Systems filter out resumes that don’t use the same wording as the job posting. Using relevant keywords naturally in your resume improves your chance of moving forward (Upskillist). Research also shows clearer, more tailored resumes directly improve hiring chances (arXiv study).
According to Novorésumé, only about 25% of resumes make it past the ATS stage, meaning 75% are blocked due to formatting, missing keywords, or content issues. Jobscan also notes that nearly all recruiters use ATS filters, and resumes with nonstandard headings or formats (like templates or complex designs) tend to get filtered out.
The fix: Use the same language the company uses. If the job posting says “project management,” use those exact words instead of “team leadership.” Sprinkle important terms naturally into your resume so both the ATS and a human reader understand your skills.
5. Hiding Parts of Your Story
The mistake: You leave out volunteer work, side projects, certifications, or career pivots because you think they don’t count.
What research says: Nontraditional experience can highlight adaptability, transferable skills, and leadership. Recruiters increasingly value diverse backgrounds that show initiative and problem-solving (Constellation Search). Constellation Search also identifies “lack of tailoring” and omission of relevant experiences as major resume failings.
Plus, with skills-based hiring growing (as NACE reports), showing varied experiences that highlight your capabilities becomes even more important.
The fix: Include them if they highlight transferable skills or show growth. Employers value unique backgrounds and different perspectives. Even non-traditional experiences can strengthen your story when framed the right way.
Final Thoughts
Your resume does not need to be perfect. It needs to be intentional. When you shift from listing tasks to showing impact, and from generic to tailored, you’ll stand out immediately.
If you are tired of second-guessing your resume, that is exactly why I created my Resume Alchemy Session. Together we can transform your resume into a tool that actually gets results.
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