A resume gets an average of 7 seconds of attention from a recruiter on first glance. In that window, common mistakes can end your application before it starts. Here are the ten most frequent resume errors — and how to correct them.

1. Using the Same Resume for Every Job

A generic resume rarely performs well. Recruiters and ATS systems are both looking for alignment with the specific role. If your resume doesn't reflect the language and priorities of the job description, it signals a lack of effort.

Fix: Tailor your resume for each application. At minimum, adjust your summary and skills to mirror the job posting's keywords.

2. Vague Bullet Points Without Results

"Responsible for managing the team" tells a recruiter nothing useful. Resumes are full of this kind of language, and it blends into the background.

Fix: Lead with a strong verb and include a measurable result. "Led a team of 8 engineers to deliver a product 3 weeks ahead of schedule" is far more compelling.

3. Including a Photo (in North America)

In the US, Canada, and Australia, adding a photo to your resume is discouraged. It introduces bias and can actually cause ATS systems to fail when parsing your document.

Fix: Remove the photo. Let your experience speak.

4. Wrong File Format

Sending a Pages file or a heavily formatted PDF can cause your resume to render incorrectly — or not at all. Some ATS systems can't read complex PDFs.

Fix: Submit as DOCX unless the employer specifies otherwise. If you need both, BetterCV lets you check your ATS score and download in multiple formats.

5. An Objective Statement Instead of a Summary

"Seeking a challenging role where I can grow professionally" adds nothing for the reader. Objective statements are about what you want, not what you offer.

Fix: Replace it with a 2–3 sentence professional summary that highlights your top skills and what you bring to the role.

6. Listing Job Duties Instead of Achievements

Your resume shouldn't read like a job description. Most candidates list what they were supposed to do, not what they actually accomplished.

Fix: For each role, ask yourself: "What would have been different if I hadn't been there?" That answer is what goes on your resume.

7. Poor Formatting and Inconsistent Styling

Mismatched fonts, inconsistent spacing, and walls of text make resumes hard to scan. If a recruiter can't find information quickly, they move on.

Fix: Use a clean template with consistent spacing, clear section headers, and plenty of white space. Use the BetterCV builder for professionally formatted results.

8. Going Back Too Far in Work History

Listing jobs from 15+ years ago (unless they're directly relevant) adds noise and can make you seem out of touch with current practices.

Fix: For most roles, focus on the last 10 years. Summarize earlier experience briefly if needed.

9. Spelling and Grammar Errors

A single typo can undermine an otherwise strong resume. It signals carelessness — a trait no employer wants.

Fix: Use spell check, then read your resume aloud. Better yet, have someone else review it. Tools can miss context-dependent errors ("manger" vs "manager").

10. Missing or Unprofessional Contact Information

Using a personal email like partyanimal99@hotmail.com or forgetting to include your LinkedIn URL are both red flags.

Fix: Use a professional email (firstlast@gmail.com or similar). Include your LinkedIn URL and location (city/country is enough — no need for your full address).

Avoiding these mistakes takes your resume from "not bad" to genuinely competitive. Once you've fixed the basics, use the ATS Checker to see how your resume scores against specific job descriptions — and get targeted suggestions to improve it further.

Top 10 Resume Mistakes to Avoid in 2026