You have the right skills, the degree, and the experience. Yet, your phone isn't ringing. Why?
The harsh reality is that recruiters spend an average of just 6 to 8 seconds scanning a resume before deciding yes or no. If you make these common errors, your application gets rejected before they even read your qualifications. Here is how to fix them and get hired.
1. Typos and Grammatical Errors
This is the absolute fastest way to get your resume tossed into the "reject" pile.
It doesn't matter how qualified you are; a typo suggests to recruiters that you lack attention to detail and poor communication skills. For roles that require precision (like accounting, coding, or editing), a single error is often automatic disqualification. Don't rely solely on spell-checkers; they miss context errors (like using "their" instead of "there").
2. Using Unprofessional or Hard-to-Read Fonts
Your resume is a professional document, not an art project. Style should never compromise readability.
Avoid fancy, cursive, or comic fonts (like Comic Sans or Papyrus). They look childish and unprofessional. More importantly, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software used by companies often cannot read unusual fonts, meaning your resume might end up as garbled text in their system.
3. Including a Photo (When Not Required)
Unless you are applying for a modeling or acting job, adding a photo is usually a bad idea.
Including a headshot can lead to unconscious bias based on your appearance, age, or ethnicity. Many modern HR departments actually prefer resumes without photos to ensure fair hiring practices. It also takes up valuable space that could be used to showcase your skills and achievements.
4. Sending a Generic "One-Size-Fits-All" Resume
A generic resume screams "lazy" to a hiring manager. It shows you didn't care enough to research the specific role.
If you don't tailor your resume to the specific Job Description (JD), you likely won't pass the ATS scan because you are missing critical keywords. Recruiters want to see exactly how your past experience solves *their* current problems, not just a list of everything you've ever done.
5. Cluttered Formatting and Dense Text Walls
If your resume looks exhausting to read, no one will read it.
Recruiters scan in an "F-pattern," looking at headings and bullet points. Huge, dense paragraphs hide your best achievements. A cluttered layout makes you look disorganized. "White space" is crucial—it gives the reader's eyes a break and guides them to the important information.
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