Resume writing

15 Common Resume Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Updated · 6 min read · By the CareerDesks team

Small mistakes cost interviews. Most are quick to fix once you know what to look for.

Content mistakes

  1. Listing duties instead of results. Fix: add what changed because of your work.
  2. One resume for every job. Fix: tailor each version.
  3. Vague summaries. Fix: name your role, specialism, and one result.
  4. Unexplained gaps. Fix: a one-line entry such as "Career break: caring for family" is enough.
  5. Irrelevant old jobs in detail. Fix: summarise roles older than 10 to 15 years.
  6. Exaggerated claims. Fix: only write what you can discuss in depth.

Formatting mistakes

  1. Text inside images or graphics. Fix: use real text so screening software can read it.
  2. Inconsistent dates and fonts. Fix: pick one style and apply it everywhere.
  3. Too long or too dense. Fix: see how long a resume should be.
  4. Skill bars and ratings. Fix: list skills in words, grouped by type.
  5. Tiny fonts and margins. Fix: keep body text at 10 to 12 points.

Sending mistakes

  1. Typos and wrong company names. Fix: proofread aloud and check the company name in every version.
  2. An unprofessional email address. Fix: use firstname.lastname or similar.
  3. File names like "resume-final-v3.pdf". Fix: use "Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf".
  4. Losing track of what you sent. Fix: record the version with each application in a job tracker.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest resume mistake?

Describing duties instead of achievements. Recruiters want to know what changed because of your work.

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