You've got the skills. You’ve got the experience. But if your résumé still isn’t landing interviews, the problem might not be what’s on your résumé… but how it's presented.

Every week, we review résumés that look “fine” at first glance—until we dig deeper. And guess what? Even smart, talented professionals are making costly mistakes they never even realized.

Let’s fix that.

Here are the 10 most common résumé mistakes we see at Adrian’s Career Services—and how to avoid them like a pro.

❌ 1. Using the Same Résumé for Every Job

Every position is unique. So why are you submitting a one-size-fits-all résumé?

The fix: Customize your résumé to the specific job description. Mirror the language, emphasize relevant experience, and include role-specific keywords.

❌ 2. Ignoring Keywords (Especially for ATS)

If your résumé isn’t tailored with keywords from the job post, it likely won’t pass the ATS filter—and no human will ever see it.

The fix: Strategically weave in keywords that match the posting. Tools like Jobscan help—but so do we.

👉 Get an ATS-optimized résumé

❌ 3. Overdoing the Fancy Formatting

Columns, tables, graphics, and icons might look “cool,” but ATS systems can’t read them—and they’ll break your résumé in half.

The fix: Keep formatting clean, linear, and simple. Recruiters care about substance over style.

❌ 4. Writing a Boring or Generic Summary

“Hardworking individual seeking opportunity...” is not a summary—it’s a snooze button.

The fix: Write a confident, results-driven profile that tells them what you bring to the table right away.

❌ 5. Leading with Job Duties Instead of Accomplishments

Listing what you did is not the same as showing what you achieved.

The fix: Turn your duties into accomplishments with quantifiable results.

Example:
✘ Managed social media
✔ Increased Instagram engagement by 120% in 3 months

❌ 6. Including Irrelevant or Outdated Information

Your high school diploma? That cashier job from 2006? Irrelevant and distracting.

The fix: Focus on your last 10–15 years of relevant experience only. Cut anything that doesn't serve your current job goal.

❌ 7. Making It Too Long (or Too Short)

One page for early careers, two max for experienced professionals. That’s it.

The fix: Keep it concise but substantial. If you're struggling, we can help trim the fat.

👉 Let us rework your résumé

❌ 8. Typos, Grammar Errors, and Inconsistent Formatting

Nothing kills credibility faster than a spelling mistake in your own résumé.

The fix: Use Grammarly. Proofread. Then proofread again. Or let us do it for you.

❌ 9. Listing Duties Without Context

Just saying “customer service” doesn’t tell us how you improved the customer experience.

The fix: Add context and outcomes. What tools did you use? What was the result?

❌ 10. Forgetting the Call to Action

A résumé should invite the recruiter to reach out. If yours just ends cold, you’re missing an opportunity.

The fix: Add a confident closing line like:
“Available for interviews at your convenience. Let’s connect.”

✨ Final Thoughts

A great résumé is more than a document—it’s your first impression and your personal pitch deck. Let’s make sure it reflects the excellence you bring.

📄 Ready to level up your résumé?

👉 Book Your ATS-Friendly Resume Rewrite Today

Or

📋 Fill Out Our Intake Form and we’ll guide you from there.