What are some typical mistakes to avoid when writing a resume?

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AlizaR

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Hey everyone!
I’m working on updating my resume for the first time in a while and I’m realizing there’s a lot of conflicting advice out there. Some say “include everything,” others say “keep it to one page.” I’m honestly overwhelmed and don’t want to make rookie mistakes that could get my resume tossed.
What are some common resume mistakes you've made or seen that I should watch out for? Would love any tips or examples you’ve picked up along the way!
 
One mistake I see constantly, especially in tech, is using the same resume for every application. Recruiters and ATS can tell right away when you’ve gone the copy-paste route. Tailor your resume to each job—highlight keywords from the description, and tweak your summary to match the role. Also, don’t just list tools like 'Java, Python, AWS' unless you’ve truly used them—quality over quantity! Oh, and save your resume file properly—please no more 'Resume_FINAL_3_THIS_ONE.pdf.' Use 'FirstName_LastName_Resume' so hiring managers can find it fast.
 
As someone who screens dozens of resumes a day, I’ll add this: ditch the objective statement. It’s outdated. A professional summary that tells me who you are and how you can contribute is way more effective. Also, don’t forget the basics—check your contact info! You wouldn’t believe how many resumes we get with old email addresses or even missing phone numbers. Keep things clear, correct, and focused. And yes, 'References available upon request' is unnecessary. We’ll ask if we want them.
 
Design matters—but don't go overboard. I once saw a resume in five fonts with rainbow-colored bullet points… not ideal. Even in creative fields, clean and professional wins. Stick with fonts like Arial, Georgia, or Calibri. A little style is fine, but your layout should support your content, not distract from it. And please—no photos unless it’s industry standard. In most U.S. roles, it messes with ATS and can unintentionally invite bias. Use LinkedIn for your headshot if you really want them to see your face.
 
Yikes—I’m so glad I found this thread:giggle:! Just graduated, and I’ve been making a few of these mistakes. I had 'References available on request' and listed all of my part-time jobs, even the ones that aren’t relevant. Guess I’ll trim it down and focus more on the stuff that aligns with the role. Do you think it’s okay to add internships or volunteer work even if they’re not directly tied to the job?
 
Definitely, @JustLewys —internships and volunteer work can be gold, especially early in your career. Just focus on what you contributed and how those experiences helped you grow. Also, everyone listen up: use action verbs and quantify your achievements where you can. Don’t say 'helped with sales'—say 'increased monthly sales by 15% through upselling.' And proofread. Twice. Typos, weird spacing, inconsistent formatting—it all reflects on your professionalism, especially in competitive roles.
 
Absolutely! @JustLewys I’ve hired for roles in manufacturing and trades, and a lot of people just copy-paste job duties. But what catches my eye is when someone shows impact: 'Cut downtime by 10%' or 'Trained new hires on safety protocols.' Keep it real, but emphasize results. Same goes for listing hobbies—unless they directly relate to the job or show relevant traits (like coaching for leadership or tutoring for education), skip them. Use that space for more valuable info.
 
One small but surprisingly common mistake: using an unprofessional email. If you’re applying with something like partychick98(at)gmail.com, it’s time to create a new one. Just make a clean email with your name—it takes five minutes and instantly looks more polished. And about file names—I totally agree with @DataQueen. Clean, labeled files make things easier for us. We see hundreds of resumes; don’t make us guess who 'final_resume2(edited)version.pdf' belongs to 😅.
 
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Since I mostly apply to remote jobs, I’ve learned to focus on how my resume looks digitally. Avoid graphics that mess up the formatting and confuse applicant tracking systems. Keep things simple and ATS-friendly. Also, location still matters—even for remote work—so list your city and state if relevant. Oh, and tailor your resume even if it’s remote! Just because it’s flexible doesn’t mean it’s generic. Mention remote tools you’ve used (Slack, Zoom, Asana) if the job calls for them.
 
This whole thread is amazing:love:. My biggest early mistake was listing everything I ever did—research projects, tutoring, campus jobs—and it just cluttered the resume. Now I only include things that show why I’m a strong fit for that specific role. Everything else can go on LinkedIn. And yes, proofread everything. A typo in the word 'detail-oriented' is painfully ironic. Final tip? Keep your resume to one page unless you have over 10 years of directly relevant experience. Keep it lean and impactful.
 
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