You’ve sent out dozens of resumes. Maybe even more. But the silence from hiring managers? Deafening.
Before you start second-guessing your skills or rewriting your cover letter for the hundredth time, pause. The issue might not be what you bring to the table—but how you’re presenting it on paper.
Let’s talk about the most common resume mistakes that could be quietly sabotaging your job search—and exactly how to fix them.
1. You’re Leading with the Wrong Kind of “Summary”
If your resume opens with something like:
“Results-driven professional seeking to leverage my experience in a dynamic organization…”
Stop right there.
This isn’t a college essay. It’s your pitch. Use those first two lines to show who you are and what you offer fast.
Fix it:
Swap vague buzzwords for specifics. Numbers help. Think:
“Blog writer with 5+ years of experience creating SEO-driven content for tech and lifestyle brands. Boosted client site traffic by 40% in 6 months.”
2. You’re Listing Responsibilities, Not Results
Anyone can say they “wrote blog posts” or “managed social media.” That’s not the win. The impact is.
What hiring managers actually want:
- Did you increase engagement?
- Did your content drive leads or conversions?
- Did you bring something unique to the team?
Fix it: Each bullet point should follow this formula: action + result.
“Wrote weekly long-form blog content, increasing organic traffic by 25%.”
3. Your Resume Looks Like a Wall of Text
Recruiters skim. If your resume is packed with chunky paragraphs and no breathing room, it’s getting skipped.
Fix it:
- Use bullet points—clean, consistent ones.
- Keep each one under two lines.
- Use headers like “Experience,” “Skills,” and “Certifications” to guide the eye.
Want a bonus tip? Drop in a touch of white space between sections. It helps more than you’d think.
4. You’re Ignoring Keywords (Yes, Even If You Hate Buzzwords)
Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human ever sees them. If your resume doesn’t match the job description word for word.
Fix it: Study the job listing. Spot repeated words or required skills. Then work those exact terms naturally into your resume, especially in the skills and experience sections.
5. You’re Linking to a Portfolio… That Doesn’t Work (or Doesn’t Wow)
Your resume says “See my work at janeblogs.com,” but the link is broken, outdated, or worse—underwhelming.
Fix it:
- Make sure your portfolio is live and mobile-friendly
- Showcase a variety of your best work (different tones, formats, topics)
- Loads quickly and looks polished
If you don’t have one, start small. A free portfolio on Medium, WordPress, or Contently works great.
6. You’re Not Tailoring for Each Role
One-size-fits-all might work for hoodies—not resumes. If you’re applying for a content strategist gig but sending a generic writer resume, you’re missing the mark.
Fix it: Customize each resume. Tweak your summary, keywords, and top bullet points to match what the role is asking for.
7. Your Formatting Screams “Template”
That sleek Canva resume? It may look good to you—but some ATS software can’t read those design elements.
Fix it:
- Use clean, classic layouts (Word or Google Docs are just fine)
- Avoid text boxes, tables, or columns if possible
- Stick to simple file types: PDF or .docx
Bonus: Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia. Your creativity belongs in your writing, not in curly resume fonts.
8. You Haven’t Proofread. At All.
You’re a writer. There’s no excuse for spelling errors or grammar slips. None.
Fix it:
- Run it through Grammarly or Hemingway
- Read it aloud
- Ask a friend to check it
- Sleep on it and come back with fresh eyes
Your resume is a writing sample—make it a strong one.
Final Thought: Your Resume Isn’t Just a Form—It’s Your First Impression
And you don’t get two of those.
If you’re struggling to land interviews, don’t panic. Just take a hard look at how your resume reads—not just what it says. Because the truth is, even a brilliant candidate can stay stuck if the document doesn’t reflect their best self.
Fix the little things, sharpen the message, and you’ll see a big difference in response rates.
