12 common resume mistakes (and how to fix them)

Last updated May 31, 2026

Most resumes fail for a handful of avoidable reasons. Here are the twelve we see most, with the fix for each.

Content mistakes

One generic resume for every job. Fix: tailor to each role's keywords - the single biggest lever.
Listing duties, not results. Fix: lead with outcomes and quantify them.
No numbers. Fix: add percentages, money, time, or scale to your top bullets.
Weak openers ("Responsible for"). Fix: start with a strong action verb.
Burying relevant experience. Fix: reorder so the most relevant role and bullets lead.
Fabrication or exaggeration. Fix: everything on the page is interview-fair-game - keep it true.

ATS-breaking design (columns, images, icons). Fix: single-column, selectable text, standard headings.
Too long. Fix: one page for most; trim older and irrelevant content.
Typos and inconsistency. Fix: proofread, and keep tense/formatting consistent.
A generic, cliché summary. Fix: rewrite it as a specific, quantified pitch - or cut it.
An unprofessional email or dead links. Fix: use a simple name-based email; test every link.
Outdated extras ("references available on request", an objective, a photo for ATS markets). Fix: remove them.

The meta-fix

Tailoring solves several of these at once - it forces you to cut irrelevant content, surface results, and match the role's language.

Put this into practice

Tailored-CV scores your match, surfaces missing keywords, and rewrites bullets in your voice - one at a time.