5 (More) Resume Mistakes to Avoid
A few years ago, we shared our insights on 6 common resume mistakes that can derail your job search. To help job seekers in this ever-changing job market, we’ve compiled 5 more mistakes to avoid, based on patterns in the resumes that cross our desks. Whether you’re a recent graduate entering the workforce or a seasoned professional looking to make a career change, avoiding these pitfalls will help ensure your resume makes the right impression.
Optimize Your Resume and Avoid These 5 Mistakes
1. Uncritical Use of AI
Artificial intelligence tools have revolutionized aspects of job searching, from writing cover letters to optimizing resume keywords. However, many candidates rely too heavily on AI, without applying human judgment and personalization. The problem isn’t using AI—it’s using it without careful review and customization. AI-generated content often lacks the nuanced understanding of your specific industry or role, or can produce factual errors.
The fix:
Use AI as a starting point, not the finish line. If you’re leveraging AI tools to help write your resume, treat the output as a rough draft that requires significant human editing. Ensure every bullet point accurately reflects your experience, uses industry-appropriate language and showcases your unique value proposition. Your resume is a representation of your personal brand and it should sound like you!
2. Broken Links
In today’s digital-first hiring environment, many candidates include links to a portfolio, website or LinkedIn profile. This can be a great addition to your resume, but nothing undermines your attention to detail quite like a broken link! Our recruiters regularly encounter resumes with URLs that don’t work.
The fix:
After you save the final version of your resume, click/tap each link directly to ensure it works and leads to the intended destination. Review the content that employers will see when they click through: Is your LinkedIn profile up to date? Does your portfolio showcase your best work? Is your personal website professional and relevant to the role you’re seeking?
3. Not Including Location
We’ve been seeing more candidates omit their location from their resume, assuming it’s no longer relevant in a remote-first world, but the reality is that location still matters. Many companies have restrictions on the regions in which they can hire, even for remote roles, due to tax implications, legal requirements or time zone preferences. Some roles may be primarily remote but require occasional travel to the employer’s office or to see local clients. If your location is not included, your resume may be screened out automatically by an ATS, or by a hiring manager who can’t tell if you match the location requirements.
The fix:
Include your city and province/state on your resume. If you’re open to relocating, you can note “open to relocation” or include your target location.
4. Including a Photo or Other Personal Identifying Information
While headshots are standard practice in some countries, including a photo on your resume in North America can actually work against you. Many companies actively discourage or prohibit photos on resumes to avoid unconscious bias in the hiring process and to comply with employment law requirements. Beyond photos, we’re seeing candidates include unnecessary personal information such as marital status, age, religious affiliation or political views. This information doesn’t strengthen your candidacy and may inadvertently introduce bias or legal concerns for employers.
The fix:
Keep your resume focused on professional qualifications. Include your name, contact information and location, but skip the headshot and personal details. Let your skills, experience and accomplishments speak for themselves.
5. Focusing Only on Responsibilities and Not Accomplishments
Too many resumes read like job descriptions, simply listing duties and responsibilities without demonstrating the impact or value the person brought to their role. Hiring managers don’t just want to know what you were supposed to do—they want to know what you actually achieved. The difference between a responsibility and an accomplishment is the measurable impact you had on the business.
The fix:
Transform your bullet points from responsibilities into accomplishments by adding context, metrics and outcomes. Instead of “Responsible for customer service,” try “Improved customer satisfaction scores by 15% through implementation of new response protocols and staff training program.” Use numbers wherever possible—i.e. percentages, dollar amounts, time savings, team sizes or project scopes.
Your Resume Is Your Foot in the Door
Remember that your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer—make sure it’s representing you accurately, professionally and compellingly. Here are additional resources to help you out:
- Resume formatting basics & template
- Crafting your resume: from basics to cutting-edge tools
- How to write a resume that both humans & bots will love