Mistakes That Can Get Your Resume Ignored by Recruiters

You could be the perfect candidate for a job, but if your resume contains common mistakes, you'll never get the chance to prove it. Recruiters review hundreds of resumes per position and use both automated systems and quick human scans to filter candidates. Even small errors can disqualify you instantly. This guide reveals the top 15 resume mistakes and how to avoid them in 2026.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

Common examples:

• Misspelling the company name you're applying to
• "Manger" instead of "Manager"
• "Your" vs. "You're" confusion
• Inconsistent verb tenses (mixing past and present for old roles)

Solution: Proofread at least 3 times. Use Grammarly or similar tools. Have a friend review it. Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing.

2. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

Emailing from "partygirl2000@hotmail.com" or "cooldude87@yahoo.com" makes a terrible first impression.

Solution: Create a professional email: firstname.lastname@gmail.com. If that's taken, try firstname.initial.lastname or add a middle initial.

3. Including Irrelevant Personal Information

In most countries (especially the US, UK, Canada), including these details can hurt you:

• Date of birth or age
• Marital status
• Social security number
• Photo (unless explicitly requested or standard in your region)
• Height, weight, or physical characteristics
• Political or religious affiliations (unless directly relevant to the role)

4. Using a Generic Objective Statement

This says nothing specific and wastes valuable space. Recruiters skip these immediately.

Solution: Use a targeted professional summary that highlights your specific value:

5. Making Your Resume Too Long (or Too Short)

Too long: A 4-page resume for an entry-level position suggests you can't prioritize information.

Too short: A sparse½-page resume with 5 years of experience looks under-qualified.

Ideal lengths:

• Entry-level (0-3 years): 1 page
• Mid-level (3-10 years): 1-2 pages
• Executive (10+ years): 2 pages maximum

6. Listing Duties Instead of Achievements

Your resume isn't a job description—it's a marketing document proving your value.

Action formula: Action Verb + What You Did + Quantifiable Result

7. Failing to Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Sending the exact same generic resume to every job is a major mistake. ATS systems and recruiters immediately notice when your skills don't align with the job requirements.

Solution:

• Read each job description carefully and identify key skills/keywords
• Adjust your professional summary to match the role
• Reorder bullet points to highlight most relevant experience first
• Emphasize technologies, methodologies, or certifications mentioned in the job posting

8. Using Complex Formatting That Breaks ATS

Fancy templates with graphics, text boxes, tables, and columns often look great to humans but are unreadable by Applicant Tracking Systems.

ATS-Breaking Elements:

• Images, logos, or headshots
• Tables and text boxes
• Headers and footers (put contact info in main body)
• Multi-column layouts
• Unusual fonts (stick to Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman)
• Charts or infographics

9. Lying or Exaggerating Experience

Claiming skills you don't have, inflating job titles, or fabricating degrees WILL be discovered—either during background checks or when you can't perform the job.

Common lies recruiters catch:

• Fake degrees (easily verified with universities)
• Inflated job titles ("VP of Sales" when you were "Sales Associate")
• Employment gaps hidden by extending dates
• Claiming proficiency in languages or software you barely know

Solution: Be honest but strategic. If you have limited experience with a skill, say "Familiar with" or "Exposure to" rather than "Expert in."

10. Including Outdated or Irrelevant Experience

Your high school summer job from 15 years ago is not relevant if you're applying for a senior management position. Focus on the last 10-15 years of experience.

What to exclude:

• Jobs from 20+ years ago (unless highly relevant)
• High school information (if you have a college degree)
• Obsolete technical skills (Windows XP, Adobe Flash)
• Hobbies and interests (unless directly relevant, like "Marathon Runner" for a fitness company)

11. Using Passive Language

Weak, passive language makes you sound timid and unaccomplished.

Passive phrases to avoid:

• "Assisted with..." → Use "Supported," "Collaborated on," or "Contributed to achieving..."
• "Helped to..." → Be specific: "Enabled," "Facilitated," "Drove"
• "Worked on..." → "Developed," "Built," "Executed"
• "Was involved in..." → "Led," "Participated in," "Managed"
• "Responsible for..." → Start with the action verb describing what you actually did

12. Forgetting to Update Contact Information

You applied with your old phone number or an email you no longer check. The recruiter tries to reach you and moves on to the next candidate.

Solution: Before every application, verify:

• Phone number is current and voicemail is professional
• Email address is active and you check it daily
• LinkedIn profile URL is correct and profile is updated

13. Inconsistent Formatting

Small formatting inconsistencies signal sloppiness:

• Mixing date formats (Jan 2024 vs. 01/2024 vs. January 2024)
• Inconsistent bullet point styles (• vs. - vs. ›)
• Varying font sizes or styles within sections
• Uneven spacing or alignment

Solution: Pick one format style and stick to it throughout your entire resume.

14. Including References or "References Available Upon Request"

This phrase is outdated and wastes space. Employers assume you have references—they'll ask when they're ready.

Solution: Remove this line entirely. Prepare a separate reference sheet to provide when requested.

15. Submitting the Wrong File Format

Sending a .pages file to a Windows-using recruiter, or a password-protected PDF, makes your resume unreadable.

Best practices:

• Save as PDF (unless job posting specifically requests .docx)
• Use a clear file name: "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf" (not "ResumeV5Final_FINAL2.pdf")
• Never password-protect your resume
• Ensure PDF has selectable text (not a scanned image)

Final Resume Quality Checklist

Before submitting your resume, go through this checklist:

• ✅ Proofread for typos and grammar errors (use Grammarly + human review)
• ✅ Professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
• ✅ No personal information (age, marital status, photo unless required)
• ✅ Specific professional summary (not generic objective)
• ✅ Appropriate length (1-2 pages)
• ✅ Achievement-focused bullet points with metrics
• ✅ Tailored to the specific job posting
• ✅ Simple, ATS-friendly formatting (no images, tables, or columns)
• ✅ Honest representation of skills and experience
• ✅ Relevant experience only (last 10-15 years)
• ✅ Active, powerful language (no passive phrases)
• ✅ Current contact information
• ✅ Consistent formatting throughout
• ✅ No "references available upon request"
• ✅ Correct file format (PDF) with professional file name

Avoiding these 15 common resume mistakes will significantly increase your chances of landing interviews. Remember: your resume has one job—to get you to the next stage. Make every word count, stay focused on achievements, and tailor it to each opportunity.