7 Resume Mistakes That Keep You From Getting Interviews
(And How to Fix Them)
Why resumes don’t work in today’s job market
If you’re applying to jobs and hearing nothing back, it’s probably not because you’re unqualified.
Today’s resumes are scanned by software before a human ever sees them. Recruiters skim fast. Hiring managers want proof, not fluff. And outdated advice quietly knocks strong candidates out of the running.
The good news? Most resume issues are simple to fix once you know where things go wrong.
Mistake #1: A weak (or missing) headline
The problem: Without a headline, recruiters have to guess what you do — and they won’t.
The fix: Add a clear, role-specific headline that highlights your value.
Instead of: Experienced professional seeking new opportunities
Try: Operations Manager | Process Improvement | Cost Reduction & Team Leadership
Mistake #2: Job descriptions instead of impact bullets
The problem: Listing duties tells employers what you were assigned — not what you achieved.
The fix: Focus bullets on outcomes using action + skill + result.
Mistake #3: Falling into ATS traps
The problem: Fancy formatting can make your resume unreadable to ATS systems.
The fix: Use clean formatting, standard fonts, and keywords pulled directly from the job posting.
Mistake #4: A generic summary that says nothing
The problem: Overused phrases don’t communicate real value.
The fix: Write a short summary that explains why you’re relevant to this role.
Mistake #5: No alignment with the job you want
The problem: Sending the same resume everywhere weakens results.
The fix: Adjust headlines, keywords, and bullet order for each role.
Mistake #6: Skills buried or missing entirely
The problem: If skills aren’t easy to find, recruiters move on.
The fix: Add a clean, skimmable skills section that matches the job description.
Mistake #7: Overthinking instead of optimizing
The problem: Waiting for “perfect” delays progress.
The fix: Aim for clear, aligned, and readable. That’s what gets interviews.
Your resume shouldn’t be the reason you’re ignored
Elite Career Moves is building step-by-step resume tools, templates, and resources designed for today’s hiring systems — without the guesswork.
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