11 Resume Mistakes That Quietly Get You Rejected

Most resumes don't fail because of one fatal flaw. They're filtered out by a handful of small, avoidable mistakes — by software, by recruiters, or by both. Here are 11 worth checking before you apply.

1. A layout the ATS can't read

Multi-column templates, tables, and text boxes can scramble or hide your content. Use a single-column, standard layout.

2. Key info in the header or footer

Some Applicant Tracking Systems ignore headers and footers. Keep your name and contact details in the body.

3. Ignoring the job description

A generic resume forces the reader to hunt for the match. Mirror the posting's language for skills you genuinely have. (See tailoring your resume.)

4. Listing duties instead of achievements

"Responsible for sales" says nothing. "Grew regional sales 28% in a year" says everything. Lead with results.

5. Vague or invented numbers

Quantify where you can — but only with true figures. Inflated metrics unravel in interviews.

6. Typos and inconsistent formatting

Mixed tenses, uneven bullets, and spelling errors signal carelessness. Proofread, and read it once aloud.

7. An unprofessional file name

resume-final-v3.pdf looks sloppy in a recruiter's inbox. Use First-Last-Resume.pdf.

8. The wrong file type

Submit a text-based PDF, or whatever the form requests. Never a scanned image — there's no text to extract.

9. A long, generic objective

Replace "seeking a challenging role…" with a one-line summary tailored to the job.

10. Burying the most relevant experience

Recruiters read top-down and lose attention fast. Put your most relevant role and bullets first.

11. Making it too long

Length without relevance hurts you. Cut anything that doesn't support this application. (See how long a resume should be.)

Fix these first

Run through this list before every submission. None of these mistakes is hard to fix — and together they're the difference between a resume that gets filtered and one that gets read. For the full playbook, start with how to make a resume that beats the ATS.

Qlivik checks your resume against each posting and flags these issues before you apply — so they don't cost you the interview.