10 Resume Mistakes That Get You Instantly Rejected

Your resume has 6 seconds to make an impression

Recruiters spend an average of 6-7 seconds scanning each resume. In that tiny window, certain mistakes can instantly land your resume in the reject pile. Here are the 10 most common resume killers and how to fix them.

1. Using a Generic Objective Statement

"Seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company" tells the recruiter nothing. Replace it with a targeted professional summary that highlights your key achievements and the specific value you bring.

2. Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

"Managed a team of 5" is a responsibility. "Led a team of 5 that increased quarterly revenue by 34% through a new client onboarding process" is an achievement. Always quantify your impact.

3. Poor Formatting and Inconsistent Design

Mixed fonts, inconsistent bullet styles, and walls of text signal carelessness. Use a clean, consistent template with clear section headers and adequate white space.

4. Including Irrelevant Work Experience

Your summer job at a coffee shop from 10 years ago doesn't belong on your senior marketing manager resume. Tailor every entry to the role you're applying for.

5. Typos and Grammar Errors

A single typo can disqualify you. Read your resume backwards, use multiple spell-checkers, and have someone else proofread it.

6. Missing Keywords from the Job Description

ATS systems scan for specific keywords. Mirror the language from the job posting naturally throughout your resume.

7. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

coolguy2003@email.com won't cut it. Use firstname.lastname@provider.com.

8. Including a Photo (in the US/UK)

In most Western countries, including a photo opens the door to unconscious bias and is generally discouraged. Know your target market's norms.

9. Making It Too Long

One page for early career, two pages maximum for experienced professionals. Executives may go to three. No one reads page four.

10. Not Customizing for Each Application

A generic resume sent to 100 companies will perform worse than a tailored resume sent to 10. Quality over quantity wins every time.

The Fix

Use ResumeKart's AI Resume Optimizer to automatically check for these mistakes, suggest improvements, and ensure your resume passes ATS screening.