12 Resume Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Interviews—and How to Fix Them
Table of contents
- 1. Including a Headshot
- 2. Listing Personal Information
- 3. Adding an Objective Statement
- 4. Overusing Font Sizes
- 5. Using Multiple Font Types
- 6. Including Full URLs
- 7. Self-Ranking Skills
- 8. Overloading with Patents, Publications, or References
- 9. Listing Soft Skills Without Context
- 10. A Resume Longer Than 2 Pages
- 11. Overusing Pronouns
- 12. Too Few Achievement Bullets
- The Bottom Line
As the Head of Engineering and a Career Coach, I’ve reviewed countless resumes over the years. From entry-level engineers to seasoned directors, I’ve seen patterns that separate standout candidates from the rest—and just as importantly, common mistakes that hold people back.
If you're applying for a job in tech or leadership, your resume is your first impression. It’s the foot in the door to the opportunities you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Yet, many resumes fall short because of avoidable missteps.
Below, I’ll break down 12 resume pitfalls you should always avoid to maximize your chances of landing interviews.
1. Including a Headshot
Why it’s a problem:
Headshots introduce biases—consciously or unconsciously—that have nothing to do with your skills or qualifications. They also take up valuable space better used for showcasing your accomplishments.
The fix:
Focus on your professional achievements. Let your experience do the talking, not your photo.
2. Listing Personal Information
Why it’s a problem:
Details like your home address, age, gender, or marital status aren’t relevant and could unintentionally lead to bias in hiring decisions.
The fix:
Stick to essentials: name, email, phone number, and a LinkedIn profile link.
3. Adding an Objective Statement
Why it’s a problem:
Most objective statements say the obvious: you want the job. This wastes space near the top of your resume—prime real estate where hiring managers’ eyes go first.
The fix:
Replace the objective statement with a concise summary highlighting your key qualifications and career achievements.
4. Overusing Font Sizes
Why it’s a problem:
Inconsistent fonts and too many sizes make your resume look chaotic and unprofessional.
The fix:
Stick to three font sizes: one for your name, one for section headers, and one for body text.
5. Using Multiple Font Types
Why it’s a problem:
Mixing fonts creates visual clutter and detracts from readability.
The fix:
Choose one or two clean, professional fonts, like Arial or Calibri, and use them consistently.
6. Including Full URLs
Why it’s a problem:
Long URLs, like a full LinkedIn address, take up space and look unpolished.
The fix:
Use hyperlinks instead. For printed resumes, format links cleanly (e.g., LinkedIn: [YourName]).
7. Self-Ranking Skills
Why it’s a problem:
Rating yourself on skills (e.g., 4/5 in Python) lacks credibility and leaves hiring managers questioning your self-assessment.
The fix:
Demonstrate your expertise through achievements, such as projects completed, tools implemented, or outcomes delivered.
8. Overloading with Patents, Publications, or References
Why it’s a problem:
While impressive, long lists of patents or references make your resume excessively long and unfocused.
The fix:
Summarize this information (e.g., "Authored 12 peer-reviewed publications") and provide full details in an appendix, portfolio, or LinkedIn.
9. Listing Soft Skills Without Context
Why it’s a problem:
Simply listing “strong communicator” or “team player” tells me nothing. These are common buzzwords that need evidence to carry weight.
The fix:
Embed soft skills within your achievements. For example, instead of listing “collaboration,” say, “Led cross-functional teams to deliver a $2M product launch.”
10. A Resume Longer Than 2 Pages
Why it’s a problem:
Hiring managers skim resumes quickly. Anything beyond 2 pages is often ignored unless you're in academia or a C-suite role.
The fix:
Prioritize key accomplishments and tailor your resume to the role you’re applying for.
11. Overusing Pronouns
Why it’s a problem:
First-person pronouns like "I" or "my" are unnecessary and repetitive.
The fix:
Use action verbs directly. Instead of "I managed a team," say, "Managed a team of 15 engineers to deliver a new product 3 months ahead of schedule."
12. Too Few Achievement Bullets
Why it’s a problem:
Your resume should showcase your impact, not just job descriptions. Without concrete achievements, your resume becomes generic.
The fix:
Focus on accomplishments and results. Use metrics when possible (e.g., “Increased revenue by 25%” or “Reduced deployment time by 40%”).
The Bottom Line
Your resume is more than a list of jobs—it’s a strategic marketing document. By avoiding these 12 pitfalls, you can present yourself as a polished, results-driven professional who’s ready to add value.
What would you add to this list? Have you noticed any other resume mistakes that could hurt a candidate’s chances?
Let’s discuss!
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