Get Noticed, Not Rejected: Fix These 7 Resume Mistakes Now

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Recruiters go through hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of resumes in a week. On average, they spend just 6 to 10 seconds skimming a resume before deciding whether to keep reading or move on. That means even small mistakes can become deal-breakers.

If your job search feels like it’s going nowhere, your resume might be turning recruiters away before they even get to see how great you are.

As someone who’s worked closely with hiring teams, I’m sharing the top 7 red flags that cause recruiters to skip your profile—and how to fix them fast.

1. Generic Career Objective

The Problem:

"Looking for a challenging role in a dynamic organization where I can grow and contribute."

Recruiters see this so often that it becomes white noise. It says nothing specific about what you do, the role you want, or the value you bring.

Quick Fix: Replace the objective with a Professional Summary tailored to the role. For example:

“Digital marketing specialist with 14+ years driving ROI through performance campaigns, SEO, and email marketing. Seeking to bring data-driven growth to a SaaS startup.”

2. Inconsistent Formatting

The Problem:
Random fonts, uneven spacing, bold headers in some places and not others. It signals a lack of attention to detail.
Recruiters instantly start wondering: If you can’t present your career clearly, will you be careless on the job, too?

Quick Fix: Use clean, consistent formatting:

• One font (e.g., Calibri or Arial)
• Aligned bullet points
• Equal margins and spacing
• Bold headers for sections (Experience, Skills, etc.)

Bonus Tip: Avoid using free templates from sites such as Canva, NovoResume, etc. They’re often not ATS-friendly. Instead, use MS Word to create a simple text-based resume that passes screening bots.

For more in-depth information on how to write the best resumes, read— The Complete Resume Guide at Unstop

3. Weak or Passive Language

The Problem:
"Responsible for managing a team…", "Tasked with updating reports…"—all such statements don’t show what did you actually achieved, only what was assigned to you.

Quick Fix: Start bullet points with strong action verbs and add measurable outcomes.

Instead of:

Responsible for managing social media channels

Try:

Led and scaled social media presence, growing follower base by 60% in 6 months.

4. Too Much Fluff, Not Enough Substance

The Problem:
Long paragraphs describing responsibilities but no clear impact, outcomes, or metrics. Remember, recruiters don’t have time to read walls of text.

Quick Fix: Use concise bullet points. Focus on what you did, how you did it, and what happened as a result.

Formula: Action + Tool/Skill + Result

Example:

Automated monthly reporting using Excel macros, reducing report prep time by 40%.

5. Employment Gaps with No Context

The Problem:
Gaps of 6+ months without explanation raise red flags. Recruiters may assume the worst.

Quick Fix: Briefly explain the gap in your resume or cover letter.

Example:

Jan 2023 – Sept 2023 | Career Break: Focused on upskilling in data analytics and completed Google Data Analytics Certificate.

This shows learning or growth during a break, which builds trust.

6. Listing Irrelevant Experience

The Problem:
Say you are applying for a tech analyst role, then listing your part-time barista job (unless reframed for relevance) may not add value but clutter

Quick Fix: Tailor your resume to highlight experience that is relevant to the job description. Group unrelated or older roles under “Other Experience” if needed.

Pro Tip: Always match your skills and keywords to the job description. Recruiters often search by keywords first.

7. Typos and Grammar Errors

The Problem:
Even a small typo like "manged" instead of "managed" can cost you the interview. It reflects carelessness.

Quick Fix:

• Use spelling and grammar check in MS Word
• Run your resume through Grammarly or similar tools
• Ask a friend or mentor to proofread
• Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing

Final Thoughts: Make Your First 10 Seconds Count

Your resume is your personal marketing tool. If it doesn’t immediately show who you are, what you do best, and why you’re worth interviewing, it’s likely headed to the "No" pile.

The good news? Every red flag in this list can be fixed fast with a bit of attention and the right strategy. Do the research. Put in the effort. Polish your resume like your career depends on it—because it literally does.

And if you want to get there faster? Get expert help. Connect with Vipul Mali on Unstop for personalized 1:1 mentorship, building a strong, standout, recruiter-ready CV.

Suggested reads:

• Types Of Resumes For Job Search | A Guide With Examples And Tips
• Best Resume Format for Freshers in 2025: Key Features and Samples
• Do You Know The Difference Between CV And Resume? Find Out Now
• Accountant Resume Guide for Freshers & Experienced | Samples & Tips