A guide from someone who’s read 800+ resumes - and binned half of them within 30 seconds
Let’s not romanticize it: writing a resume is awkward. It feels like selling yourself on paper with just enough enthusiasm to sound competent, but not so much that you look desperate.
The real problem? Most resumes fail for the same few reasons - and they’re completely avoidable.
I’ve reviewed resumes for corporate roles, internships, design jobs, and research positions. I’ve also helped friends fix theirs the night before a deadline more times than I can count. So here’s what I’ve learned:
- Starting with an Objective Statement That Says Nothing
Mistake:
“Motivated professional seeking a challenging role where I can utilize my skills and grow with the company.”
This sounds like it was written by ChatGPT in 2017. It tells me nothing about you, and it wastes prime space at the top of the page.
Fix: Open with a concise summary or a value proposition. One or two sentences max.
Example:
Final-year economics student with hands-on experience in financial modeling and research. Interned at a fintech startup, contributing to revenue forecasting models used in investor reports.
This tells me what you do, what you’ve done, and what you’re ready for - in 2 lines.
- Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements
Another classic.
Bad:
“Responsible for managing social media platforms and engaging with followers.”
Cool. But what changed because you were there?
Better:
“Grew Instagram engagement by 47% in three months by launching a user-generated content campaign and analyzing optimal posting times.”
This shows impact. That you thought, acted, and made something happen. Always quantify when you can - even if it’s approximate.
- Writing Like You’re Still in High School
Too many resumes read like a yearbook caption. Avoid phrases like:
- “Hard-working and friendly individual”
- “People person with a positive attitude”
- “Team player who works well independently or with others”
None of that gets you hired. Focus on skills and outcomes.
Instead of:
“Worked at café and interacted with customers.”
Try:
“Managed high-volume customer service in a fast-paced café environment, resolving complaints and training two new staff members.”
It’s still a part-time job, but now it shows professionalism, responsibility, and initiative.
- Too Much Design - or None at All
Don’t confuse resume design with graphic design. Unless you’re applying for a job in UX, branding, or visual arts, clarity > creativity.
But on the flip side, don’t use the same default Word template everyone else does. You want some design:
- Make section headings bold
- Use white space wisely
- Keep fonts professional (no Times New Roman, no Comic Sans, obviously)
- Don’t cram in walls of text - let your words breathe
Use one column. Don’t overcomplicate.
- Including Everything You’ve Ever Done
A resume is not a personal archive.
That part-time job scooping gelato five years ago? Unless it taught you logistics, management, or customer recovery skills - cut it.
Same for irrelevant clubs, minor certifications, or random online courses that aren’t tied to the role.
Ask:
Does this support the story I want the recruiter to see? If not, delete.
- Poor File Naming and Formats
This seems small. It’s not.
Mistake:
Uploading a file named ResumeFinal2022_LASTTRY.docx.
Fix:
Name it cleanly:
Taylor_Mason_Resume.pdf or Elena_Ramos_ProductAnalyst_CV.pdf
Always use PDF unless the job specifically asks for Word. PDFs lock formatting. Word files might look off on other systems - or worse, open with those weird red squiggly lines everywhere.
- Forgetting That "Tailoring" Isn’t Just a Buzzword
You don’t need a whole new resume for every job, but you do need to make it feel like you’re applying on purpose.
Change your summary line. Reorder bullet points. Swap out less-relevant experience for something closer to the job description.
Example:
Applying for a data role? Emphasize SQL, Excel projects, analytics.
Marketing job? Lead with campaign experience, growth metrics, engagement stats.
They should feel like you built the resume for this role - not like you blasted the same version to 43 different listings.
- Leaving Out Keywords (Then Wondering Why You Never Hear Back)
If your resume never gets past the application portal, this is likely why.
Many companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scan resumes for specific terms from the job description.
If the job mentions “qualitative research” and “SPSS,” and your resume says “analyzed feedback” - the system might not recognize you as a match.
Tip: Take 3–4 key terms from the job ad and make sure they appear - naturally - in your experience or skills section.
- Typos, Inconsistencies, and Lazy Errors
You’d be surprised how many resumes say “detail-oriented” and then spell "mangement" wrong in the next line.
Run a spell check. Then run it again. Read it out loud. Check that:
- Dates align
- Bullet formatting is consistent
- Capitalization is the same throughout
- You didn’t write “lead” when you meant “led”
It’s tedious, but nothing screams “I didn’t care that much” like a typo in a 1-page document.
Bonus: A Quick Layout That Actually Works (1-page version)
Name
Email | LinkedIn | Portfolio (if relevant)
Professional Summary
1–2 sentences that explain what you do and what you bring.
Experience
Job Title – Company Name (Month Year – Month Year)
• Bullet point describing achievement or result
• Bullet point with metric, skill used, and impact
Education
Degree – University (Year)
• Any distinctions, thesis title, or relevant modules
Skills
• Tools: Excel, Python, Canva, SPSS
• Soft skills: stakeholder communication, time management
• Languages (if relevant)
You’re not trying to write the perfect resume - just one that gets you into the room. That means clarity, relevance, and enough personality to show you’re not just a keyword machine.
Less fluff. More proof.
Less “team player,” more “built a scheduling system that reduced order errors by 32%.”
Treat your resume like a sales pitch with evidence. No filler. No apologies.
If you'd like, I can also give you a version tailored for a specific role - marketing, finance, tech, academia, etc. Just let me know your target.
