Common Resume Mistakes

Oct 12, 2026 | Job Searching, Resume Writing

What are the most common resume mistakes to avoid?

QUESTION: What are the most common resume mistakes to avoid?

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Kate Williamson, Scientech Resumes

The #1 resume mistake I see people make repeatedly is writing it for the role they have—or too broadly—rather than the role they want. A one-size-fits-all resume doesn’t speak to anyone. Your resume needs to position you as the solution for the role, making it immediately clear to hiring professionals how your experience, skills, and unique value align with what they need.

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Jaime Chambron , Career Agility System

Common resume mistakes: listing duties instead of results, no metrics, generic summaries that skip your true seniority, keyword mismatch with the ATS, dense paragraphs instead of scannable bullets, outdated or overly long formats, and inconsistent titles or dates that raise red flags with AI screening tools.

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Alison King, King Career Services

In-person networking allows you to lead with your personality; it’s especially helpful if you’re searching for a job locally. Online networking is ideal for introverts who dread a “cocktail party” atmosphere. You can extend your network far beyond your hometown, which is great if you’re making a move. Either way, remember to stay curious and make the connection mutually beneficial.

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