I’ve had the privilege of reviewing thousands of student resumes over the last couple of years. From entry-level internships to full-time positions, I’ve seen it all – the good, the bad, and the easily avoidable. A well-crafted resume can open doors, but common pitfalls can close them just as quickly. In this article, I’ll share the most frequent mistakes I encounter, along with simple, actionable tips to help you refine your resume and stand out to employers. Whether you’re a freshman building your first resume or a senior applying for jobs, these insights can make a big difference.

Why Your Resume Matters

Your resume is often the first impression you make on a recruiter or hiring manager. In a competitive job market, it needs to be clear, concise, and error-free. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords, and human readers skim them in seconds. Avoiding these blunders ensures your document is professional, scannable, and focused on your strengths.

Common Resume Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Here are the top issues I see time and again, presented in no particular order. Each one is preventable with a little attention to detail.

• Typos: Even a single spelling or grammar error can undermine your credibility.
  • Fix: Proofread multiple times and use tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly to catch what you might miss.
• Multiple Fonts: A mix of fonts makes your resume look disorganized and unprofessional.
  • Fix: Select all text (Cmd/Ctrl+A) and apply a single, clean font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12 pt).
• Full Address in the Header: Including your street address isn’t necessary and can take up valuable space.
  • Fix: Stick to your city and state (or country if applying internationally) for privacy and brevity.
• Unprofessional File Name: Names like “Resume_v3_final.docx” scream disorganization.
  • Fix: Use a clear format like “[Your Name] Resume_[Organization] [Role].pdf” to make it easy for recruiters to identify.
• Using Personal Pronouns (“I,” “my”): Resumes should be succinct and action oriented.
  • Fix: Drop pronouns entirely and lead with strong verbs (e.g., “Led team project” instead of “I led a team project”).
• Unevenly Right-Aligned Dates: Misaligned dates distract from your content.
  • Fix: Search for “Word/Docs right tab stop” tutorials to align them neatly on the right margin.
• Incorrect Order of Positions: Listing experiences out of sequence confuses readers.
  • Fix: Use reverse chronological order – most recent education and experience first.
• Weak or Vague Bullet Descriptions: Generic statements fail to showcase impact.
  • Fix: Adopt the “Google XYZ formula” (X = action verb, Y = task, Z = result), e.g., “Developed marketing strategy (X) for social media campaign (Y) that increased engagement by 30% (Z).”
• Not Customized LinkedIn URL: A default URL with random numbers looks sloppy.
  • Fix: Google “Custom LinkedIn URL” for steps to create a personalized one, like linkedin.com/in/yourname.
• Listing High School Activities: These become irrelevant after your first year of college.
  • Fix: Remove them unless you’re a freshman with limited college experience.
• No White Space Between Sections: A cluttered resume is hard to read.
  • Fix: Add uniform spacing (e.g., one line between sections) to improve scannability and flow.
• Vague Working Dates in Experiences: Terms like “Summer 2024” lack precision.
  • Fix: Use specific formats like “May 2024 — Aug 2024” for clarity.
• Using Paragraphs Instead of Bullets: Dense paragraphs overwhelm readers.
  • Fix: Switch to bullets – aim for 3–6 per role to keep it concise and easy to scan.
• Burying Key Bullets in the Middle or End: Important achievements get lost.
  • Fix: Prioritize the most relevant and impactful bullets at the top of each section.
• No Bullets Under Leadership or Volunteering Roles: These experiences deserve equal weight.
  • Fix: Add impact-driven bullets, treating them like professional positions (e.g., “Organized event for 200 attendees, raising $5,000 for charity”).
• Templates with Columns, Visuals, or Charts: Fancy designs often break in ATS and distract.
  • Fix: Opt for a simple, one-column, black-and-white layout with no graphics.
• No Quantifiable Outcomes or Impact in Bullets: Without results, your contributions feel flat.
  • Fix: Add the “so what” – quantify changes, like “Reduced processing time by 25% through streamlined workflows.”
• Unclear Graduation Dates: Just “2026” leaves ambiguity.
  • Fix: Specify “Expected May 2026” or similar for precision.
• Weak Action Verbs (“Responsible for,” “Helped with”): These dilute your accomplishments.
  • Fix: Use direct, powerful verbs like “Led,” “Designed,” “Analyzed,” or “Built.”
• Mixing Past and Present Tense in Bullets: Inconsistency looks careless.
  • Fix: Past tense for completed roles; present tense for ongoing ones.
• Skills Section Full of Soft Skills (e.g., Teamwork): Soft skills are assumed; they don’t stand out.
  • Fix: Focus on hard skills and certifications; integrate soft skills into experience descriptions.
• Including a “References Upon Request” Section: This is outdated and unnecessary.
  • Fix: Remove it and add recommendations to your LinkedIn profile instead.
• Irrelevant Coursework in “Relevant Coursework” Section: Listing too many dilutes relevance.
  • Fix: Limit to 2-3 courses directly tied to the role.
• Fluff (e.g., “Driven and Passionate Team Player Seeking…” ): Generic statements add no value.
  • Fix: Avoid broad claims; let your experiences speak for themselves.
• Using Graphics to Show Skill Levels: Pie charts, bars, or stars don’t prove expertise.
  • Fix: List skills plainly without visuals.
• Including a Headshot: Photos can introduce bias and aren’t standard.
  • Fix: Omit unless in fields like performing arts or media where it’s industry norm.
• Irrelevant Skills in the Skills Section: Padding with unrelated abilities wastes space.
  • Fix: Exclude things like social media skills if not job-related, and only list languages if you’re proficient for work use.

Additional Tips for Resume Success

Beyond these common errors, here are a few more strategies I’ve gleaned from years in career advising:

• Keep It to One Page: For students and entry-level applicants, brevity is key. Focus on quality over quantity.
• Avoid Overusing Buzzwords: Terms like “synergized” or “thought leader” ring hollow without context. Stick to authentic achievements.
• Tailor for Each Application: A generic resume rarely wins. Customize by emphasizing skills and experiences that match the job description.
• Stick to Standard Fonts: Fancy or non-standard fonts may not render well in ATS. Prioritize readability and compatibility.

Final Thoughts

Polishing your resume doesn’t have to be overwhelming – small changes can yield big results. By steering clear of these mistakes, you’ll present a professional document that highlights your potential. If you’re a student at [Your University/Institution], I encourage you to book a one-on-one review through our career portal for personalized feedback. Remember, your resume is a living document; update it regularly as you gain new experiences.