Your resume gets 6-7 seconds of attention. In that window, any one of these mistakes can send you straight to the reject pile.
Here are the 10 resume mistakes that hiring managers say they see constantly in 2025—and how to fix them.
1. Listing Duties Instead of Achievements
Wrong: "Managed social media accounts"
Right: "Grew Instagram following from 5K to 50K in 6 months, driving 35% increase in website traffic"
Quantified achievements increase your interview callback rate by 40%. Use numbers whenever possible.
2. One Resume for Every Job
When dozens of candidates tailor their resumes, your generic version stands out—in a bad way. Mirror keywords from each job description. It takes 10 extra minutes and doubles your chances.
3. Formatting That Breaks ATS
AI now screens 95% of resumes first. Tables, graphics, text boxes, and fancy fonts confuse the software. Stick with:
- Simple, single-column layout
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- .docx format when possible
- No images or icons
4. Missing Keywords
One hiring manager shared: "When hiring for a Director of SEO position, a shocking number of resumes didn't include the words 'SEO' or 'search' at all." No matter how qualified, they didn't get interviews.
5. Typos and Grammar Errors
Even a single typo signals lack of attention to detail. Run your resume through Grammarly, then have a friend proofread it. Fresh eyes catch what you miss.
6. Generic Professional Summary
"Results-oriented professional seeking new opportunities" tells the hiring manager nothing. Replace with specific value:
Better: "Product Manager with 7 years scaling B2B SaaS products from launch to $10M ARR. Expert in user research and agile development."
7. Inconsistency with LinkedIn
88% of recruiters check your LinkedIn profile. If your resume says you were "Director" but LinkedIn says "Manager," you've created an instant red flag about your honesty.
8. Including Obvious Skills
It's 2025. Everyone can use Microsoft Office and email. Don't waste space on skills that are assumed. Focus on specialized, differentiating abilities.
9. Repetitive Language
"Managed... managed... managed..." makes eyes glaze over. Vary your action verbs: led, developed, created, implemented, optimized, transformed.
10. Including Salary Information
Never put salary on your resume. It gives employers ammunition to lowball you and eliminates your negotiation leverage.
Bonus: "References Available Upon Request"
This phrase is obsolete. If employers want references, they'll ask. Don't waste the space.
The Quick Fix
Before submitting any application, ask yourself:
- Does every bullet point show an achievement, not just a duty?
- Does my resume include keywords from this specific job description?
- Is the formatting simple enough for ATS to read?
- Have I proofread it with fresh eyes?
Fix these mistakes, and you'll already be ahead of 80% of applicants.