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Resume ChecklistCommon MistakesATS GuideInterview Prep

Resume tips checklist

Tick these off before you hit submit. Every. Single. Time.

  • Tailor your resume for every single application — generic resumes get filtered out
  • Keep it to one page (two only if you have 10+ years of relevant experience)
  • Use a clean, single-column layout — no tables, headers/footers, or text boxes
  • Put your strongest, most relevant experience first
  • Start every bullet with a strong action verb (Led, Built, Reduced, Launched)
  • Quantify results wherever possible — numbers catch eyes ("Increased retention by 23%")
  • Include a skills section with keywords from the job description
  • Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@, not coolguy99@)
  • Proofread twice, then have someone else proofread it
  • Save and submit as PDF to preserve formatting

Common resume mistakes

We've reviewed thousands of resumes. These are the mistakes we see over and over — and how to fix each one.

Writing a generic objective statement

Fix: Replace with a tailored 2-line summary that mirrors the role's key requirements.

Listing responsibilities instead of achievements

Fix: Rewrite bullets as "Accomplished X by doing Y, resulting in Z."

Including every job you've ever had

Fix: Keep only the last 10-15 years. Drop unrelated roles or condense them into one line.

Using fancy templates with columns, icons, and graphics

Fix: ATS parsers choke on complex layouts. Stick to a clean, single-column format.

Typos and inconsistent formatting

Fix: One typo can disqualify you. Use consistent date formats, bullet styles, and tense.

Omitting keywords from the job description

Fix: Mirror the exact phrases the employer uses — that's what the ATS searches for.

Including personal info like age, photo, or marital status

Fix: In the US, leave these out entirely. They can trigger unconscious bias or legal issues.

Making your resume a wall of text

Fix: Use white space, clear section headers, and concise bullets (1-2 lines each).

ATS keyword optimization guide

Over 75% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems before a human ever sees them. Here's how to get past the robots.

1

Decode the job description

Read the posting three times. Highlight required skills, tools, and qualifications. These are your target keywords.

2

Match their language exactly

If the job says "project management," don't write "PM" or "managing projects." ATS systems often match exact phrases.

3

Prioritize the skills section

Create a dedicated skills section near the top. List hard skills that match the job requirements — programming languages, tools, certifications.

4

Weave keywords into experience bullets

Don't just stuff keywords into a list. Use them naturally in your achievement bullets so they read well to humans too.

5

Use standard section headings

"Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Certifications." Creative headings like "My Journey" confuse ATS parsers.

6

Skip the graphics, tables, and columns

ATS parsers read left-to-right, top-to-bottom. Multi-column layouts scramble your content. Keep it simple.

7

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Interview preparation tips

A great resume gets you the interview. These tips help you close the deal.

Before the Interview

  • Research the company's recent news, products, and culture — check their blog, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn
  • Prepare 5 STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) that cover leadership, conflict, failure, and collaboration
  • Practice out loud — answers that sound great in your head often stumble on the way out
  • Prepare 3-5 thoughtful questions to ask them (never "What does the company do?")
  • Test your tech setup the day before for virtual interviews — camera, mic, background, internet

During the Interview

  • Listen fully before answering — it's okay to pause for 2-3 seconds to think
  • Keep answers to 1-2 minutes. If they want more, they'll ask
  • Use specific examples, not hypotheticals — "I did" beats "I would" every time
  • Show enthusiasm for the role, not desperation — there's a difference
  • If you don't know something, say so honestly, then explain how you'd figure it out

After the Interview

  • Send a thank-you email within 24 hours — personalize it with something specific from the conversation
  • Follow up once after a week if you haven't heard back. Then wait.
  • Debrief yourself: what went well, what stumbled, what would you refine?
  • Log the interview in your application tracker so you don't lose context

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