Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Get You Rejected (And How to Fix Them)

Recruiters spend an average of just 7 seconds scanning your resume. In that tiny window, common mistakes can instantly disqualify you — no matter how qualified you are. Here are the top 10 resume mistakes and how to fix them:

1. Generic Objective Statement ❌ "Seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company" ✅ Replace with a strong professional summary: "Data Analyst with 3 years of experience in SQL, Power BI, and Python, driving 25% efficiency improvements in reporting."

2. Spelling and Grammar Errors Even one typo signals carelessness. Run your resume through Grammarly and ask a friend to proofread.

3. Too Long (Over 2 Pages) Keep it to 1 page for freshers and 2 pages max for experienced professionals. Recruiters don't read 5-page resumes.

4. No Quantifiable Achievements ❌ "Managed a team" ✅ "Managed a team of 8 engineers, delivering projects 15% ahead of schedule"

5. Irrelevant Information Remove hobbies like "listening to music" unless they relate to the role. Every line should prove your value.

6. Poor Formatting Use consistent fonts (Arial or Calibri, 10-12pt), clear section headings, and adequate white space. Avoid fancy graphics — they break ATS scanners.

7. Missing Keywords Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). If your resume doesn't contain keywords from the job description, it never reaches a human.

8. No Action Verbs Start bullets with strong verbs: Led, Built, Increased, Reduced, Implemented, Designed — not "Responsible for" or "Worked on."

9. Including Salary Information Never put current or expected salary on your resume. It either prices you out or locks you in.

10. Outdated Contact Information Double-check your email and phone number. An unprofessional email (coolboy99@gmail.com) gets you rejected instantly.

Pro tip: Use DecaJobs' free AI Resume Checker to instantly score your resume and get personalized improvement suggestions.