11 Resume Mistakes to Avoid in 2025 (and How to Fix Them)

Common Resume Errors to Avoid in 2025

Key Takeaways:

• Resume errors are frequent mistakes that can hinder your application's ability to stand out.
• There are several resume mistakes you should aim to avoid in 2025.
• Minova's AI Resume Builder can assist you in identifying and correcting common errors with its built-in Resume Analysis feature.

Even small errors on your resume can prevent you from securing interviews. Recruiters often have limited time to review each application, leaving little room for mistakes that detract from your qualifications. What common pitfalls should you be aware of?

In this article, we'll explore common resume errors to avoid – from outdated formatting to imprecise job descriptions – and provide suggestions for correcting them.

What exactly constitutes a resume mistake? These are common errors that can prevent your application from making a strong impression. Examples include typos, missing details, irrelevant keywords, or outdated sections. Even minor errors can negatively impact a recruiter's perception, making it difficult for them to clearly see your skills and experience.

Here are 11 resume mistakes to steer clear of in 2025:

1. Missing Contact Information: Ensure your contact details are clearly displayed at the top of your resume. Include your city and state (no need for a full street address or zip code), a professional email address, phone number, and a link to your optimized LinkedIn profile. A personal website or portfolio can also be a valuable addition. If updating an older resume, double-check that your contact information is accurate.

2. Spelling and Grammar Errors: Spelling and grammatical errors can unfortunately eliminate you from consideration. Carefully review your resume for inconsistencies in spelling, grammar, and style. Ensure consistent punctuation and correct spelling of past employers' names. Always proofread before submitting your resume. Tools like Grammarly can help identify these errors.

3. Including a Career Objective: Including a career objective is a common mistake. Many hiring managers view this section as outdated and unnecessary. It's generally understood that your objective is to obtain the position you're applying for. Using that space to elaborate on your skills or past positions will be more beneficial.

4. Excluding a Target Title: The target title on your resume helps recruiters understand the type of role you're seeking. For example, if applying for a Social Media Manager position, include "Social Media Manager" or similar titles like "Social Media Marketing Manager" at the top of your resume. Avoid using irrelevant titles like "Financial Analyst," as this may not accurately reflect your qualifications. Ensure the target title aligns closely with the job description.

5. Not Including a Professional Summary: Recruiters often spend limited time initially reviewing resumes. A professional summary at the top of your resume is an effective way to capture their attention. A strong professional summary should be concise (3-5 sentences), highlight your key attributes, mention your current role and experience, include relevant metrics, and explain how you can contribute to the company.

6. Listing Duties Instead of Results: Highlighting achievements and impact over listing job duties is crucial. Stating job responsibilities alone doesn't showcase your accomplishments or value. Emphasizing results, such as process improvements, goal attainment, or significant outcomes, provides recruiters with a clear understanding of your contributions. Focusing on achievements makes your resume more compelling.

7. Incorporating Too Many Creative Elements: While creative elements can showcase your skills, excessive use can be overwhelming and hinder applicant tracking systems (ATS). Avoid hard-to-read fonts, uncommon margin sizes, low-contrast color combinations, photos, graphics, and unconventional layouts. These can be distracting and difficult for both hiring managers and ATS to process. If you're unsure about resume design, use a resume builder with templates that are ATS-friendly and easy to read.

8. Focusing on Irrelevant Keywords: Keywords in your work history, skills, and summary should align with the job duties of the role you're applying for. Irrelevant keywords won't demonstrate why a recruiter should hire you. For example, if applying for a Social Media Manager role, avoid keywords like "data entry" and focus on terms like "social media strategy" and "audience growth."

9. Missing Hard Skills: Forgetting to include hard skills is a significant error. If the job description emphasizes specific software or technical skills, ensure those skills are listed on your resume. They don't need to match perfectly, but the omission shouldn't be glaring. For example, if the job mentions Salesforce and HubSpot experience, include those specific titles if you have experience with those platforms.

10. Not Meeting Job Requirements: While you don't need to meet 100% of the job requirements, aim to meet at least 70-80%. Review the requirements and assess if you're a close fit. If so, apply!

11. Making Your Resume Too Long: Your resume doesn't need to be lengthy to be effective. If you have fewer than ten years of experience or are changing careers, keep your resume to one or two pages. A concise, impactful resume is easier to scan and forces you to focus on the most important details.

By avoiding these common resume errors, you'll be well on your way to creating a resume that advances you in the hiring process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest resume mistake?

The biggest resume mistake is listing job duties instead of showcasing achievements and impact. Recruiters want to see how you've contributed to past roles, so focus on quantifiable successes that demonstrate your value, such as increased sales, improved processes, or successful projects.

Can errors on a resume disqualify you?

Yes, errors on a resume can disqualify you. Even minor mistakes like typos or outdated formatting can cause hiring managers to question your attention to detail and professionalism.

What if I made a mistake on my resume?

If you made a mistake on your resume, correct it as soon as possible. If you've already applied, consider resubmitting a revised version or reaching out to the recruiter with an updated resume, especially if the mistake impacts key information.

How many mistakes are acceptable on a resume?

Ideally, your resume should be completely error-free. Even one or two mistakes can be enough to disqualify you, as hiring managers may interpret these as a lack of attention to detail.