How to Stand Out and Avoid Common Mistakes
In today’s job market, your resume isn’t just a summary — it’s your first impression, your elevator pitch, and sometimes your only shot at getting through the front door.
At Dunhill Staffing Systems, we review thousands of resumes each year. And we see a pattern: many job seekers — even highly qualified ones — are being rejected not for lack of experience, but because of easily fixable resume mistakes.
If you’re not getting the responses you expect, it might be time for a resume refresh. Here are the most common mistakes we see — and best practices to make your resume rise to the top.
1. Not Tailoring the Resume to the Job
The mistake:
Using the same resume for every job application.
Why it gets rejected:
Hiring managers can tell when your resume is generic. If your skills don’t clearly align with the job posting, you may not make it past the first review — especially if the company uses an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to filter resumes.
Best practice:
- Customize your summary and keywords to reflect the job description.
- Mirror the language of the posting — especially for technical terms, certifications, and tools.
- Highlight 2–3 accomplishments that directly relate to the role you’re applying for.
2. Failing the “6-Second Test”
The mistake:
Overloading the resume with too much information or poor formatting.
Why it gets rejected:
Most recruiters spend just 6 to 8 seconds on an initial resume scan. If your resume isn’t scannable or has dense paragraphs, it won’t get the attention it deserves.
Best practice:
- Use clean formatting with bold headers and bullet points.
- Stick to one font style and minimize color.
- Prioritize the top third of your resume — this is where the recruiter looks first.
3. Listing Responsibilities, Not Results
The mistake:
Copying and pasting your job description instead of focusing on accomplishments.
Why it gets rejected:
Employers want to know how you made an impact — not just what you were supposed to do.
Best practice:
- Use action verbs like “led,” “developed,” “increased,” or “streamlined.”
- Quantify your achievements: “Reduced cost overruns by 18%” is stronger than “Managed budgets.”
- Focus on outcomes, not tasks.
4. Including Irrelevant or Outdated Information
The mistake:
Adding jobs from 20 years ago or listing every single duty you’ve ever had.
Why it gets rejected:
Too much detail clutters your story. It also raises red flags about being out of touch with current tools and practices.
Best practice:
- Focus on the last 10–15 years of experience.
- Keep your resume to 1 page (entry-level) or 2 pages (experienced professionals).
- Only include older roles if they’re highly relevant.
5. Using the Wrong Resume Format
The mistake:
Using an outdated or overly designed format that doesn’t work with ATS software.
Why it gets rejected:
Many resumes never make it to human eyes because they can’t be read by screening software.
Best practice:
- Use a chronological or hybrid resume format.
- Avoid tables, graphics, and text boxes — they often confuse ATS systems.
- Save and submit in PDF or Word format, depending on what the employer requests.
6. Spelling, Grammar, and Sloppy Presentation
The mistake:
Typos, inconsistent formatting, or missing information.
Why it gets rejected:
Even a minor error can make you look careless — not ideal if you’re applying for a role where attention to detail matters.
Best practice:
- Run your resume through a spelling and grammar checker.
- Have a friend (or recruiter!) proofread it.
- Ensure alignment, spacing, and font sizes are consistent throughout.
7. Ignoring the Summary Section
The mistake:
Leaving off a professional summary or filling it with vague clichés.
Why it gets rejected:
The summary is your chance to hook the reader. Without it, they’re guessing who you are and what you’re about.
Best practice:
- Include a 2–3 sentence summary at the top of your resume.
- Clearly state your title, years of experience, industry focus, and one or two standout achievements.
- Tailor this section to the specific role whenever possible.
Bonus Tips for 2025 Job Seekers
- Optimize for ATS: Use keywords from the job description naturally in your resume.
- Include certifications and tools: Especially for engineering, accounting, or tech-related roles.
- Add a skills section: Highlight core competencies such as AutoCAD, GAAP, Six Sigma, or project management tools.
Final Thoughts
Your resume is more than a list of jobs — it’s a marketing tool. In a market where competition is fierce and hiring managers are overwhelmed, your ability to communicate clearly and confidently on paper makes all the difference.
At Dunhill Staffing Systems, we work with candidates every day to refine and elevate their resumes. Whether you’re an engineer, accountant, or professional manager, we can help you stand out — and get noticed by companies that are actively hiring.
✨ Ready for a Resume Refresh?
If you’re tired of hearing nothing back after applying, let our recruiters help. We speak your language — whether it’s engineering, finance, or operations — and we know what hiring managers are really looking for.
👉 Submit Your Resume to Dunhill
