After reviewing more than 10,000 résumés throughout his career as a Vice President, Ethan Evans has identified six major mistakes that job seekers commonly make—errors that could potentially eliminate candidates from consideration before they even reach the interview stage.
Evans, who has extensive hiring experience at the executive level, has developed a keen eye for spotting red flags in job applications. His insights offer valuable guidance for job seekers looking to make their résumés stand out for the right reasons.
Common Résumé Blunders That Hurt Your Chances
According to Evans, the first critical mistake many applicants make is failing to tailor their résumé to the specific job they’re applying for. “Generic résumés rarely make it past initial screening,” Evans notes. He emphasizes that customizing your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description significantly increases your chances of getting noticed.
The second major error involves poor formatting and organization. Evans points out that hiring managers often spend less than 30 seconds scanning a résumé initially. If your document is cluttered, hard to read, or lacks clear sections, it may be immediately discarded regardless of your qualifications.
Typos and grammatical errors constitute the third mistake that Evans identifies as particularly damaging. “These simple errors signal carelessness and lack of attention to detail,” he explains. Even a single spelling mistake can create a negative impression that’s difficult to overcome.
Content and Presentation Issues
The fourth mistake involves focusing too much on job duties rather than accomplishments. Evans stresses that listing day-to-day responsibilities without showing measurable results fails to demonstrate your value to potential employers. He recommends using specific metrics and outcomes to showcase your impact in previous roles.
Excessive length represents the fifth common error. “Many candidates believe more information is better, but that’s not the case,” Evans states. He advises keeping résumés concise—typically one page for early-career professionals and no more than two pages for those with extensive experience.
The final mistake Evans highlights is including outdated or irrelevant information. This includes listing obsolete skills, very old work experiences, or personal details that don’t relate to your professional capabilities. He suggests regularly updating your résumé to reflect current industry standards and removing information that doesn’t strengthen your candidacy.
Practical Solutions for Job Seekers
Evans offers practical advice for avoiding these pitfalls:
- Have at least two people proofread your résumé before submission
- Use action verbs and quantifiable achievements
- Research the company and position to align your résumé with their needs
- Maintain a clean, consistent format with adequate white space
- Focus on recent, relevant experience that matches the job requirements
“The résumé is your first opportunity to make an impression,” Evans says. “It should be treated as a marketing document that sells your skills and experience in the most compelling way possible.”
For job seekers facing a competitive market, addressing these six common mistakes could make the difference between landing an interview or facing continued rejection. Evans suggests that applicants take the time to review their résumés through the eyes of a hiring manager, asking themselves if the document clearly and quickly communicates their value proposition.
By avoiding these critical errors, candidates can significantly improve their chances of making it through the initial screening process and securing interviews for positions that match their qualifications and career goals.
Howie Jones
My name is Howie and I'm a Customer Success Manager at Calendar. I like to ensure our customers get the best experience using our product. If you have questions email me howie at calendar.com