10 ATS Resume Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are gatekeepers to your dream job. With 99% of Fortune 500 companies using ATS to screen resumes, avoiding these common mistakes is crucial for getting your resume seen by human recruiters.

1. Using Fancy Fonts and Formatting

**The Mistake:** Using decorative fonts, colours, tables, or complex formatting that ATS can't read.

**The Fix:** Stick to ATS-safe fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman (10-12pt). Use clean, single-column layouts with standard headings.

2. Keyword Stuffing

**The Mistake:** Overloading your resume with keywords without context or relevance.

**The Fix:** Maintain keyword density of 2.5-3.5% naturally within your experience descriptions. Use industry-specific terms that match job descriptions.

3. Missing Quantifiable Achievements

**The Mistake:** Listing job duties without measurable results.

**The Fix:** Use CAR/STAR methodology to showcase achievements with numbers. Instead of "Managed team," write "Led team of 5 to increase productivity by 30%."

4. Including Photos or Graphics

**The Mistake:** Adding headshots, company logos, or graphics to your resume.

**The Fix:** Keep your resume text-only. ATS can't process images, and they may cause parsing errors.

5. Using File Formats ATS Can't Read

**The Mistake:** Submitting resumes as .pages, .doc, or image files.

**The Fix:** Always use .docx or .txt formats for ATS compatibility. PDFs can work but may cause issues with some systems.

6. Hiding Important Information in Headers/Footers

**The Mistake:** Placing contact details or key skills in document headers or footers.

**The Fix:** Put all critical information in the main body of your resume where ATS can easily find it.

7. Using Acronyms Without Explanation

**The Mistake:** Assuming recruiters understand industry-specific acronyms.

**The Fix:** Spell out acronyms first, then use parentheses: "Customer Relationship Management (CRM)."

8. Ignoring Job Description Keywords

**The Mistake:** Using a generic resume for all applications.

**The Fix:** Customise each resume to match keywords and requirements from the specific job description.

9. Including Irrelevant Information

**The Mistake:** Adding hobbies, personal details, or outdated experience.

**The Fix:** Focus only on relevant experience from the last 10-15 years that aligns with your target role.

10. Poor Section Organisation

**The Mistake:** Random section order or missing standard resume sections.

**The Fix:** Follow this order: Contact Info, Professional Summary, Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications.

How Our AI Resume Builder Helps

Our ATS resume builder automatically avoids all these mistakes by: - Using ATS-safe formatting and fonts - Optimising keyword density (2.5-3.5%) - Applying CAR/STAR methodology to achievements - Ensuring proper section organisation - Delivering in ATS-compatible formats

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