HyperApply

Common resume mistakes that fail ATS

learn ats mistakes resume

On this page

Most ATS failures are preventable.

High-impact mistakes

  • missing clear section headings (Experience / Skills / Education)
  • using images for important text
  • hiding key skills only inside paragraphs (hard to parse)
  • inconsistent dates and titles
  • job title doesn’t match the role you’re applying for (in your header/summary)
  • keyword mismatch (you have the skill, but don’t mention it)

Fix fast

  • simplify formatting
  • keep headings standard
  • add a role-aligned summary
  • move relevant skills up
  • prove keywords in bullets

Related:

Related

  • ATS-friendly resume formatting

    ATS-friendly resumes prioritize clean structure: clear headings, consistent formatting, simple bullets, and readable text that parses reliably.

  • ATS keywords checklist

    A safe keyword checklist: prioritize role-critical skills, add them naturally in summary/skills, and prove them with outcome-driven bullets.

  • Common ATS issues and fixes

    Fix the most common ATS problems: parsing failures, missing keywords, unclear headings, inconsistent dates, and overly complex formatting.