Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Get Rejected by ATS

Why Your Resume Might Be Getting Auto-Rejected

You're qualified for the job. Your experience is relevant. But you never hear back.

The culprit? Your resume might be getting filtered out by ATS before any human sees it.

Here are the top 10 mistakes that trigger automatic rejection—and how to fix them.

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Mistake #1: Using Graphics and Images

The Problem:

ATS systems cannot read images, graphics, charts, or icons. That beautiful infographic resume? The ATS sees a blank page.

The Fix:

Remove all images and graphics

Use text-based bullet points instead of icons

Save visual resumes for in-person interviews only

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Mistake #2: Fancy Formatting and Tables

The Problem:

Tables, columns, and text boxes confuse ATS parsing. Your carefully organized layout becomes scrambled data.

The Fix:

Use a single-column layout

Avoid tables for organizing information

Use clear section headings instead of visual dividers

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Mistake #3: Missing Keywords

The Problem:

If the job requires "Project Management" and your resume says "led projects," the ATS might not make the connection.

The Fix:

Mirror exact phrases from the job description

Use our ATS Keyword Tool to identify gaps

Include both acronyms and full terms

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Mistake #4: Incorrect File Format

The Problem:

.pdf files can have parsing issues

.pages, .odt files often fail completely

Images (.jpg, .png) are unreadable

The Fix:

Use .docx as your default format

If PDF is required, test it with an ATS checker first

Never submit image-based resumes

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Mistake #5: Creative Section Headers

The Problem:

ATS looks for standard headers. "My Coding Adventures" doesn't register as "Work Experience."

The Fix:

Use conventional headers:

✅ Work Experience (not "Career Journey")

✅ Education (not "Academic Background")

✅ Skills (not "Toolkit" or "Arsenal")

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Mistake #6: Spelling Errors in Keywords

The Problem:

"JavaScipt" won't match "JavaScript." Spell-check doesn't catch everything.

The Fix:

Double-check technical terms manually

Copy-paste keywords from the job description

Have someone else proofread

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Mistake #7: Not Tailoring for Each Job

The Problem:

A generic resume matches fewer keywords than one tailored to the specific job.

The Fix:

Customize your resume for each application

Prioritize the most-mentioned keywords

Focus on the top 10-15 requirements

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Mistake #8: Missing Contact Information

The Problem:

If ATS can't parse your email or phone, you can't be contacted—even if you score high.

The Fix:

Put contact info at the top in plain text

Don't use headers/footers for contact details

Include: Name, Email, Phone, LinkedIn, Location (City, State)

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Mistake #9: Using Headers and Footers

The Problem:

Many ATS systems skip headers and footers entirely. Critical information gets lost.

The Fix:

Place all content in the main body

Don't put your name or page numbers in headers

Keep everything between the margins

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Mistake #10: Keyword Stuffing

The Problem:

Some people try to game ATS by stuffing invisible keywords (white text on white background) or repeating words excessively.

The Fix:

Modern ATS detects and penalizes this

Use keywords naturally within context

Quality over quantity—relevance matters

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Quick ATS Checklist

Before you submit, verify:

[ ] No graphics or images

[ ] Single-column, simple layout

[ ] .docx format (or tested PDF)

[ ] Standard section headers

[ ] Keywords from job description included

[ ] Contact info in main body

[ ] Proofread for spelling errors

[ ] Tailored for this specific role

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Test Before You Submit

Don't guess whether your resume will pass. Use our free ATS scanner to:

1. Compare your resume against the job description

2. Identify missing keywords

3. Get a match percentage

4. See exactly what to add

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A few small fixes can be the difference between rejection and an interview. Check your resume now.