What’s Wrong With My Resume? Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting You Interviews
- fullifecoaching
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 18
Hey job seeker, I see you being dedicated, driven, and applying to every job that feels like a fit. You’re putting in the work, so why isn’t it paying off?
When I was a Disney intern, I found myself in an unexpected situation—critiquing a stranger’s resume during a meet-and-greet with a senior executive. That moment taught me the importance of perfecting your resume. Your resume is YOU in paper form, and it’s your one chance to make a stellar first impression.
Here’s some tough love that you might not realize: your resume could be working against you. Hiring managers aren’t ignoring your effort, but common mistakes like unreadable formatting, generic applications, or small details you’ve overlooked could be holding you back.
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, make your resume better, and start landing interviews, it’s time to rethink your approach.
Here are the 6 resume pitfalls that could be keeping you from standing out:
1. Your formatting is unreadable by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Over 75% of recruiters today use ATS to screen resumes. That means if the system can’t read your resume, it’s game over before a human even sees it.
Also: Fancy designs created in Canva, InDesign, or Illustrator might look stunning, but these programs export the text as images, making them next to invisible to ATS. Imagine pouring hours into crafting a stunning resume in Canva or InDesign, only to have it tossed aside by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) because it couldn’t read it!
My Advice: Keep it simple. Use Microsoft Word or Google Docs with text-centric capabilities. Avoid tables, graphics, or text embedded in images. Trust me, it’ll look just as polished without the frills, and it’ll make it past the digital gatekeeper.
2. You’re not tailoring your resume for each job posting.
Sending out a generic resume is like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work.
Recruiters are looking for resumes that reflect the exact skills and keywords mentioned in the job posting, so take time to tweak your resume for each role.
My Advice: Review each job posting and sprinkle in those magic keywords where applicable. Take it up a notch (and save yourself TONS of time) with tools like ChatGPT to help you craft tailored bullet points that scream, “I’m your ideal candidate!”
3. You have typos or misspellings.
A simple mistake can cost you big time. Nothing screams “unprofessional” louder than a typo. A single misspelling can take your otherwise stellar resume and toss it into the “no” pile faster than you can say “attention to detail.”
My Advice: Run your resume through a tool like Grammarly or ask a trusted friend or professional (like me!) to proofread it. Fresh eyes catch what yours might miss.
4. Your location doesn’t match the job.
This one’s tricky. If the job you’re applying for is in Chicago and your resume says you’re in Orlando, you might be automatically disqualified.
My Advice: Take your location off entirely if it doesn’t align with the job’s location. These days, many jobs have a remote or hybrid factor anyway, so it’s not always a dealbreaker.
5. You’re not building relationships.
Applying online is like buying a lottery ticket—low odds of success.
Want to stack the deck in your favor? Network!
My Advice: Networking is your secret weapon. Reach out for informational interviews or casual chats with people in the department you’re interested in (here’s how!) You’ll gain valuable insights and maybe even an internal referral. Remember, your resume gets you in the door, but relationships seal the deal.
6. You’re not asking for help.
It’s not necessarily your resume that’s holding you back from getting the job. It could be your job search strategy or how you’re positioning yourself. A second set of eyes (on your strategy and your resume!) from someone who’s helped hundreds of people land jobs could be just what you need.
Ali Goodin
Ali is a certified career coach, former Disney cast member, and creative professional turned career transition expert based in Central Florida. Founder of Ful Life Coaching, Ali helps job seekers, career changers, and growth-minded professionals confidently navigate career transitions. Whether you're pursuing a new role, switching industries, or seeking greater purpose in your work, Ali provides personalized coaching, job search strategy, and resume support to help you build a fulfilling, balanced career at any stage of life.
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