You’ve applied to dozens of jobs but never hear back. Sound familiar? It’s not always your experience — sometimes it’s your resume format.
More than 90% of large companies now use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to screen resumes. These systems automatically reject resumes that don’t meet specific technical or keyword requirements.
In this guide, we’ll show you the top 10 mistakes that cause resumes to fail ATS scans and how to easily fix them with our Free ATS Resume Scanner.
Also check: How to Make Your Resume Pass Any ATS in 2025.
1. Using Fancy Resume Templates
ATS software struggles to read resumes with:
- Tables or columns
- Graphics and icons
- Uncommon fonts or colors
💡 Fix: Use a simple, clean layout. The Opportunee Resume Builder automatically formats resumes in an ATS-friendly style — no design errors, just clarity.
2. Saving Your Resume as an Image or Scanned PDF
Many job seekers upload resumes exported as image-based PDFs, which ATS systems can’t read.
💡 Fix: Always save your file as .docx or text-based PDF. Afterward, upload it to the ATS Resume Checker to confirm it’s machine-readable.
3. Missing Job-Specific Keywords
ATS bots search for specific skills, job titles, and tools from the job description.
If you don’t include them, your resume will be marked “not relevant.”
💡 Fix: Copy the job post and compare it using the ATS Scanner — it will show missing keywords so you can add them before applying.
4. Inconsistent Job Titles or Dates
Mismatched job titles (e.g., “Sales Hero” instead of “Sales Representative”) or inconsistent work dates can confuse the system.
💡 Fix: Stick to standard job titles and clear timelines (e.g., Jan 2022 – Mar 2024).
❌ Inconsistent Job Titles or Dates
- Worked as "Sales Hero" at Apex Solutions | Feb 2021 – Jan 2022
- Worked as "Marketing Guru" at BrightStar Marketing | Mar 2022 – Present
💡 Fix:
- Use standard job titles and clear timelines:
- Sales Representative | Apex Solutions | Feb 2021 – Jan 2022
- Marketing Executive | BrightStar Marketing | Mar 2022 – Present
5. Overusing Images and Icons
Including icons for phone, email, or skills may look great to humans but can break ATS parsing.
💡 Fix: Replace icons with plain text. For example:
📞 → “Phone:”
✉️ → “Email:”
Use a minimalist template via the Resume Builder to stay safe.
6. Using Headers or Footers for Contact Info
ATS software often ignores header/footer sections — meaning your phone or email may be skipped.
💡 Fix: Place all contact info at the top of the main body, not in headers or footers.
7. Keyword Stuffing or Repetition
Trying to “game” the ATS by repeating words like “Marketing” 20 times will actually lower your score.
💡 Fix: Mention keywords naturally and use variations (e.g., “digital marketing,” “campaign strategy”).
8. Ignoring File Naming Conventions
ATS databases can reject files with random characters or long names.
💡 Fix: Save as Firstname_Lastname_Resume.docx — clean, simple, professional.
9. Not Matching Your Resume and Cover Letter
When your resume says one thing and your cover letter another, it signals inconsistency to recruiters and software alike. Check how to write a winning cover letter.
10. Skipping a Final ATS Test
The biggest mistake is not testing your resume before sending it.
💡 Fix: Run your final draft through the Free ATS Resume Scanner — it checks formatting, readability, and keyword match in seconds.
Conclusion
An ATS-friendly resume doesn’t need to be complex — just clean, keyword-rich, and readable.
Avoiding these 10 mistakes could mean the difference between getting rejected and landing your next interview.
🚀 Ready to see if your resume passes the test?
Scan it now with our Free ATS Resume Checker and get your instant score and improvement tips.