When you're just starting out, your resume needs to get straight to the point. Unfortunately, many freshers trip over common pitfalls that hurt their chances with recruiters, ATS systems, or both. In this guide, we'll cover 17 critical mistakes freshers make on their resumes and show you exactly what to do instead, with examples, expert tips, and research-backed trends from 2025.
1. Typos, Grammar Errors and Formatting Glitches
Why it matters
Even a single typo can signal carelessness to recruiters, who typically spend 6-8 seconds reviewing a resume and expect professionalism.
Common causes
a. Multiple fonts or spacing inconsistencies that disrupt readability
b. Grammatical errors that hurt credibility
c. Inconsistent formatting across sections
How to fix it
a. Proofread thoroughly - read aloud, and use tools like Grammarly
b. Ask a friend or mentor to review it
c. Stick to one clean font (Arial/Calibri, 10-12 pt) with consistent formatting
d. Test rendering by saving as PDF and Word, then opening on different devices
2. Going Over One Page (For Freshers)
The trap
Freshers often overwhelm resumes with irrelevant or outdated info, pushing them beyond one page.
Why it hurts
a. Recruiters prefer a quick, crisp overview
b. ATS filters expect one-page resumes for early career roles
c. Shows inability to prioritize important information
How to fix it
a. Focus on 1-2 relevant projects or roles
b. Keep one page - trim any hiring-unrelated past jobs
c. Use bullets, not paragraphs, to stay concise
d. Remove outdated or irrelevant experiences
3. Using a Career Objective Instead of a Summary
Why it fails
Objectives like "seeking a challenging role" don't add value and eat up precious space.
What to do instead
Use a Professional Summary (2-3 lines):
Final-year B.Tech IT student with internship experience in Python and database management. Built a campus loan-management tool using Flask and MySQL that reduced processing time by 40%.
This shows focus, skills, and impact - far stronger than vague goals.
4. Including Irrelevant or Overused Skills
Common example
Including "MS Office" or "team-player" - skills everyone claims.
Why it hurts
a. Recruiters skip vague or cliche terms like "self-motivated"
b. ATS systems favor specific tools (e.g., Python, SQL)
c. Takes space away from relevant technical skills
How to fix
a. List 5-7 relevant, verifiable skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Figma)
b. Show them in context: "Built REST API in Python, handling 500 requests/day"
c. Remove generic soft skills that everyone claims
5. Listing Responsibilities, Not Achievements
The mistake
"Assisted in college fest planning" - that's just a duty, not an achievement.
Why it fails
Focus on results, not duties - quantified wins matter to recruiters and ATS systems.
How to fix
Use action + result + context format:
Organized university fest of 1,000+ attendees with a ₹200K budget - came under budget by 10% and achieved 20% higher attendance than previous year.
Metrics show real value and impact.
6. Poor Formatting Choices
What often happens
Freshers copy fancier resumes using columns, graphics, or icons thinking it looks professional.
Why it's a bad idea
a. ATS may break, skip, or misread sections
b. Recruiters don't spend time decoding complex layouts
c. Graphics and tables often don't parse correctly
How to fix
a. Stick to a one-column layout with clear headings ("Education," "Projects," "Skills")
b. Use bullet lists, consistent spacing, and bolded headers
c. Avoid tables, charts, icons, or colorful blocks
d. Test your resume through an ATS checker
7. No Keywords or Tailoring to Job
The problem
Sending generic resumes won't cut it - it won't pass ATS or impress recruiters.
How to fix
a. Copy or mirror exact keyword phrases from the job description (e.g., "machine learning," "team leadership")
b. Add keywords to the summary, skills section, and bullets naturally
c. Run your resume through an ATS-checker like SpeedUpHire, Jobscan, or Zety to measure match and improve
d. Customize for each application while keeping core structure
8. Unprofessional Contact Details
Frequent error
Using old, silly email IDs like partygirl2001@yahoo.com or incomplete phone numbers.
Why it's bad
Recruiters are less likely to trust unprofessional contacts, plus you may not be reachable.
How to fix
a. Use firstname.lastname@gmail.com or a clean variant
b. Provide city and country - not full street address
c. Update phone number and LinkedIn URL
d. Remove outdated or unprofessional social media handles
9. Including Irrelevant Personal Information
The mistake
Some freshers add a photo, date of birth, religion, or family details.
Why avoid it
a. Could break ATS or distract recruiters
b. Usually legally irrelevant, and personal details can lead to bias
c. Takes up valuable space for relevant information
How to fix
a. Remove photos, DOB, marital status, and references
b. Stick to city, country in contact info
c. Add LinkedIn URL or portfolio link if relevant
d. Focus space on skills and achievements instead
10. Using Passive Language and Pronouns
The mistake
Bullets starting with "I was responsible for..." or "My role involved..."
Why it's weak
Passive voice kills momentum - recruiters scan for impact and action.
How to fix
a. Begin bullets with strong action verbs: Developed, Designed, Managed, Delivered
b. Avoid "I," "My," or "Me." Keep it result-focused:
Developed MATLAB simulation reducing cycle time by 15%.
c. Use present tense for current roles, past tense for previous ones
11. No Tailoring for Remote or Hybrid Roles
The oversight
Unaware that remote skills are now a must-have in 2025.
Why it matters
Remote/hybrid roles expect remote tool proficiency and independent work habits.
How to fix
a. List tools like Zoom, Slack, Trello in your skills
b. Include a line in your summary if you've worked remotely:
"Thrived in virtual teams using Slack and Asana during 6-month online internship."
c. Highlight self-management and communication skills
12. Misaligned LinkedIn-Resume Profiles
The issue
Inconsistencies between resume and LinkedIn (titles, dates) raise red flags.
Recruiter insights
a. 88% check LinkedIn; mismatches hurt trust
b. Automated AI tools may cross-check and drop mismatched applications
How to fix
a. Ensure titles, dates, keywords match exactly on both platforms
b. Copy summaries so they align, then personalize slightly for tone
c. Update both simultaneously when making changes
13. Using Objective or Declaration Sections
The problem
Some add objective or declaration statements cluttering the top.
Why skip them
They take space and add no value - don't reflect skills or achievements.
How to fix
a. Remove both completely
b. Use the space for impactful bullets or a crisp professional summary
c. Let your achievements speak for themselves
14. Listing Irrelevant Projects or Activities
The pitfall
Including old college competitions or roles outside your target field.
Why it's distracting
Makes you look unfocused, and recruiters skip unrelated content.
How to fix
a. Include only relevant projects or extracurriculars
b. Focus on 2-3 key projects - bullet out key results: tools used, time saved, outcomes achieved
c. Show transferable skills even from unrelated experiences
15. No Actionable Metrics
The mistake
Saying "Led team" without offering context or measurable results.
Why it's weak
Recruiters look for numbers or results - metrics bump callback rates by approximately 40%.
How to fix
a. Include metrics: "reduced processing time by 30%," "handled ₹5L/month budget"
b. Even for freshers, use examples from academia, hackathons, or volunteering
c. Quantify wherever possible: team size, budget, timeline, improvement percentage
16. File Format and Naming Mistakes
A surprising mistake
Misnamed file like "resume-final.docx" or submitting as PDF when Word preferred.
Why it matters
ATS may reject odd formats or fail to parse important info.
How to fix
a. Name your file as: Neha_Sharma_Resume.docx or .pdf depending on instructions
b. Submit as Word .docx unless PDF is allowed - and test formatting
c. Avoid special characters or spaces in filename
17. Ignoring ATS Optimization
The oversight
Not understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems work and filter resumes.
Why it matters
Most companies use ATS to screen resumes before human review.
How to fix
a. Use standard section headings: "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills"
b. Include exact keywords from job descriptions
c. Avoid headers, footers, and complex formatting
d. Test your resume with ATS checkers before applying
Quick Fix Framework
Use this bullet plan to revise your fresher resume:
a. Proofread + formatting check
b. Trim to one page
c. Add professional summary
d. Tighten skill list to 5-7 strong, relevant items
e. Rewrite bullets with action + tool + metric
f. Tailor keywords from job ad
g. Add remote/hybrid experience if applicable
h. Match LinkedIn keywords and dates
i. Remove objective/declaration sections
j. Save properly as Firstname_Lastname_Resume.docx
Final Thought
Your resume doesn't need bells and whistles - it needs clarity, relevance, and impact. Fix these mistakes and you'll transform from overlooked to interview-worthy. Focus on showing value through specific examples and metrics, and always tailor your resume to the job you're applying for.
Remember: recruiters spend seconds, not minutes, on your resume. Make every word count.