Here are ten common resume mistakes Generation Z frequently makes—and tips for avoiding them:
1. Using Unprofessional Email Addresses
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Mistake: Personal or informal email addresses (e.g., [email protected]).
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Solution: Use a professional address with your name (e.g., [email protected]).
2. Including Unnecessary Personal Information
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Mistake: Listing personal details like age, full address, marital status, or photos.
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Solution: Keep personal details minimal; only list city and state, phone number, email, and LinkedIn.
3. Overusing Buzzwords
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Mistake: Filling the resume with clichés like “motivated,” “hard worker,” “team player.”
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Solution: Provide specific examples and measurable achievements instead.
4. Lack of Tailoring
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Mistake: Using the same resume for every job application.
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Solution: Tailor each resume to highlight skills and keywords relevant to each job posting.
5. Ignoring ATS-Friendly Formatting
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Mistake: Using complex layouts, graphics, or tables that don’t work with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
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Solution: Stick to a simple, clean, text-focused layout optimized for ATS.
6. Neglecting to Quantify Achievements
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Mistake: Listing duties rather than accomplishments (e.g., “Responsible for customer service”).
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Solution: Highlight specific results (“Improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%”).
7. Poor Grammar and Typos
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Mistake: Overlooking spelling and grammar errors.
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Solution: Proofread carefully, use tools like Grammarly, and ask someone to review.
8. Weak Professional Summary
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Mistake: Writing vague objectives or summaries.
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Solution: Create a concise, targeted professional summary clearly showcasing your value.
9. Lack of Professional Online Presence
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Mistake: Not having a LinkedIn profile or leaving your social media accounts unprofessional.
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Solution: Develop a professional LinkedIn profile and audit your online presence.
10. Listing Irrelevant Experience
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Mistake: Including all past jobs, regardless of relevance.
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Solution: Focus primarily on experience relevant to the job you’re applying for, emphasizing transferable skills.
Avoiding these mistakes helps Gen Z applicants create polished, professional resumes that increase their chances of landing interviews.
