The #1 Resume Mistake I See (and Why It Gets You Rejected)

Most resumes don’t get rejected because the candidate isn’t qualified.
They get rejected because the resume never explains why the experience matters.

Here’s the mistake I see constantly:
People list tasks instead of outcomes.

You’ll see bullets like:

• Managed projects

• Supported cross-functional teams

• Responsible for timelines

None of that is wrong. It’s just… empty.

Recruiters aren’t hiring for responsibility. They’re hiring for impact.

The real issue isn’t your experience—it’s that the resume never answers the silent question every recruiter is asking:
“So what changed because you were there?”

What to do instead:

Shift every bullet to include one of the following:

• What problem existed

• What decision you made

• What improved because of your work

You don’t need metrics everywhere. You need context.

Instead of:

Managed product launches

Try:

Led cross-functional product launches by aligning design, development, and sourcing teams to hit seasonal deadlines

Same role. Very different signal.

A strong resume doesn’t list everything you’ve done.
It highlights what proves you’re ready for the next role.

If your resume feels “fine” but not compelling, that’s usually the gap.