Resume Mistakes to Avoid — Change Your Strategy Before It’s Too Late

If you’ve been sending out your resume for months with little or no response, it’s a clear sign something needs to change. For skilled migrants and international students, the resume is more than a list of jobs — it’s the key to overcoming the challenges of no local experience, limited networks, and stiff competition.

In this guide, we’ll look at the warning signs that your resume isn’t working, the common mistakes holding you back, and how to fix them so you can start landing interviews.

Sign 1: You’re Not Getting Interviews

If your applications never lead to interviews, your resume is either not reaching recruiters (due to ATS filters) or it’s not convincing them to call you. The first step is to tailor your resume for each role — matching keywords from the job description and highlighting your most relevant experience.

Example: Instead of 'Handled customer enquiries', say 'Resolved 95% of customer enquiries within 24 hours, improving satisfaction scores by 20%'. It’s specific, results-focused, and shows measurable value.

Sign 2: Recruiters Don’t Understand Your Value

Many skilled migrants have strong qualifications, but their resumes don’t clearly communicate how those skills apply to the local market. If your resume lists duties instead of achievements, or uses industry terms that aren’t common in Australia, recruiters may overlook you.

Make your achievements relevant to the local job market, and translate technical terms or job titles into language employers here will understand.

Sign 3: You’re Using an ATS-Unfriendly Format

A beautifully designed resume can still fail if the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can’t read it. ATS struggles with graphics, columns, unusual fonts, and headers/footers.

Stick to a clean, single-column layout. Use standard section headings like 'Work Experience', 'Education', and 'Skills'. Save your resume as a .docx or a PDF only if the job posting allows.

Sign 4: You Haven’t Updated It in Months (or Years)

If your resume hasn’t changed in a long time, it’s probably outdated. You may be missing recent achievements, in-demand skills, or a format that reflects current hiring practices.

Review your resume every time you apply for a job, and at least every few months, even if you’re not actively job hunting.

Sign 5: You’re Getting Interviews But No Offers

If you’re reaching the interview stage but not getting offers, your resume may be setting expectations that your interview performance isn’t matching — or you may be targeting roles that aren’t the right fit. In some cases, the problem isn’t the resume alone, but how it works as part of your overall job search strategy.

Consider whether the achievements on your resume match the skills you demonstrate in interviews.

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

From working with hundreds of international students and skilled migrants, here are the biggest resume mistakes I see:
- Using a generic, one-size-fits-all resume
- Focusing on duties instead of measurable results
- Including irrelevant work experience
- Formatting that fails ATS scans
- Typos, grammar errors, or unclear writing
- Leaving out important keywords from job ads
- Not updating your resume regularly

Bonus Tip: Think Like Both ATS and a Hiring Manager

ATS needs keywords. Humans need clarity. Your resume has to do both — pass the scan and persuade the reader. The best resumes strike a balance between keyword optimisation and compelling, concise writing.

Get a Resume That Opens Doors

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start getting results, download the Skilled Job Starter Kit. You’ll get:
- An ATS-friendly resume template
- A cover letter template that gets noticed
- A LinkedIn profile checklist
- Interview strategies that convert offers

This free resource has helped hundreds of international students and migrants land skilled jobs faster.

Get it here: https://www.theaho.co/free 

FAQs

How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?

Use a simple, single-column format with standard section headings and no graphics or unusual fonts.

How often should I update my resume?

Every time you apply for a job, and at least every few months to add new skills or achievements.

Can I use the same resume for all jobs?

You can use a base version, but you should always tailor it for each specific job to improve your chances.