5 Resume DONT’S That Could Be Holding You Back

When you're relaunching your career, your resume is one of your most powerful tools — but a few common mistakes can stop it from standing out.

Here are 5 resume DON'Ts to avoid (and what to do instead):

1. DON’T list every job you’ve ever had

We love your experience — but recruiters don’t need everything.
✅ Instead: Focus on the last 10–15 years and the roles most relevant to the jobs you're targeting now.

2. DON’T leave a big gap unexplained

A blank space on your resume invites assumptions.
✅ Instead: Briefly acknowledge the career break with confidence (e.g., Career Pause to Raise Children, 2019–2024) — then move on to your strengths.

3. DON’T lead with an objective

Old-school and too vague.
✅ Instead: Start with a short, powerful summary statement that highlights your value and skills.

4. DON’T forget keywords

Many companies use software to screen resumes.
✅ Instead: Use words and phrases from the job description to make sure your resume gets noticed.

5. DON’T downplay your break-year skills

You’ve grown more than you think.
✅ Instead: Highlight transferable skills like project management, leadership, communication, and multitasking — even if they happened outside a traditional job.

Your resume doesn’t need to be perfect — it needs to be honest, clear, and confidently you.

Need help giving your resume a fresh start? We’re here to help!