7 Resume Mistakes That Get Freshers Rejected by ATS

Using Tables, Columns, or Graphics for Layout

ATS software often can't read content placed in tables, text boxes, or multi-column layouts, causing entire sections to be skipped. Use a single-column, simple format with standard headings — or let the Starvizz AI Resume Builder generate a pre-formatted, ATS-safe layout for you.

Missing or Inconsistent Section Headers

ATS looks for standard headers like "Education," "Experience," "Skills," and "Projects." Creative headers like "My Journey" or "What I Bring" often go unrecognized. Stick to conventional section names — the Starvizz Resume Analyzer flags non-standard headers automatically.

No Keywords from the Job Description

ATS ranks resumes based on keyword match with the job posting. A resume with no mention of relevant skills (e.g., "Python," "SQL," "REST APIs") ranks lower. Starvizz's AI scoring compares your resume against real job descriptions and suggests missing keywords to add naturally.

Using an Image-Based Resume

If your resume is essentially an image — even if it's a PDF — ATS can't extract any text from it. Always export from a text-based document. Resumes built directly in Starvizz are exported in ATS-safe, text-readable PDF format.

Vague Project Descriptions

"Worked on a project" tells ATS and recruiters nothing. Use specific, measurable language: "Built a web app using React and Node.js that processes 500+ user requests/day." The Starvizz Resume Analyzer scores your bullet points for impact and specificity.

Wrong Resume Length

For freshers, 1 page is ideal. Anything longer often gets truncated or skipped by ATS parsing limits. Keep it concise — Starvizz's builder automatically flags length issues based on your experience level.

Unusual File Names or Formats

Files named "Resume_final_v3_NEW.docx" or saved in unsupported formats can confuse ATS uploads. Save as "FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf" — Starvizz exports your resume with a clean, recruiter-ready file name automatically.