A resume can make or break your chances of landing an interview. Unfortunately, even small mistakes can quickly send your application to the rejection pile. Here are five common errors candidates make – and how to avoid them.

1. Spelling, Grammar, and Formatting Errors

Spelling, grammar, and formatting mistakes are the fastest way to get your resume tossed. I once saw a resume that said, “I am very detail oriental.” That line says two things: the person is not detail-oriented, and they might not know how to spell “oriented.”

Be careful with spell check—it won’t catch correctly spelled but wrong words like “oriental.” Also, review your formatting. Did the font change halfway through the page? Are your bullet points aligned? Small details like these show whether you took time to polish your resume.

Before sending it out, ask several people to review your spelling, grammar, and layout. A clean, consistent resume tells hiring managers—especially property managers—that you care about quality.

2. Listing Job Duties Instead of Accomplishments

Many candidates focus too much on job duties instead of results. Hiring managers already know what a leasing consultant or maintenance technician does—they want to see what made you successful.

For example, instead of saying, “Showed apartments and completed leasing paperwork,” try, “Increased property occupancy from 75% to 96% in one year as part of a focused leasing team.” Accomplishments prove your impact and make your resume stand out.

3. Using Passive Language

Every bullet on your resume should begin with an active verb. Passive wording makes your experience sound vague and unimpressive.

Compare these two examples:

• Passive: “Social media plan for resident retention.”

• Active: “Researched and implemented a social media strategy that increased resident engagement and improved retention.”

The second example clearly shows what you did and what results you achieved. Strong verbs make you sound confident and capable.

4. Including Personal Information

Avoid adding personal details like marital status, number of children, or hobbies unrelated to the job. While it might seem friendly, that information doesn’t demonstrate your professional skills or achievements.

Once you’re hired, it’s fine to share personal stories with coworkers—but your resume should focus only on what qualifies you for the position.

5. Keeping Irrelevant Coursework

If you already have work experience in the field, leave off “relevant coursework.” At that point, it’s no longer relevant—it’s just taking up valuable space.

Use that space to highlight your achievements, certifications, or measurable results from your past roles. A resume should show what you’ve accomplished, not just what you studied.

Your resume is often your first impression—make it count. Focus on accuracy, results, and clarity. The effort you put into your resume shows the level of professionalism you’ll bring to the job.