You must have sent out dozens of resumes but got not a single callback. It's not just you. Even professionals with over 5 years of solid experience get ghosted. A recent study shows that recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds scanning a resume. That's less time than a WhatsApp voice note.

The problem? It's not your skills; it's how you present them. So, let's walk you through all the reasons why your resume is not getting shortlisted.

Mistake 1: Your Resume Is Not a Marketing Document

You've held strong positions, handled major accounts, and led solid teams, but your resume sounds like a to-do list. That's where it doesn't work or help you get shortlisted on LinkedIn.

"Managed inventory," "Handled client queries," and "Led a team." What will grab the attention of the recruiter? Let's see!

Show numbers: "Cut order errors by 37%" is 5x more clickable than "Managed dispatch."

Use action words: Switched from "Responsible for..." to "Boosted," "Reduced," and "Increased."

Add outcomes: You can use something like: "Delivered ₹30L in cost savings through vendor renegotiations."

Mistake 2: Too Much Experience Has Been Added

You might be wondering that you have been in the corporate for over a decade and still not shortlisted for interviews for other jobs. But the mistake might be in your resume. You might have added a lot of work experience. No one likes reading 15 bullet points under a single role.

Here's how long resumes backfire:

Is your resume too long? Recruiters stop reading after 2 pages, even for senior roles.

Too outdated? That 2009 ERP migration? It won't be relevant today.

How to Add All Past Work Experiences in the Resume?

Trim down. Use a "last 10 years rule" for full detail, then condense the rest. Filter every line. Ask a question to yourself: Does this help me get this job now? If not, cut it. If you create a short yet impactful resume, it will make you look more confident and attract clicks.

Mistake 3: Generic Resume Format That Fails ATS

You might've built your resume on Canva or used a fancy design from a friend. It may look impressive, but most companies with ATS software might never let it reach a recruiter.

Why? ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) aren't built to appreciate good looks. They're built to scan, sort, and filter. And most resumes fail before a human sees them.

Your resume can get rejected before it hits a recruiter's screen. Here's how:

PDFs with columns or tables? ATS often scrambles these or skips them entirely. Stick to simple layouts.

Missing keywords? ATS filters by match. If your resume lacks the right terms from the job post, it's skipped.

Headers and footers? Avoid placing contact info there; some ATS software ignores them completely.

Resumes with matched keywords are 3x more likely to pass initial filters.

Do you also want to get noticed? Strip down the design and add more role-specific terms. This resume customisation will help you get shortlisted for an interview in less time.

Mistake 4: No Alignment with the Job Description

Hiring managers aren't fooled by mass-batch resumes. If you have an ineffective resume structure, it won't be able to pass by the ATS.

Here's how to structure your resume for getting shortlisted:

Headline: Change it to match the role, e.g., use "Senior Product Analyst – Fintech" and not "Experienced Professional."

Top 5 bullets: These get read the most. Add keywords from the JD and use them as it is.

The file name also matters: "Resume_Sanjay_Sales2025" is more relevant than "Resume_Final_V12."

According to Jobvite, 63% of recruiters prefer resumes tailored to the role. Structure it accurately so that the recruiter instantly sees you’re a strong match.

Mistake 5: Missed Niche Clarity

If your resume feels like you are selling yourself hard or doing a lot of marketing, recruiters will reject it. Resumes might make it unclear what you do. Ambiguity costs you interviews, even if you're experienced. A confused resume usually signals one thing to hiring teams: that you are not ready for the job.

Here's what you can do if your resume miss things and is not getting shortlisted on LinkedIn:

Pick one skill: Don't label yourself Project Manager today, Operations Manager tomorrow. Choose the identity that fits the job you want now.

Use headline and summary for a good anchor: These must speak to one domain.

Don't use unrelated skills: Listing Jira, Six Sigma, and social media shows your core value.

Mistake 6: Weak Summary Section

That summary line? It's the basic need to make a good resume, and most of the time, it is wasted with tired phrases like "results-driven" or "self-starter." Recruiters don't want buzzwords. They want proof. A solid summary should grab attention, set the tone, and make them want to read more.

Your summary sets the first impression. Hence, make it count with the following instructions:

Start with your title and specialty: "Senior Business Analyst with 7+ years in FMCG."

Add measurable impact: "Drove ₹1.8 Cr savings through process revamp."

Mention your niche, such as industry, team size, and region, and add specifics recruiters care about.

Keep it under 3 lines. Resumes with strong and metric-led summaries are 48% more likely to land interviews. So, skip words like "hardworking" or "motivated." Instead, drop in numbers, niche, and scale.

Mistake 7: Not Enough Proof To Work Experience

Saying you "handled tasks" or "supported teams" won't help you anymore. That's because recruiters skim for proof and numbers can only hold their attention.

Hiring managers want your experience to show your skills. Hence, you should try these resume tips:

Swap soft verbs for bold ones: Use "led," "reduced," "launched," or "increased" over "helped" or "involved."

Add real numbers: "Cut training time by 30%," "Closed 12 B2B deals in 90 days," etc.

Don't round everything: Odd numbers (₹37L, not ₹40L) appear more believable.

Tip: You must use headcount, time, volume, or percentages in your resume.

Fix This Now (With Minimal Effort)

Ready for a quick fix that'll make a big difference? NxtJob's Resume Builder is designed to make your resume look the best without all the stress. Here's how it works:

Focus on outcomes, not tasks: Use pre-written, role-specific bullet points highlighting your achievements, not just your duties.

Get expert feedback: NxtJob offers 1:1 reviews from professionals who know exactly what recruiters are looking for, so you'll never miss the mark.

Instant keyword matching: The tool scans your resume against real job descriptions to ensure you use the right keywords for ATS.

On average, users see 2.7x more interview invites in just 30 days. It's time to stop guessing what works.

Let NxtJob.ai help you get noticed and take your career to the next level.

Final Thoughts

Why is my resume not getting shortlisted? Now that you know all your mistakes, let's recap what you can fix.

Your resume should show your experience, not just list tasks that you've done in the past. Also, refine your approach and highlight the impact you've created in other companies. Show what you bring to the new company and why you are different among other professionals belonging to the same industry.