Don’t Let These 3 Resume Mistakes Ruin Your Career: Insider Advice from a Former Google Hiring Pro

The Resume Revolution—Why Your CV Needs a Makeover

By: Javid Amin
In today’s hyper-competitive job market, your resume isn’t just a document—it’s your first impression, your personal billboard, and your golden ticket to landing an interview. But here’s the harsh truth: most resumes end up in the “no” pile within seconds. Why? Because recruiters like Jenny Wood, a former Google executive with 18 years of hiring expertise, are scanning for red flags that scream “not the right fit.”

Jenny’s insights, shared with CNBC Make It, reveal that even talented professionals sabotage their chances with easily avoidable mistakes. From cluttered layouts to information overload, these errors don’t just annoy recruiters—they cost you opportunities. In this deep dive, we’ll unpack Jenny’s three resume red flags, provide actionable fixes, and share insider strategies to transform your resume into a career magnet.

Meet the Expert: Jenny Wood’s Journey from Google Recruiter to Career Guru

Before we dissect the red flags, let’s understand the source. Jenny Wood spent nearly two decades at Google, where she reviewed thousands of resumes, hired top-tier talent, and shaped teams across continents. Now a Colorado-based career coach and author, she’s on a mission to help job seekers cut through the noise. Her philosophy? “Your resume isn’t a biography—it’s a marketing tool.”

Jenny’s advice isn’t just theoretical. It’s battle-tested in the trenches of Silicon Valley, where clarity, brevity, and strategic storytelling reign supreme. Let’s dive into her top three resume deal-breakers—and how to avoid them.

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Red Flag #1: The Bullet Point Blunder—Why Less Is More

The Problem: Overloading Recruiters with Information

Jenny’s first red flag is a classic trap: too many bullet points. She warns, “If you have 10 bullets under a role, it tells me you can’t prioritize or communicate clearly.” Here’s why this backfires:

• Cognitive Overload: Recruiters spend 6-7 seconds per resume. Walls of text overwhelm them.
• Lack of Focus: It suggests you don’t understand your key contributions.
• Poor Time Management: If you can’t summarize your role, how will you handle client meetings?

The Fix: The 5-Bullet Rule

Jenny’s golden rule? Never exceed five bullets per role. Here’s how to nail it:

1. Prioritize Impact Over Tasks: Focus on results, not duties.
   • ❌ “Managed social media accounts.”
   • ✅ “Grew Instagram followers by 200% in 6 months via viral campaigns.”
2. Use the CAR Framework: Challenge, Action, Result.
   • “Streamlined onboarding process (Action), reducing new hire ramp-up time by 30% (Result).”
3. Quantify Everything: Numbers = credibility.

Pro Tip: Place your strongest bullet first—recruiters rarely read past #3.

Red Flag #2: The White Space Crisis—Design Matters More Than You Think

The Problem: Cramming = Confusion

Jenny’s second red flag is a visual nightmare: too little white space. She explains, “Spacing creates hierarchy. Crammed resumes signal poor judgment.” Here’s why design kills chances:

• ATS Compatibility: Applicant Tracking Systems (bots that screen resumes) hate cluttered formats.
• Readability: Dense text is exhausting. Recruiters might skip your resume entirely.
• Professionalism: Sloppy layouts imply you lack attention to detail.

The Fix: Mastering Resume Feng Shui

Transform your resume into a breathable, scannable document:

1. Margins Matter: Use 1-inch margins for a clean frame.
2. Font Wisdom: Stick to 11-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for headers. Avoid cursive fonts.
3. Section Spacing: Add a blank line between roles.
4. Bullet Length: Keep bullets to 1-2 lines.

Before & After Example:

• Cluttered Version:
  “Led cross-functional teams to develop a new product line by collaborating with engineering, marketing, and sales departments, resulting in a 15% revenue increase.”
• White-Space Friendly:
  “Spearheaded product launch across 3 departments ↗️
  • Drove 15% revenue growth in Q1 2023.”

Pro Tip: Use bold or italics sparingly to highlight job titles or metrics.

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Red Flag #3: The Hyperlink Overkill—When Links Hurt More Than Help

The Problem: Distracting the Reader

Jenny’s third red flag? Too many links. While showcasing work samples is smart, overdoing it screams desperation. She notes, “A link in every bullet? It’s chaotic and shows poor discernment.” Risks include:

• Broken Links: Tech glitches ruin your credibility.
• Security Concerns: Recruiters avoid suspicious URLs.
• Focus Loss: Links divert attention from your core message.

The Fix: Strategic Linking

Follow these rules to balance proof and professionalism:

1. One Central Hub: Include a LinkedIn URL or portfolio link in the header.
2. Relevance Over Quantity: Add 1-2 links max per role (e.g., a published article or project).
3. Shorten URLs: Use Bit.ly or LinkedIn’s anchor text feature.

Pro Tip: For digital resumes, hyperlink underlined text instead of pasting full URLs.

Beyond Red Flags: Jenny Wood’s Resume Best Practices

1. Inject Personality (Without Oversharing)

Jenny loves resumes that “hint at a human behind the paper.” Try:

• A Professional Summary with flair:
  “Data-driven marketer with a knack for turning caffeine into click-through rates.”
• Interests Section: “Avid rock climber and podcast host for ‘Tech & Tacos.’”

2. Tailor, Tailor, Tailor

Customize your resume for every job. Use keywords from the job description to beat ATS bots.

3. Proofread Like Your Career Depends On It

One typo = instant rejection. Use Grammarly and read your resume backwards to catch errors.

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The Resume Rescue Toolkit

1. Free ATS Checkers: Jobscan, ResumeWorded.
2. Design Tools: Canva, Enhancv.
3. Portfolio Platforms: LinkedIn Articles, Journo Portfolio.

FAQs: Your Resume Questions, Answered

Q: Should I include a photo?
A: In the U.S., avoid it—it introduces bias. In the EU or creative fields, it’s acceptable.

Q: Is a two-page resume okay?
A: Only if you have 10+ years of experience. Otherwise, stick to one page.

Q: How do I explain employment gaps?
A: Be honest but brief. “2022-2023: Career break to care for family & upskill in UX Design.”

Bottom-Line: Your Resume, Your Future

Jenny Wood’s red flags aren’t just about avoiding mistakes—they’re about embracing clarity, strategy, and authenticity. In a world where 75% of resumes never reach human eyes, yours needs to be a standout story, not a snooze fest. So, trim those bullets, embrace white space, and link wisely. Your dream job is waiting.