You’ve been applying. Again and again. You know you’ve got skills; maybe you even freelance, contribute to open source, or just finished a solid bootcamp.
But after some months, there have been no callbacks. And then the doubt creeps in: “Maybe I’m not good enough.” Sometimes, the issue isn’t your experience; it’s how you’re presenting it.
Top companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple (aka FAANG) don’t just look for raw skills. They look for clarity, impact, and intent and your resume is your first audition.
There are several resume mistakes that silently kill your chances at FAANG interviews and in this article we’ll teach you how to fix them.
Your Resume Reads Like a Job Description — Not a Story of Impact
The mistake:
Copy-pasting your responsibilities instead of showing what you actually accomplished.
Bad example:
“Developed APIs in Node.js and maintained backend systems.”
Okay… but what did it do? What changed because of you?
The fix:
Write your bullet points using this simple formula:
Action → Result → Tool/Method
Great example:
“Built and deployed 7+ RESTful APIs using Node.js and MongoDB, improving platform response time by 30% and enabling seamless integration with frontend systems.”
Use numbers. Impact quantified is impact proven. Even if you’re a freelancer, estimate metrics like load times, user growth, reduced errors, etc.
You Lead with Tools Instead of Outcomes
The mistake:
Starting every bullet with “Used React…,” “Worked with AWS…,” “Built in Python…”
These are tools, not results.
The fix:
Flip it. Lead with what you did, then mention the tools that made it happen.
Example:
“Used React to build frontend interfaces”
“Redesigned checkout flow, reducing cart abandonment by 18%, using React and Tailwind”
You’re Using a Single Generic Resume for All Applications
The mistake:
One-size-fits-all resumes — especially for FAANG — usually land in the black hole.
The fix:
Tailor your resume to the role. Every. Single. Time.
How?
- Mirror keywords from the job description
- Emphasise the experiences most relevant to that job
- Highlight projects that match their tech stack or business goals
Tool: Use Jobscan or Resume Worded to compare your resume to the job posting.
Create a “core resume” with 100% of your wins. Then make quick edits per job.
No Quantified Achievements = No Credibility
The mistake:
You list what you did, but not how well you did it.
The fix:
Include numbers in at least 60–70% of your resume bullets.
- Did it save time?
- Improve speed?
- Reduce errors?
- Boost signups, usage, or revenue?
Even estimates work. Don’t have hard data? Approximate:
“Improved API response time by ~40% based on user testing.”
“Handled 50+ support tickets/month with a 90% satisfaction rate.”
If you’re freelancing → include client feedback, retention rates, and timeline success.
You’re Not Talking Like a Problem Solver
The mistake:
You focus only on tasks, not the problems you solved or why they mattered.
The fix:
Frame your experience through the lens of:
- What problem did you tackle?
- What was the challenge?
- How did your work change things?
Example:
“Reduced mobile app crashes by 70% by identifying memory leak in React Native component used across 3 key features.”
FAANG loves initiators and debuggers. Highlight when you identified issues or led improvements.
Your Resume Has Fluff Phrases and Filler Words
The mistake:
Using space-wasters like:
- “Hardworking individual who…”
- “Team player with excellent communication skills…”
- “Self-starter and quick learner…”
FAANG recruiters read 500+ resumes a week. They don’t need character bios — they need evidence.
The fix:
Replace fluff with facts:
“Team player who collaborates well.”
“Led cross-functional sprint planning with designers, PMs, and QA across 4 releases.”
Let your actions show your soft skills. Don’t state them outright.
You’re Overlooking Your Freelance / Contract Work
The mistake:
Treating freelance projects like side notes or lumping them under “Other Experience”.
The fix:
Feature your freelance roles like you would full-time ones.
Include:
- Scope of the project
- Tech stack used
- Business outcome
- Client testimonial (if available)
Example:
Frontend Developer (Freelance)
Built a responsive dashboard for a US-based healthcare startup, reducing admin time by 25%. Used Vue.js, Firebase, and Chart.js.
Freelance work shows initiative, time management, and product focus, highlight that proudly!
The Formatting is… Not Helping You
The mistake:
- Dense paragraphs
- Inconsistent spacing
- Weird fonts
- Confusing sections
If it looks hard to skim, it’s probably being skipped.
The fix:
✅ One full page for most candidates (two max if you’re experienced)
✅ Clear section headers: Experience, Skills, Projects, Education
✅ Use bullet points (not paragraphs)
✅ Stick to clean, readable fonts. Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Roboto
✅ Save as PDF unless told otherwise
Use Standard Resume, Resume.io, or a clean Google Docs template.
You’re Hiding Your Best Work in a Project Graveyard
The mistake:
Listing projects with vague descriptions like:
“Built a chatbot in Python.”
“Created a todo app using React.”
The fix:
Turn it into a story of value:
- What did it solve?
- Who was it for?
- How did it grow your skills?
Better example:
“Created a WhatsApp-based chatbot to automate customer queries for a local business, reducing manual support by 80%.”
Link to GitHub, live demo, or case study where possible. Show, don’t just tell.
You Think the Resume Is Just a Box to Check
The mistake:
Thinking your resume is just something you toss in with an application.
The fix:
Your resume is your first pitch, your elevator story, your ad copy.
It should:
- Make someone want to talk to you
- Get you in the room
- Show you’re ready for their problems
Revisit your resume every 2–3 months. Keep it fresh, relevant, and focused on where you want to go, not just where you’ve been.
Your Next Step?
Getting into Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft or even startups is not about being perfect — it’s about showing that you:
- Solve problems
- Deliver results
- Communicate clearly
- Care about impact
Your resume should be proof of all four.
If you follow even half of these fixes, you’ll already be ahead of 80% of applicants.
Now what?
- Block 2 hours this week to fix your resume.
- Use a tool like Jobscan or Anutio to tailor it and find the existing gaps in it.
- Share your updated resume with 2 peers for feedback.
- Apply smarter—not just harder.
