The Common Resume Mistakes Recruiters Notice in Six Seconds
You spent hours perfecting your resume. You checked every word twice, maybe even three times. Then you uploaded it to bdjobs or sent it directly to that promising company in Gulshan. Days passed. Weeks passed. Nothing happened.
Here is the frustrating truth about resume mistakes that most Bangladeshi job seekers never realize. Recruiters spend an average of six to seven seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to keep reading or move on. That is not a typo. Six seconds is all you get to make your case. In a competitive job market like Bangladesh where thousands of graduates enter the workforce each year, those common resume mistakes can eliminate you before you ever get a chance to prove yourself. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, youth unemployment remains a significant challenge, making every application even more critical.
I have talked to hiring managers across Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major cities over the years, and they all say the same thing. The mistakes that eliminate candidates are not mysterious or complicated. They are simple errors that anyone can fix once they know what to look for.
Let me walk you through exactly what catches a Bangladeshi recruiter's eye for all the wrong reasons and how you can avoid these pitfalls in your own job search.
The Six Second Reality Check
Before we dive into specific mistakes, let us understand why those six seconds matter so much in the Bangladeshi context. Picture a recruiter sitting in their Motijheel office on a Sunday morning. They have 500 resumes waiting in their inbox for a single entry-level position at a bank or telecommunication company. Their calendar shows back-to-back meetings starting at noon. Their manager wants a shortlist by end of day.
This is the reality of hiring in Bangladesh. When a reputable company like Grameenphone, BRAC, or Square Group posts a job opening, they receive hundreds or even thousands of applications within days. Recruiters are not being lazy or unfair when they scan quickly. They are being efficient because their workload demands it.
During those few seconds, their eyes follow a predictable pattern. They look at your name, current title, current company, start and end dates, previous title, previous company, and education. In Bangladesh, they often also glance at which university you attended. That is it. Everything else becomes background noise unless something grabs their attention.
Knowing this changes how you should approach your resume. Your job is not to include every detail of your career or academic life. Your job is to pass the six second test so you earn the right to a full read.
Spelling and Grammar Errors Kill Your Chances
This might sound obvious, but you would be shocked at how many resumes submitted to Bangladeshi companies contain typos. Many recruiters I have spoken with at multinational corporations operating in Dhaka say that spelling errors remain one of the top reasons for immediate rejection.
I once reviewed a resume from a marketing coordinator who had spelled "communication skills" incorrectly. The irony was not lost on me, and it would not be lost on any recruiter either. In Bangladesh, where English proficiency is often considered a key differentiator for corporate jobs, such errors carry even more weight.
Here is what happens in a recruiter's mind when they spot an error. They think if this person cannot proofread a document that represents their entire professional identity, how careful will they be with client emails, reports for international partners, or important presentations?
Spell check is not enough. Your word processor will happily approve "their" when you meant "there" because technically both words exist. Read your resume out loud. Read it backward paragraph by paragraph. Print it out because errors hide differently on screen than on paper. Have a friend from your university batch read it. Then have a senior colleague read it.
For Bangladeshi job seekers applying to companies that work with international clients, this attention to detail becomes even more crucial. Many IT companies, business process outsourcing firms, and export-oriented businesses specifically look for candidates who can communicate flawlessly in English.
Vague Job Descriptions Confuse Everyone
Many Bangladeshi job seekers make the mistake of writing job descriptions that could apply to almost anyone. Phrases like "responsible for various office tasks" or "helped the team with daily work" tell recruiters absolutely nothing useful.
Consider this example. A customer service representative at a telecommunications company wrote on their resume that they "handled customer calls." Compare that to "resolved an average of 85 customer complaints daily regarding mobile banking and data packages while maintaining a 92% satisfaction rating." The second version paints a clear picture. It shows volume, demonstrates capability, and proves results.
Recruiters at companies like Robi, Banglalink, or local banks are not mind readers. They cannot know that you were the top performer at your branch unless you tell them specifically. They will not assume that "managed projects" means you led a team of eight people on a significant digital transformation initiative.
Be concrete. Use numbers whenever possible. Include percentages, taka amounts where appropriate, team sizes, and timeframes. If you increased sales in your territory, mention by how much. If you processed loan applications, state how many per month. These details transform forgettable descriptions into memorable achievements that stick in a recruiter's mind.
Visit resources like Skill Jobs Career Resources
( https://skill.jobs/career-toolkit) for examples of strong action verbs and quantified achievements that can strengthen your job descriptions for the Bangladeshi market.
Outdated Contact Information Creates Frustration
Imagine a recruiter at a pharmaceutical company in Tongi loves your resume. They want to call you right now to schedule an interview. They dial your number and discover you changed it six months ago. Or they send an email and it bounces back because you forgot to update your address after graduating.
You just lost that opportunity, and you will never even know it happened.
Check your phone number carefully. Many Bangladeshi job seekers change SIM cards or numbers without updating their resume. Check your email address. Check any links you have included. These seem like tiny details until they prevent you from getting the job you wanted.
While you are at it, consider how professional your email address looks. That quirky email you created during your SSC years might need an update. Recruiters do notice when they are sending interview invitations to cricketfan1999 or sweetgirl at whatever dot com. Create a simple professional email that uses some version of your name.
Also consider adding your LinkedIn profile if you have one. Many multinational companies and progressive local firms in Bangladesh now check LinkedIn as part of their screening process. Make sure your profile URL looks clean and professional.
Inconsistent Formatting Looks Unprofessional
Your resume is a visual document as much as it is a written one. When recruiters scan those six seconds, formatting inconsistencies create a sense of disorder that reflects poorly on you as a candidate.
Think about what inconsistent formatting looks like. One job title is bold while another is italic. Dates appear on the left for some positions and on the right for others. You mix Bangla and English fonts randomly. Font sizes shift throughout the document. Spacing between sections varies without any clear pattern.
These issues might seem minor, but they add up to an overall impression of carelessness. If your resume looks messy, recruiters at top firms like Unilever Bangladesh, British American Tobacco, or Standard Chartered assume your work habits are messy too.
Pick one font and stick with it. Choose a consistent structure for every job entry. Make sure your spacing is uniform throughout. Consider using a template as a starting point since many free options are available through Canva's resume builder
(https://www.canva.com/resumes/) or Microsoft Word.
Consistency signals attention to detail, organization skills, and professionalism before you even get a chance to demonstrate those qualities in an interview.
Generic Objective Statements Waste Space
The objective statement at the top of a resume used to be standard practice in Bangladesh. Job seekers would write something like "seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and grow professionally with a reputable organization."
Recruiters have seen this exact sentence thousands of times. It tells them nothing unique about you. It takes up valuable space. Worst of all, it focuses on what you want rather than what you offer.
Modern resumes work better with a professional summary instead. This is a brief paragraph highlighting your most relevant qualifications for the specific job you are applying for. It should answer the question that every Bangladeshi hiring manager has in mind, which is why should I keep reading this resume?
A strong summary might read something like "Marketing professional with five years of experience in FMCG sector including tenure at Marico Bangladesh, consistently exceeding campaign targets by 25% while managing cross-functional teams across three divisions." This immediately tells the recruiter who you are, what industry you know, and what results you deliver.
Every word on your resume should earn its place. Generic objective statements that could apply to any fresh graduate do not earn anything.
One Size Fits All Applications Fail
Sending the same resume to every job opening on bdjobs, chakri.com, or LinkedIn is like wearing the same outfit to a beach party and a corporate board meeting. Technically possible, but never quite right.
Recruiters can spot a generic resume immediately. It does not address the specific requirements in their job posting. It emphasizes skills that might be irrelevant to the role. It fails to use the language and keywords that their applicant tracking system is scanning for.
This is particularly important in Bangladesh where the job market is highly competitive. When a single position at a bank or NGO receives 800 applications, the candidates who take time to customize their materials have a clear advantage.
Yes, customizing your resume for each application takes more time. But quality matters more than quantity in job searching. Five tailored applications will almost always outperform fifty generic ones sent to every opening you find.
Start by reading the job description carefully. Identify the key skills and qualifications they mention. Then adjust your resume to highlight your relevant experience in those areas. Mirror some of their language naturally throughout your document. If they ask for experience with specific software or methodologies used in Bangladesh, make sure those terms appear prominently.
Gaps Without Explanation Raise Questions
Employment gaps happen for all kinds of legitimate reasons in Bangladesh. Family responsibilities, health issues, further education, preparation for BCS or bank job exams, or simply the challenge of finding the right opportunity in a competitive market. These are normal parts of life.
The problem is not having gaps. The problem is leaving gaps unexplained and forcing recruiters to guess what happened. Human nature tends toward negative assumptions when information is missing.
If you took time off to care for aging parents, you could note that briefly. If you spent a year preparing for government job examinations, mention it along with any relevant skills you developed during that time. If you completed a professional certification or attended training programs, include those details.
Many Bangladeshi job seekers face gaps after graduation while searching for their first opportunity. During this time, freelance work on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, volunteer work with local organizations, or internships all count as productive activities worth mentioning. Learning how to highlight transferable skills
(https://careerjournal24.com/transferable-skills-on-a-resume-that-employers-actually-care-about/) on a resume can help you showcase abilities gained during these periods that apply directly to your target role.
The goal is not to provide excessive detail about personal matters. The goal is to show that you were not just sitting idle. Recruiters want to see that you kept learning, growing, or contributing in some way even when you were not formally employed.
Too Long or Too Short Misses the Mark
Resume length debates exist everywhere, and Bangladesh is no exception. Many fresh graduates struggle to fill even one page, while experienced professionals try to cram twenty years of experience into two pages.
The truth is simpler than most people make it. Your resume should be exactly as long as it needs to be to tell your professional story effectively.
For fresh graduates and those with less than five years of experience, one page works well. This is the standard expectation at most Bangladeshi companies for entry-level and junior positions. For senior professionals with extensive accomplishments, two pages are acceptable and often necessary. Anything beyond two pages is almost never appropriate.
The bigger issue is padding. Recruiters immediately recognize when someone has stretched thin content to fill space. They see the expanded margins, the oversized fonts, and the unnecessary details about school achievements from a decade ago. Listing every single course from your BBA program is not helpful.
Equally problematic is cramming too much onto a page with tiny fonts and no white space. If a recruiter needs a magnifying glass to read your resume, they simply will not bother.
Aim for readability above all else. Use comfortable margins. Choose fonts between ten and twelve points. Include enough white space that the page does not feel overwhelming.
Lying or Exaggerating Backfires Eventually
The temptation is understandable. You want the job at that prestigious company in Uttara. You are close to qualified. Maybe stretching one detail about your CGPA or inflating one achievement would push you over the edge.
Do not do it.
Background checks catch lies. Reference calls to previous employers catch exaggerations. Interview questions designed to probe your claims catch inconsistencies. Getting caught in a lie at any stage ends your candidacy immediately and can follow you in your industry for years. Bangladesh has a close-knit professional community, especially in sectors like banking, pharmaceuticals, and IT. Word travels fast.
Beyond getting caught, consider the practical problems. If you claim expertise you do not have and somehow get hired, you will struggle to perform at the level you promised. You will spend every day worried about being exposed. You will eventually fail at tasks you claimed to be able to handle.
Honesty allows you to find a job where you actually fit. That fit leads to success, satisfaction, and long-term career growth. Lies might get you in the door, but they create a foundation of stress and eventual failure.
Missing Keywords Block Your Application
Many larger companies in Bangladesh including banks, telecom operators, and multinational corporations now use applicant tracking systems to filter resumes before human eyes ever see them. These systems scan for specific keywords related to the job requirements. If your resume lacks those keywords, it might be eliminated automatically.
This does not mean stuffing your resume with random industry terms. That looks unnatural and can backfire if a human reviews your application later. Instead, it means being strategic about how you describe your experience.
Look at job postings in your field on bdjobs or company career pages. Notice what terms appear repeatedly. If they ask for "SAP experience" and you have it, make sure those exact words appear clearly. If they want candidates with "supply chain management" knowledge, use that phrase rather than only describing related activities.
For the Bangladeshi IT sector specifically, technical keywords matter enormously. Mentioning specific programming languages, frameworks, and tools that match job requirements can determine whether your application reaches a human reviewer.
Balance is key. Write primarily for human readers while keeping automated systems in mind. The best resumes work well for both audiences.
Ignoring Local Expectations Hurts Your Chances
Every job market has its own norms, and Bangladesh is no different. Understanding local expectations can give you an edge over candidates who rely solely on international resume advice.
Photographs on resumes remain common in Bangladesh, though this practice is slowly changing at multinational companies. If you include a photo, make sure it looks professional. A casual selfie or cropped group photo sends the wrong message.
Educational details carry significant weight in Bangladeshi hiring. Many recruiters look specifically at your SSC and HSC results alongside your university degree. Include these details with institutions, years, and results if they strengthen your application. Mentioning well-regarded institutions like Dhaka University, BUET, IBA, or North South University can catch a recruiter's eye quickly.
References are also handled differently here. Some Bangladeshi employers still expect references listed directly on the resume rather than available upon request. Research the company and industry norm before deciding which approach to take.
How to Fix Your Resume Starting Today
Knowing what is wrong is only half the battle. Taking action is where real change happens. Start by printing your current resume and reading it as if you were a busy HR executive at a Dhaka corporate office with hundreds to review. What jumps out immediately? What questions would you have?
Ask someone in your field to give you honest feedback. Not your mother or father who thinks everything you do is perfect. Find a colleague, a university senior who works in your target industry, or even utilize resume review services offered by platforms like LinkedIn Career Services
(https://www.linkedin.com/learning/) to get objective feedback.
Then tackle one issue at a time. Fix the typos today. Strengthen your job descriptions tomorrow. Update your formatting next week. Steady progress beats paralysis from trying to fix everything at once.
Final Thoughts
Those six seconds are not a curse. They are an opportunity. When you understand what recruiters are looking for and what mistakes trigger instant rejection, you gain an enormous advantage over the thousands of other candidates applying for the same positions across Bangladesh.
Your resume is your professional story condensed into one or two pages. It deserves the time and attention required to get it right. Every word should have purpose. Every detail should be accurate. Every choice should make a recruiter at Unilever, Walton, HSBC, or any organization want to learn more about you.
The competition for good jobs in Bangladesh is fierce. Fresh graduates from universities across the country compete alongside experienced professionals for limited opportunities. The candidates who win are not always the most qualified on paper. They are often the ones who presented their qualifications most effectively. That is something entirely within your control.
Take what you have learned here and apply it to your own resume today. Update your bdjobs profile. Refresh your LinkedIn presence. Prepare applications for your dream companies. That next opportunity could be waiting just six seconds away.
By Muhammad Arif Hossain
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