What Do Hiring Managers Really Want? 14 Résumé And Cover Letter Tips

Forbes

10-07-2025

When sorting through dozens—or hundreds—of résumés and cover letters, certain patterns start to wear thin fast. Whether it's vague bullet points, inconsistent formatting or overused buzzwords, small details can undermine otherwise qualified candidates.
Expectations vary widely depending on the role, industry and even company, but understanding what hiring pros actually value can help you stand out. Below, 14 Human Resources Council members each share their biggest résumé pet peeves, their stance on cover letters and what you can do to make your application rise to the top.
1. Be Specific And Skip The Fluff
My biggest pet peeve is when résumés are full of generic or overly polished language but don't say anything concrete. Especially for technical roles, we want to see real projects, tools used and the kinds of problems someone solved. As for cover letters, they're helpful if they're personal and specific, not super formal ChatGPT-generated fluff. - Stanislava Tarasiuk, Exa
2. Show Effort Through Accuracy And Role-Relevant Customization
I'm still surprised by the misspellings within résumés. If a candidate is trying to make an excellent first impression, this is a huge strike against them. I appreciate a résumé that is tailored to the position being applied for. What experience does the candidate have that makes them best suited for this role? This shows great effort and not merely a standard list of education, jobs and so on. - Beth Latchana, Lockton Companies
3. Cut Through Buzzwords; Prioritize Achievement-Driven Content
When I interview, my biggest pet peeve is seeing buzzwords with no real substance. I want to see achievements, not just duties. Tailored, clean and relevant résumés stand out. As for cover letters, they only matter if they add value like context for a career switch or why they would be a great fit; preferably, it should be personal, specific and concise. Quality over fluff, always. - Sheena Minhas, ST Microelectronics
4. Avoid Vagueness By Highlighting Results And Your Personal Story
My top pet peeve in terms of résumés is vague résumés that lack tangible impact or results-oriented language, thereby showing only duties rather than results. Cover letters may still provide value if they connect the candidate's story with that role; however, generic ones should not be necessary. - Sherri Reese, Michigan State University
5. Fix Formatting To Keep Attention On Your Experience
Issues like cramped spacing, small fonts and no context on the company or role can make a résumé hard to follow. Formatting must be clean, readable and spacious. Candidates should spend time distilling their experiences. A cover letter goes even further: why this company and this role are right for them. A strong cover letter can help a candidate stand out, even if they don't meet every requirement. - Soni Basi, Pop HR
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6. Include Location Details To Support Practical Hiring Needs
Some candidates are not sharing their specific location on LinkedIn or résumés, which is a pet peeve. Business owners and hiring managers need to understand the state where the person is located to file specific payroll tax details, and there is also a company culture piece to consider, even if the company is hybrid or remote. - Jennifer Morehead, Flex HR
7. Use Cover Letters To Demonstrate Thinking, Not Just Writing
The cover letter is more important than ever. In a world where AI can polish grammar and formatting, I use the cover letter to assess what can't be automated: critical thinking, systems thinking and clarity of purpose. A great cover letter shows me how a candidate connects their experience to the needs of our company. It paints a picture of impact. - Ximena Gates, BuildWithin
8. Inject Authenticity Into AI-Shaped Résumés
Résumés have increasingly become homogeneous due to AI tools. While the content may be well-structured and detailed, many résumés sound the same: polished but lacking personality. They often feel templated, with little sense of the individual behind the words. I appreciate résumés that feel authentic, where someone has taken the time to tell their unique story, not just say what I want to hear. - Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, myWorkforceAgents.AI
9. Rethink The Cover Letter's Role In A Template-Driven Era
My biggest pet peeve is the cover letter itself. In the age of AI and templates, it rarely reflects genuine motivation or communication skills. It often feels like a forced exercise in flattery that adds little value and may even discourage candidates from applying. We should rethink its role in a fair, modern and predictive hiring process. - Shiran Danoch, Informed Decisions
10. Move Beyond The Past By Showing Future-Focused Value
Traditional résumés and cover letters are outdated. My biggest pet peeve is when candidates only list past roles without showing relevance for the future. Today's applicants should use modern tools—video, voice and digital portfolios—to demonstrate how they'll add value tomorrow, not just what they did yesterday. Show potential, not just history. - Prithvi Singh Shergill, Tomorrow @entomo
11. Tell A Cohesive Story Instead Of Listing Disconnected Wins
My top pet peeve: a tsunami of honorable but small accomplishments, crowded into a single page in six-point type, that don't coalesce into an arc—a story of you. I don't need to know every task you ever tackled, but I do care where you think you're headed and how my company figures in. A cover letter is a huge add when it proves you're familiar with us—a strike when it's cut-and-paste generic. - John Kannapell, CYPHER Learning
12. Emphasize Outcomes To Signal Strategic Fit And Readiness
Résumés that list activity without impact are a red flag. I don't need tasks—I need outcomes. A well-written cover letter, tailored to the role, signals strategic fit, clarity of thought and readiness. In a data-saturated market, it's still one of the best ways to see how a candidate thinks—and whether they understand value. - Apryl Evans, USA for UNHCR
13. Explore Hiring Models That Go Beyond Résumés And Letters
It's entirely possible to hire without résumés or cover letters, and there are companies that have successfully implemented this strategy. Rather than relying on these traditional methods, recruiters should assess candidates based on their inherent skills and abilities at the screening stage and move from there. - Caitlin MacGregor, Plum
14. Proof Carefully To Show Professionalism And Attention To Detail
What gets my negative attention are résumés with careless errors—typos, missing words and inconsistent formatting. These errors matter because they signal how candidates approach their work and whether they value making a strong first impression. Cover letters absolutely add value when they're crafted for a specific role and company, explaining your interest and qualifications rather than generic enthusiasm. - Lynne Marie Finn, Broadleaf Results