What Are Red Flags on a Resume?

There’s no such thing as a perfect resume, but there are some things that raise red flags during the hiring process. These can make a candidate less likely to land the job and more difficult to impress an interviewer.

One of the biggest red flags is a resume full of errors. Whether it’s misspellings or formatting issues, they indicate poor attention to detail and can reflect poorly on an applicant.

Lack of Qualifications

A resume that lacks qualifications can be a red flag. However, there are a few ways to overcome the issue.

First, make sure you are demonstrating that you have the necessary skills for the job. This includes specific technical skills and experience that show you can perform the duties of the position.

Second, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are willing and able to learn new skills quickly. This can be done by mentioning relevant coursework or volunteer work.

You also need to be able to demonstrate that you have the right personality traits for the job. These can include leadership and flexibility.

Unusual Employment History

An unusual employment history is when you have worked at different jobs or have spent many years with no job at all. If the positions have been relevant to the job you are applying for and they have been recent, then you can list them as part of your work history.

If you have had short-term jobs that are not relevant to the job you are seeking, consider a separate section for these on your resume. This could be called ‘Short-Term Position Highlights’ or ‘Volunteer Work Highlights’.

This type of work experience is a good way to demonstrate that you were working and using your skills during periods of time when you had no job at all. However, it’s important not to over-detail this work.

Gaps in Employment History

Gaps in employment history are a red flag for many employers. They raise questions about why you left jobs, how long you were out and why you quit so suddenly.

There are many legitimate reasons for a gap in employment, like relocating, caring for a child or taking time off to go back to school. The most important thing is to be honest about your situation and explain why you took time off.

Gaps in your resume aren’t a big deal, but they can be confusing for potential employers. Here are some tips to help you explain a gap in your career history on your resume and position yourself as a competitive candidate.

Unusual Language on the Resume

The language on your resume can be a red flag if it doesn’t sound natural or grammatically correct. Even a skilled writer can struggle to find the right tone when writing for a recruiter’s eyes.

If you’ve ever read a job ad, you know that employers use words and phrases that are designed to highlight the skills they’re seeking. If you weave these same terms into your resume, you’re more likely to be picked up by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and passed through the first stage of screening.

You can do this by describing your experiences in terms of measurable outcomes instead of just “responsible for” or “led.” Employers want someone who is confident and determined, not just the type of person they’d be handholding through a difficult situation.

Poor Formatting

Poor formatting can make your resume more difficult for recruiters to read, causing them to lose interest in you. To avoid this, use a clean font and keep your formatting consistent throughout your resume.

It’s also important to keep your resume’s font size within the range of 10 to 12 points. This ensures that employers can easily squint through it without having to struggle to see your qualifications and experience.

Another common resume mistake is to write paragraphs instead of using bullet points. This makes your content harder to read, and it can confuse hiring managers if they’re not sure what you mean.