5 Resume Red Flags
Your resume unlocks the potential of your personal brand. I’ve seen my fair share of resumes - the good, the bad, and the ones with red flags. Here are the five most frequent red flags that job hunters should avoid in their resumes:
Grammatical Errors and Typos
We are human, and humans make mistakes. I know I’ve delivered a resume with typos, even after running through Grammarly and other tools to ensure perfect grammar and spelling. You’ll see a mixed bag of advice about this seemingly basic requirement. Everything from “one or two mistakes are okay, to there should never be mistakes, or my favorite, it shouldn’t matter if you have errors. The only person’s opinion that matters on this subject is the person receiving your resume. In most cases, employers expect your resume to be impeccably written. After all, your resume represents you before you walk through the door for an interview. Even minor errors can derail your chances of landing a job, indicating a lack of attention to detail. One tip I like to use is to read the resume backward. You’ll be surprised at the mistakes you find.
Inconsistencies
Inconsistencies in your employment history or the formatting of your resume raise eyebrows. Any sign of inconsistency leads hiring managers to question your work ethic and organizational skills. Ensure your employment dates align correctly, and maintain a uniform style throughout your resume. Make sure you format the resume consistently throughout. Whatever size font you use for your job titles should be consistent. How you list each role should be consistent. Double-check that your LinkedIn profile gives the same story.
Generic Phrasing
Too many resumes read like job descriptions. While it is advisable to use job descriptions to help build your resume, you want to include your own language when describing what you do, especially regarding achievements. This is why using AI to write your resume is a bad idea. It generates the same generic jargon and reads like a cover letter you copied from Google. Feel free to use AI to get inspiration, but at no point should what ChatGPT produces be the final product.
Lengthy Employment Gaps
While gaps in employment are not uncommon, it's important to explain any lengthy periods during which you were not working. Whether you took time off for personal reasons, to attend school, or could not find work, clarifying these gaps can alleviate any potential concerns about your employment history. This is another highly debated topic; the only opinion that matters is that of the person reading your resume and making the hiring decision. I find it helpful to add a work experience titled “Career Break” and then briefly describe what you were doing during that time.
Lack of Accomplishments
Finally, one of the significant red flags for employers is a lack of accomplishments in resumes. Employers want details about what you achieved in your previous roles, backed up by concrete numbers and examples. Ensure your resume quantifies your successes and demonstrates your impact in past positions.
Remember, your resume is a reflection of your personal brand and your professional story. At area|Talent, we are committed to helping you create a polished, effective resume that stands out in the job market. Please check out our services and consider scheduling a zero-pressure consultation with us. We’re here to guide you every step of your career journey.
