Because of this, they have gotten good at the method and know precisely what to look for.
On the one hand, they want specific keywords and a style that is easy to read. On the other hand, they look for resume red flags and other big warning signs.
Even though these mistakes are bad at any point in your job, getting your resume wrong when you have more experience can be even worse.
So, to ensure you only send in the best application, we’ve found the five most common resume red flags employers look for.
Here’s how to deal with these resume red flags to make it more likely that you’ll get an interview.
1. Unprofessional email address
The first resume red flags are at the top of the page, where the interviewer can’t miss it: unprofessional email address.
You should have a simple and professional email address at this point in your work. If, for some reason, you don’t, it only takes a few minutes to set one up.
If you’re a freelancer or contractor, stick with your name, letters, or company name.
Make sure you don’t have a silly, rude, or confusing email address that you’ve had since you first signed up for MSN in the 2000s. These look sloppy, especially if you’ve been in the business for years and have plenty of chances to set up a new account.
2. A broad application
The recruiter will know if you took the time to customize your application as soon as they look at your profile and key skills section.
So, you should never send the same application to multiple jobs. This totally gives off a major resume red flags and it makes you look lazy and uninterested, making it much harder to get an interview.
Instead, you must show the employer that you want the job and are interested in the company. This also gives you a chance to show how your experience matches up with the most important requirements listed in the job description.
You can also use the same skills, keywords, and language the company uses. This makes it much easier for the interviewer to skim through and decide if you’re a good fit for the job.
3. Unexplained employment gaps
There are many reasons why you might not have worked for a while. You might have been sick or taking care of a sick family member. You might also have been on maternal leave or chosen to take a break from work or travel.
No matter your reason, you shouldn’t ignore gaps because they look like a major resume red flags. Instead, it’s best to be honest about where you were and what you were doing.
You should explain the gap in either your job history or your profile clearly and concisely.
If you learned some important new skills or did something useful during your time off, you could talk more about what you learned and how it has helped you do your job better.
4. Not showing off your achievements.
You can include a personal profile and a section on your key skills, employment experience, and best qualifications, but this won’t impress anyone if you don’t list any of your accomplishments.
Too many pros make this mistake, which is a shame. It’s not enough to write down a list of duties. You should also give examples of your most important accomplishments on the job.
If you can measure or prove these accomplishments, that’s even better.
So, when the employer scans your resume, they will be more likely to notice the numbers, whether they are numbers, percentages, or currency. So don’t forget this important part of your application.
Even better is if you can make your accomplishments match the skills listed in the job description.
5. Spelling errors
Last, we would be careless if we didn’t discuss writing mistakes. Even though this may seem clear, you’d be surprised by how many professionals still get it wrong, and recruiters can spot spelling and grammar mistakes from a mile away.
With this in mind, you should check your application several times for mistakes before sending it in.
We also suggest you have a friend or family member look it over for you, maybe more than once. You can also use free online spell checks to be even more sure.
Don’t ignore these red flags.
No matter how many jobs you’ve had or what you do now, these red flags can cost even the most qualified candidates the job. So, remember these when you write your next application to improve your chances of getting an interview.
