Red Flags On Your Resume That Hiring Managers See

Hiring managers spend only seconds skimming your resume before making a quick decision about whether or not to reject or consider you as a potential candidate. That is why it is essential that your resume is free from the “red flags” that will turn them off during that short initial scan. Below are five red flags that will often put you straight into the “no” pile without further consideration, along with some tips for mitigating the damage they might cause to your status as an applicant.

1. A history of job-hopping

If your resume does not show staying power, employers might believe you are a risky hire. Companies pay for hiring, training, and onboarding processes each time they bring on a new staff member, so they try to pick applicants who are likely to stick around. If you job-hopped because of internships, moving up in various organizations, or other notable reasons, allude to that in your cover letter.

2. Grammatical or spelling mistakes

Mistakes on your resume show a lack of attention to detail and make you look less professional. Run spell check, proof your work, and have someone else with good grammar and spelling skills read it too.

3. Lack of evidence of achievement

Potential employers want to know what you can do for their company, so they look for proof of your accomplishments. Use metrics, data, and anecdotes to illustrate what you have accomplished; it is not enough to say that you increased conversion rates. Instead, give specific, impressive (and accurate) statistics about what you accomplished for your previous employers.

4. Large gaps between jobs

Significant time gaps between jobs give a similar impression as job-hopping. On the surface, it makes you seem less desirable as a candidate, and employers might wonder how much you want a career if you went so long without one. Fill in the gaps on your resume by ensuring other relevant activities, such as schooling or volunteer work, are recorded.

5. No overarching theme to your career choices

Hiring managers often look for new staff that has a clear career plan and objectives in mind, so if your resume seems to wander, employers might balk. Organize and word your resume in a way that reflects what you want out of your next job, and use objective statements and cover letters to underscore those themes.

Your resume is your key into application pools and interviews. By creating the strongest resume possible, you can open doors for future employment and avoid the “no” pile.

Marquee Staffing recruiters specialize placing talent in some of the most desirable areas in Southern California, including Irvine, San Diego, Orange County, Oceanside, and Carlsbad. We also provide the benefit of our knowledge and experience to help you improve employee retention, productivity and much more. Contact us today to learn more about our technical staffing services and beyond.

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