- Hustle Momentum
- Posts
- 20 Major Resume Red Flags That Can Hurt Your Job Search
20 Major Resume Red Flags That Can Hurt Your Job Search
Bill Achola
May 28, 2024
You spot a promising job on LinkedIn and think,
"That's my dream job."
You promptly write a resume, submit your application, and then wait, hoping for positive feedback.
As time passes without a response, you start blaming the company for the lack of communication.
However, the reason you haven't received any feedback might be due to issues with your resume.
Recruiters often disregard resumes with red flags and don't bother responding.
To help you avoid frustration and disappointment, I'm here to share the most critical resume red flags you need to avoid to keep your resume out of the trash bin.
Ready? Let's dive in.
Here are some resume red flags you need to avoid at all costs:
1. Writing 3 Pages Resume: If your resume is over three pages, trim it down to one or two pages. Focus solely on your skills and qualifications relevant to the job you're applying for. Additional details can be shared during the interview.
2. Listing Day-To-Day Duties: Don’t list your day-to-day activities. Highlight your results and achievements instead.
3. Colorful Fonts Charts And Graphs: Avoid colorful fonts, charts, and graphs. These can make your resume look cluttered. Stick to a clean and professional design.
4. Listing Years Of Employment Only: Don’t just list years of employment. Include the months to provide a clearer timeline of your work history.
5. Not Including Relevant Accomplishments: Include relevant accomplishments to catch recruiters' attention.
6. Job Summary Has 6 - 10 Sentences: Keep your job summary between 2-4 sentences. Long summaries (6-10 sentences) can be a turn-off for recruiters.
7. Writing General, Task-Oriented Phrases: Avoid general, task-oriented phrases. Specify what you’ve achieved in your roles.
8. Overdoing Keywords In A Sentence: Don’t overstuff sentences with keywords. This can seem unprofessional and may indicate the use of AI.
9. Sentences That Are More Than 30 Words: Keep sentences under 30 words to ensure your resume is easy to read and understand.
10. Writing Resung Using AI: Use AI tools for guidance, but don't rely on them to write your resume. A personalized touch is crucial.
11. Frequent Job Hopping: Changing jobs frequently can be a red flag for employers. Stability is often preferred.
12. Poor Resume Formatting: Ensure your resume is well-formatted. Poor formatting can lead to your resume being ignored.
13. Putting A Photo On Your Resume: Avoid including your photo. This practice is outdated and unnecessary.
14. Putting A Rose Thicker On It: Steer clear of adding decorative items like rose stickers. Keep it professional.
15. Using Elle Woods Scented Colored Paper: Don’t use scented or colored paper. It’s unprofessional and distracting.
16. Grammar Mistakes And Typos In The Resume: Proofread your resume to eliminate grammar mistakes and typos. Even small errors can leave a negative impression.
17. Lack Of Relevant Job Experience: Lack of relevant job experience can be a drawback. Ensure you highlight any experience that aligns with the job you're applying for.
18. Unexplained Employment Gaps: Address any employment gaps to prevent raising concerns.
19. Inconsistent Career Path: An inconsistent career path can be a red flag. Ensure your resume reflects a coherent professional journey.
20. Failure To Follow Directions: Adhere to the application instructions provided by the recruiter. Failure to do so can harm your chances.
Below are two sample resumes tailored for the tech industry that can assist you in creating an effective resume:
The second is:
Over To You
These are the top 20 red flags to avoid in your resume.
By steering clear of these pitfalls, you can significantly improve your chances of catching a recruiter’s eye.
Most recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes, so following these best practices is essential.
Crafting a resume doesn’t have to be difficult.
Stick to these guidelines, and the rest will fall into place.
If you have any feedback, questions, or thoughts, feel free to share them in the comment box below for further discussion.
Reply