It's a competitive market right now. Unemployment rates are through the roof and available jobs are attracting top talent. Even landing an interview can be a challenge.
It’s especially true if your resume has one of these 10 red flags that all employers watch for. You can't change the facts. If you have one (or more) of these flags on your resume, either fix it or explain it in the cover letter. It might be the difference between landing the interview and ending up in the trash bin.
Here are 10 common red flags on resumes.
1. Typos and mistakes
Mistakes on your resume show you don't pay attention to detail. Think about it from the employer’s viewpoint. Your resume should showcase your best work. If it's full of mistakes, you're sending the wrong message. Hint…have at least two people proofread your resume.
2. Unprofessional email address
Your resume is your professional calling card. Get yourself a separate Gmail account for your job search and keep your account name professional. Use your last name and first initial or first and last name. Sexkitten101 (at) hotmail.com will not land you an interview. (at least in most places).
3. Employment gaps
Many people have gaps, but employers see this as a red flag. If you had reasons that pulled you out of the workforce in the past, what's stopping you from doing it again? It can raise the question of how serious you are about your career. Explaining the gap in a cover letter might help. But not all employers read cover letters. So if you do land the interview, be ready with an honest and clear reason for the gap. Read more here (LINK)
4. Vague job descriptions
A resume should explain your job responsibilities in a clear way. It should outline specific duties and quantifiable results. If the resume is too vague and lacking clarity and detail, an employer may think it's fluff. You listed it but you never did it.
5. Lack of career progression
Most employers want to hire people who will grow with the company. Your resume should illustrate you've grown in your career. If you've been stagnant for too long, it begs the question of why.
6. Inconsistent dates
Dates shouldn't overlap, unless you were working two jobs at the same time. If that's the case, explain that in the resume. If not, make sure the dates make sense.
7. A career path that doesn't fit
If it looks like you jump from one industry to another, there should be a good reason for it. If you can't show why, it can look like you're indecisive and haven't landed on your final career.
8. Too much personal information
Don't put non-relevant personal information on your resume. It can (and should) cause red flags for employers.
9. Inconsistency between your resume and social media
Rest assured that employers will check out your LinkedIn profile. The jobs on the resume should show up in your profile. If not, employers will wonder why. Make sure the two match.
10. Your age
Unfortunately, age is sometimes a red flag. It shouldn't be but, to be safe, don't make it an issue. Don't go back more than 15 years unless it is relevant to the position.
Avoiding, fixing or preparing for these red flags can help you land the interview.
And once you land that coveted interview, you'll want to know how to answer the sticky topics that will show up. Things like, what to say if you've been fired. Or, how to handle the salary question, or the gaps that do exist.
You can learn exactly how to handle each of these by reading my latest blog How to Handle 3 Tricky Interview Questions where I go into detail on each. You'll also be able to grab a free JOB SEARCH ACTION PLAN - everything you need to head into your next interview completely prepared. Just click here.
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Cynthia Corsetti is an Executive Coach and Career Transition Expert. She's been helping high level professionals navigate their career for over 12 years. Follow Cynthia on LinkedIn and IG for the most up-to-date content. You can also reach her at cynthia@cynthiacorsetti.com
