A resume red flag is anything on your resume that makes a hiring manager question whether you’re the right fit for the job. These red flags, like employment gaps or sloppy formatting, can minimize your chance of landing a job.
Experienced employers and hiring managers can spot these issues quickly, so it’s important to know how to eliminate red flags in your resume. The key lies in a well-structured resume, but that is not always easy to have.
Therefore, this guide will show you what resume errors to avoid and, more importantly, how to fix resume red flags, thus improving your chances of getting the job. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- Resume red flags are signs or indications that could raise concerns for recruiters or hiring managers, suggesting issues with your work history or qualifications.
- Red flags can negatively impact your chance of landing an interview because hiring managers may doubt your skills, reliability, or suitability for the role.
- Some of the most common resume red flags include unexplained gaps in employment, use of vague or generic phrases, and listing irrelevant personal information.
- To avoid red flags, make sure your resume is clear, concise, and flawless. Address gaps in employment, use specific language, and focus on outlining relevant skills and achievements for the job you’re applying for.
What Are Red Flags on a Resume?
Red flags on a resume are signs that make hiring managers question your experience, professionalism, or even whether the information on your resume is accurate. When recruiters spot these issues, they may further screen your resume, and if they discover that something doesn’t add up, it could lower your chances of getting hired.
Since hiring managers review hundreds of resumes, they are trained to spot these red flags quickly. The problem is that many job seekers don’t take specific details seriously when writing their resumes or simply don’t think about them.
To prevent CV red flags, let’s learn what common resume mistakes you should avoid.
10 Common Red Flags on Resumes to Watch Out For
Below, we’ll break down the most common red flags on resumes, how they can appear, and what employers might think when they see them.
#1. Gaps in Employment History
A few months between jobs is normal, but long or frequent gaps in your employment history can make recruiters wonder why you were unemployed for so long. Were you struggling to find a job? Did you leave voluntarily or get fired? Is there something you’re not telling them?
For example, let’s say your resume shows the following:
- Software Engineer, ABC Tech (2018–2020)
- (Next listed job) IT Consultant, XYZ (2023–Present)
Do you see this 3-year gap? It is logical that a hiring manager asks what happened during those missing years. If you have an explanation, like you took time off for personal reasons or education, it’s best to explain gaps in your resume or cover letter.
#2. Use of Generic Phrases and Buzzwords
Using generic phrases and buzzwords isn’t a game-winner. Saying you’re a hardworking, result-driven team player who’s good under pressure doesn’t mean anything to the recruiter—they want to see your concrete achievements.
An example of a bad resume entry would be: “Motivated self-starter with a proven track record of success.” The problem with this statement is that it’s vague and lacks substance. It doesn’t explain what the person has accomplished, how they contributed to their previous roles, or what specific skills set them apart.
So, avoid using buzzwords and clichés because if you’re using words like “innovative,” “passionate,” or “go-getter” without evidence and facts to back them up, they lose their impact.
#3. Too Much Personal Information
Your resume is your business card, and it should be designed to focus solely on your skills and experience, not your personal life. If you include too much personal information in your resume, it could give off the impression of unprofessionalism.
For example, saying you’re married, have two kids, enjoy fishing, and like to travel might interest someone personally, but from an employer’s perspective, these are not relevant details.
Employers value clear boundaries between professional and personal life. So, unless your marital status or hobbies are directly related to your job, avoid including them in your resume. After all, there will be time to discuss personal topics with colleagues if you get the job, and a professional CV can help you get there.
#4. Grammatical and Spelling Errors
A recruiter might see a sentence with incorrect spelling or grammar and immediately rethink how careful you are with your work. Spelling and grammar mistakes make a bad first impression, signaling a lack of attention to detail or, worse, a lack of effort.
You may think that these are small mistakes, but even they can stand out and make a hiring manager skip your application and move on to the next one.
#5. Lack of Achievements
Lack of achievements is one more resume error to avoid. Phrases like “Responsible for managing a sales team and handling customer inquiries” don’t clearly show your actual role and the impact you made.
A recruiter cannot understand whether sales increased, how much, or if the team became more efficient, as well as how you contributed. From the said example, they can only assume that you did something, but what, how, and what contribution you made remains unclear.
#6. Irrelevant Information
Listing your hobbies, unrelated experiences, or other irrelevant details won’t make your resume stand out.
Although they might not lower your chances too much, recruiters don’t look favorably on resumes filled with unnecessary details. Including this kind of information in your resume can make it seem like you’re trying to hide a lack of relevant experience or skills.
#7. Different Information on Resume and LinkedIn Profile
When applying for a job, be sure that recruiters and hiring managers will do a thorough background check to ensure you’re the right fit.
If you have social media profiles—especially LinkedIn—they will likely check your account. The problem arises when there are differences between your resume and LinkedIn profile. For example, your resume says you worked at company A from 2019 to 2021, but your LinkedIn profile shows you worked there from 2018 to 2020.
Discrepancies like this can make employers question the accuracy of your information or even your honesty, which could negatively impact your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.
#8. Excessive Job Hopping
Just like unexplained employment gaps, frequently changing jobs in a short period can reduce the chances of getting into another round. To understand why this is a red flag, put yourself in the recruiter’s position. Imagine someone who has held five or six different positions in just two years. What does that tell you?
It could suggest a lack of stability or commitment, indecisiveness, impatience, or even issues with discipline. If a company is looking for a long-term employee, this could be a major concern. Why would they invest in training you if there’s a big chance you’ll leave after a few months?
#9. Unclear Job Titles and Responsibilities
Using vague job titles or failing to describe your responsibilities clearly can confuse recruiters. For example, if you write that you worked as a “Specialist” at company A, that could mean anything. Without clarification, recruiters won’t know if your expertise aligns with the position they’re hiring for.
From a recruiter’s perspective, this kind of vagueness isn’t helpful because they may struggle to understand your role and how it relates to the position you’re applying for, resulting in switching to another candidate.
#10. Overly Long or Cluttered Resume
Just like in any other job, recruiters need to be efficient, especially since they review a lot of resumes daily. This means they don’t have time to waste on unnecessary details, and a cluttered or overly long resume is one of them.
Recruiters typically spend just a few seconds scanning a resume. If yours is five pages long or includes every job you’ve ever had, even those from 10 years ago or unrelated to the industry you’re applying for, it makes it harder for hiring managers to focus on what’s relevant.
A resume like this may give the impression that you don’t know how to separate important information from irrelevant information or that you’re unsure about the direction of your career.
6 Strategies on How to Avoid Red Flags on Your Resume
Now that you know how red flags can negatively impact your resume and influence a hiring manager’s perception, let’s explore the best professional resume tips and tricks to avoid them.
#1. Proofread Your Resume
No matter how urgently you need to submit your resume, whether you’re facing a tight deadline or a sudden job opportunity, it must reflect the best version of you. As mentioned earlier, your resume is often the first impression an employer gets, so accuracy and professionalism are crucial.
Therefore, after writing your resume, take the time to read it multiple times to catch any mistakes. Using a resume grammar check tool, such as Enhancv, can help you identify errors, but it’s also wise to ask a trusted friend or mentor to review it, as a fresh perspective can catch issues you might have missed.
This way, with proper proofreading, you ensure the resume is clear and error-free, which reflects your professionalism and increases your chances of being taken seriously.
#2. Address the Gaps in Your Resume
Employment gaps in your work history can raise red flags for the recruiter, making them wonder why you were unemployed and whether it reflects instability or a lack of commitment. Instead of leaving these gaps open to interpretation, be upfront about them. The best way to fix gaps in employment history is to briefly explain what you were doing during that time.
So, if you were freelancing, volunteering, or taking courses to upskill, mention it. For example, you could write: “Volunteered for a nonprofit organization, where I led community outreach programs and coordinated fundraising efforts, which strengthened my leadership and project management skills”.
Addressing gaps directly reassures employers that you remain proactive and engaged, showing them you’re responsible and committed to growth.
#3. Use Clear and Specific Language
Many resumes include overused buzzwords like “motivated”, “hard working”, or “works well under pressure”. However, these phrases don’t provide real insight into your abilities. That’s why you should avoid resume cliches and focus on resume language that clearly conveys your impact through specific achievements.
So, instead of saying, for example, “Responsible for managing a team,” be more precise and say: “Led a team of 10 sales representatives and managed to increase revenue by 30% in six months.”
When providing measurable results, employers are familiarized with how you contributed to your previous roles. Additionally, it will make your resume easy to understand, even for someone outside your field.
#4. Keep Personal Information Minimal
One of the most important resume tips for job seekers is to keep personal details to a minimum. While you might think adding personal information helps make a connection with recruiters, it can actually distract from your qualifications.
Hiring managers are primarily interested in your skills, experience, and accomplishments, not your marital status, hobbies, or age. That is why your resume should focus on what makes you a strong candidate for the job. So, save the personal touch for your interview, where your personality can shine through in conversation.
Keep in mind that a resume is a professional document, so your focus should be on relevant qualifications that will make a strong impact.
#5. Align Resume with LinkedIn Profile
When submitting your resume, keep in mind the previously mentioned background check. Namely, recruiters are likely to cross-check your LinkedIn profile, especially if they have doubts about certain details, such as employment gaps, inconsistent dates, or other uncertainties. They may also look you up simply to gain a broader picture of your career path.
So, while LinkedIn may provide more details and cover your full career history, remember that the core information from your resume, such as job titles, employment dates, and key responsibilities, has to be reflected accurately to ensure consistency. Of course, it’s okay to tailor your resume for specific job applications, emphasizing the most relevant experiences and skills for each role.
However, if these two differ in core, a recruiter might suspect you lied on a resume or exaggerated your experience. Even small inconsistencies in dates or job descriptions can raise red flags, so it’s important to keep aligning your LinkedIn profile with your resume.
#6. Showcase Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities
One of the most common resume mistakes is listing job responsibilities without showing the impact of your work. Instead of simply stating what your job entailed, highlight what you accomplished in that role.
For example, instead of: “Worked as a project manager for software development,” say: “Led a team of 10 developers to launch XYZ App, which gained 50,000+ users in its first three months.”
This way, by shifting the focus to measurable achievements, you make your resume more compelling and demonstrate your value. The same principles apply if you want to write a good LinkedIn profile—showcase skills through concrete examples and results rather than just listing generic duties.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how big of an impact a resume has in today’s highly competitive and technology-driven job market, it’s crucial to write a good resume that sets you apart from other candidates and secures a strong starting position.
So, make sure to avoid common resume red flags, such as unexplained employment gaps, mismatched job details, or exaggerated skills, by applying the right strategies to present yourself accurately and professionally.
With a well-crafted resume that aligns with your LinkedIn profile and highlights your actual achievements, you’ll increase your chances of landing the job you deserve.
Resume Red Flags FAQ
#1. What is the number one mistake on a resume?
The number one mistake on a resume is having typos or grammatical errors. Even a small mistake can make you seem careless and unprofessional.
#2. Can I use a photo on my resume?
You can use your photo on your resume, but in most cases, this is not recommended. Unless you’re applying for a job in modeling or acting, adding a photo can lead to bias and take up valuable space.
#3. Should I include my full address on my resume?
You could include your full address on your resume, but it’s not necessary. Listing your city and state is usually enough, as a full address is commonly not relevant to most employers.
#4. Why are most resumes rejected?
Most resumes are rejected because of poor formatting, grammatical mistakes, lack of relevant experience, and vague descriptions without relevant achievements. Everyone wants a clear and well-structured resume that quickly presents the candidate.
