Spotting Signals: Key Resume Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring
You want to hire top talent. It all starts with perusing resumes. It is easy for potential hires to embellish their experience or even falsify information. So, how do you avoid reg flags? Here are four warning signs to look for when reading someone’s resume.
errors and outdated information
When someone applies for a position, (hopefully) they are putting their best foot forward. Typos and grammatical errors can be a result of rushing. Lack of attention to detail can convey a lack of seriousness about the job. Formatting should be clear and concise. Messy formatting or unnecessary punctuation is something to watch for. The same is true for outdated information. Phone numbers and email addresses should be up to date. The candidate needs to be easy to reach. An earnest job seeker will want to get in touch.
information that is not specific
With resume-building software, it is easy for today’s job seekers to make resumes online. Sadly, some candidates pull example resume templates and do not customize the information. In this case, the experience listed may not be accurate to them. Resumes with information specific to the candidate and actual numbers or stats are more likely truthful. According to Kick Resume, 44% of resumes contain filler words. Avoid resumes that seem to say a lot without saying much. Be sure to also look for displays of both hard and soft skills. Of course, also always call their previous employers to validate information.
lack of professionalism
While it may seem that it goes without saying, professionalism is paramount. Overly casual photos on resumes or the use of slang are not be-fitting on a resume. Remember, you are hiring someone to represent your company. This starts with the way they present themselves. Many employees use their resumes to be creative. Consider the type of role you are hiring for. If you are hiring for a creative position (like marketing), the candidate may use slightly different formatting or more color to display their portfolio. While some of this is fine, it should always remain within the bounds of professionalism.
not following directions
An easy way to shift through resumes is to include specific instructions. For example, please email your cover letter and resume as one document as a PDF to this email address. A simple line like that in the job description will reveal who read the entire posting and who did not. Pay close attention to which candidates read and followed the instructions you outlined.
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