12 Resume Red Flags That Scare Off Employers


Man working stressed.

When writing your resume, always keep in mind that it should be a reflection of yourself. It would help if you kept it professional, avoiding irrelevant and outdated information. Also, make sure that you don’t oversell yourself. As a guide, here are the 12 things you should never include in your resume.

Listing Every Single Accomplishment From High School

Emotional Young Woman Student Having Graduation Party Wearing Graduation Robe
Source: Shutterstock

A user says, “You just know that someone who puts that much useless information on a resume will also fill your ears with even more useless information all day, every day.

It is acceptable for job seekers just out of college to list their accomplishments from high school but not people above 30.

Could Not Work With Women Due to Religion

Businessman Making Video Call Looking At Camera And Talking Discussing
Source: Shutterstock

It is also a red flag when a resume has traces of prejudice, discrimination, racism, or sexism.  

A Watermark of Their Face on Each Page of a Resume

Hispanic Pretty Woman Feeling Clueless And Confused Having No Idea
Source: Shutterstock

A watermark of your picture on your resume is considered inappropriate in the US. But “it’s common and expected in many countries outside the US,” says a poster. 

Puts Their Certificate of Baptism

Confused Businessman
Source: Shutterstock

It is also a red flag when “someone puts their Certificate of Baptism under Certificates and Awards.” Getting baptized is not an achievement. 

“Surfing the Internet and Shooting Pistols” as Hobbies

Puzzled Man Gesturing With One Hand Person With Puzzled Face
Source: Shutterstock

Any hiring manager will set aside a resume that includes browsing and shooting as hobbies. One HR recommends people “put something interesting” in their resumes to stand out, but these two won’t cut it. 

Beer Chugging Champion

Friends Toasting With Glasses Of Whiskey Indoors Closeup
Source: Shutterstock

Beer chugging is a great way to have a great time with friends. However, when someone mentions they are a “Champion & Master of the Chug n Tug” in the Award section in a resume, that becomes a huge red flag.  

No Professional Email Address

Job Interview Businessman Listen To Candidate Answers
Source: Shutterstock

“A very unprofessional email is definitely one (red flag),” writes a hiring manager, “You see some insane emails. I knew someone who got an email address with ‘big daddy’ in it.”

Typographical Errors

Back Rear View Young Asian Woman Employee Work From Home
Source: Shutterstock

Several typographical errors indicate that the person does not pay close attention to details. They are also lazy since there are many online grammar checkers.

5 Years of Experience Using Software That Was Invented 2 Years Ago

Diverse Office: It Programmer Working On Desktop Computer. Male Specialist
Source: Shutterstock

If a job candidate says they have five years of experience with software launched two years ago, that’s a huge red flag.  

Jumps From One Employment to Another

Indian Male Hr Specialist Manager Employer Boss Listening Female Latin
Source: Shutterstock

Some hiring managers also have problems with people who rarely stick to one job. If they hold different positions in less than a year, it could mean they are unstable employees. They may cost you time and money training them, only for them to hop onto the next available job.  

Capitalizing Every Single Word

One Man Worried About Bills Reading Energy Increase Costs
Photo by tommaso79 on Shutterstock

Using all caps,” “capitalizing every single word,” and “not capitalizing any words and pretending that pronunciation doesn’t exist” are more resume red flags. 

Buzzword Salad

Headshot Of Indecisive Confused Young European Woman In Denim Wear
Source: Shutterstock

One HR finds applicants who use buzzword salad “a bit too much.” But one user points out that applicants list extensive descriptions “to get past an automated Applicant Tracking System.”

Source: Reddit
Featured Photo from Shutterstock

14 Craziest Reasons People Got Fired From Their Jobs

Getting Fired. Handsome Businessman In Suit In Office With The
Source: Shutterstock

14 Craziest Reasons People Got Fired From Their Jobs

14 Romanticized Jobs That Actually Suck

Woman Giving Thumbs Down
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

14 Romanticized Jobs That Actually Suck

12 Unspoken Rules That Are Not Completely Obvious

Handsome,young,smiling,driver,of,car,waving,hand,as,a
Source: Shutterstock

12 Unspoken Rules That Are Not Completely Obvious

21 British Words That Are Confusing to Americans

Young Man In Detestation
Photo by SIphotography on Deposit Photos

21 British Phrases That Are Confusing to Americans

10 Words and Phrases That Make You Sound Stupid

Businessman Covers Face With Hand. Guy Facepalms Feeling Ashamed Of
Source: Shutterstock

10 Words and Phrases That Make You Sound Stupid

 

Dad Answers All