Recruiters go through so many resumes that they instantly start noticing whenever one has such a red flag. When Reddit userscottlottleasked recruiters to share these, they didn’t hold back from spilling all the tea. Well, we compiled the darkest ones for you, so just scroll down and check them out for yourself!

More info:Reddit

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Side note, the most annoying thing in applying for a job is having to explain any gaps.

Person reviewing a resume, highlighting HR red flags on a wooden desk with a clipboard.

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A very unprofessional email is definitely one. You see some insane emails. I knew someone who got an email address that had “big daddy” in it.For anyone who needs a professional email address, personally I find any combination of your first, middle, last names, initials, and birthdate are all acceptable. In fact any numbers but 420, 69, etc. And 123 is fine.

Gmail inbox on a laptop screen, highlighting potential resume red flags in career communications.

Not HR, but recruited many times. Poor grammar and spelling. No relevant experience. Inconsistent fonts and layout. Too long. A well worded resume should convey enough in two pages to elicit an interview.

Job interview scene with a female candidate; resume red flags being evaluated by an HR specialist across the table.

When you go through the list, some of these red flags will surely raise your eyebrows, and you will wonder about all the chaosrecruitershave to go through. At times, they are disguised well for normal people to spot, but since recruiters have so much experience, they get quite good at it.To learn more about these red flags and how they disrupt the recruiting process,Bored Pandareached out toNicole Dias, who has been working in the HR department for over 7 years and has over 4 years of recruiting experience. She mentioned that one of the major parts of recruitment is the candidate’s profile screening.“I would definitely say that at least 80% of weightage is given to red flags while screening profiles. Recruiters need to make sure that the resume with the right experience is routed to the hiring manager for it to be a potential selection. If a recruiter sees a potential red flag in the resume, that candidate is probably an HR reject,” Nicole added.

When you go through the list, some of these red flags will surely raise your eyebrows, and you will wonder about all the chaosrecruitershave to go through. At times, they are disguised well for normal people to spot, but since recruiters have so much experience, they get quite good at it.

To learn more about these red flags and how they disrupt the recruiting process,Bored Pandareached out toNicole Dias, who has been working in the HR department for over 7 years and has over 4 years of recruiting experience. She mentioned that one of the major parts of recruitment is the candidate’s profile screening.

“I would definitely say that at least 80% of weightage is given to red flags while screening profiles. Recruiters need to make sure that the resume with the right experience is routed to the hiring manager for it to be a potential selection. If a recruiter sees a potential red flag in the resume, that candidate is probably an HR reject,” Nicole added.

When their job title says “entrepreneur” and their description just screams pyramid scheme.

Yellow notepad with “fraud” written, surrounded by hundred-dollar bills, highlighting resume red flags and concerns.

As a positive, had a woman apply for a job. Her cv listed her as a mother for the previous 10 years. She listed her skills and tasks like any other job. Prior to that she was in the army and in her bio she described herself as a confident, reliable and hardworking individual with expert “weapon handling skills and combat experience.” Which was pretty cool.Red flag, the guy who described himself as a “third place candidate” in an election 10 years ago for a racist party. Like not only are you a racist, but you’re not even an accomplished racist!

Soldier in uniform hugging smiling child in a living room setting.

My father-in-law was once involved in a hiring process and saw a resume he threw out very quickly. Not only was it chronological instead of antichronological (not a red flag per se, but not very practical either). The first (and oldest) achievement the applicant put on it was her “shoelacing diploma”. Yes, the thing we get in kindergarten when you have learned to tie your shoes. According to the applicant, it proved that she was a go-getter. To him, it proved that she lacked common sense.

Close-up of a person in colorful knee pads and sneakers, lacing up shoes at a skate park.

When we asked Nicole whether there are anyred flagsthat can be overlooked, she smiled and said, “Well, we are all humans in the end, so some minor red flags (or should I say orange flags) can definitely be overlooked or explained away depending on the context and the candidate’s ability to address it effectively.“She mentioned employment gaps, frequentjobchanges, career changes, and past terminations among other things. She strongly believes that if candidates are transparent andself-awareabout all the above points, there’s often a chance that it can be overlooked.

When we asked Nicole whether there are anyred flagsthat can be overlooked, she smiled and said, “Well, we are all humans in the end, so some minor red flags (or should I say orange flags) can definitely be overlooked or explained away depending on the context and the candidate’s ability to address it effectively.”

She mentioned employment gaps, frequentjobchanges, career changes, and past terminations among other things. She strongly believes that if candidates are transparent andself-awareabout all the above points, there’s often a chance that it can be overlooked.

Dude put “Netflix and chill” under his interests.

Two people watching Netflix on a TV against a brick wall backdrop in a living room setting.

Depending on the job, when they include all their social media accounts and a headshot.

Person reviewing a resume on a clipboard with a cup of coffee nearby, focusing on potential red flags.

Woman reviewing papers closely, identifying resume red flags, seated on a green sofa.

While speaking about a major red flag that completely obstructs the recruiting process, our expert stressed about candidates lying on theirresumes. Nicole claimed that it can lead to a bad impression on the HR rep as well as the hiring manager and further leads to a rejection.

“We have had such an instance before where the candidate couldn’t perform despite boasting about it on the resume. Not only was he fired, but we also had to go through the recruiting process all over again. This caused a lot of inconvenience for us, and I’m sure he suffered as well,” she added.

Had to check a few resumes for our vacant position:My biggest problem is lying:1. Candidate says they have a lot of experience with a certain technology, but when asked, doesn’t know anything.2. Dates of employment or education don’t match up. Had a guy claiming he had 4 jobs at the same time.3. Experience doesnt add up: don’t claim you have 10 years of experience with a framework created 5 years ago.

Two people in a professional setting discussing resume red flags across a desk with decor in the background.

As seen on a resume I received this week:“Might or might not come to work”.

Woman in gray sweater with paper and coffee, contemplating resume red flags while looking at a laptop.

So not a recruiter, but I was helping my then manager go over resumes. We googled one dude, and the first thing that pops up is an article about someone getting tried for manslaughter or homicide for selling bad (hard ds contaminated with something) ds at the bar he worked at as a bartender, complete with extensive interviews from coworkers saying they were pretty sure he’d sold contaminated d***s purposely.And we know it was the same dude, BECAUSE HE LISTED THE BAR ON HIS RESUME.

Bartender in a rustic bar mixing a drink, illustrating career red flags in hospitality jobs.

Lastly, when we asked Nicole’s advice for candidates who are currently seeking jobs and how they could eliminate these red flags from their resumes, she emphasized these points:Employment gaps:Briefly explain the reason for the gap, whether it’s due to personal reasons (e.g., caregiving, education, health) or career exploration.Frequent job changes:Emphasize the diversity of experience, adaptability, and skills gained.Career changes:Clearly articulate why you’re transitioning and how your previous experience is relevant to the new role.Past terminations:Acknowledge the situation honestly without assigning blame and focus on what you’ve learned.

Lastly, when we asked Nicole’s advice for candidates who are currently seeking jobs and how they could eliminate these red flags from their resumes, she emphasized these points:

Not really a red flag but a resume that’s longer than 2 pages. And unless you’ve got 10+ years of experience, 1 page is fine.A resume should be a knock on the door. You don’t kick the door down with your resume.

Two people exchanging a resume document across a table, focusing on resume red flags.

Still spelling engineer wrong after getting the degree. Seriously - google that or listen to the autocorrect. I know math is your thing - not spelling, but still…

Construction worker in a warehouse wearing a hard hat and safety vest, using a laptop.

Saw this once work experience- dog walkingReason for leaving - the dog died.

Person walking five dogs on a leash outside, highlighting resume red flags metaphorically.

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Well, our expert’s insights definitely sound like wonderful advice all candidates can heed and implement in their resumes. Most importantly, they should definitely steer clear from lying and further jeopardizing their career, don’t you think?

Man with a unique mustache, wearing a suit outdoors, pondering resume red flags discussed by HR specialists.

Was recruiting a while back for a couple of positions in my company. Got one cv that was 18 pages long detailing in minute detail everything this guy had done at previous jobs.Another included a 75 page portfolio.Suffice to say neither got an interview.One of the guys that got the job brought a short portfolio of a few pages with plenty of pictures to the interview. Far more appropriate.

Person writing notes during a job interview, highlighting potential resume red flags.

When my partner was a manager he once received a resume with a watermark tiger as the background. How he didn’t hire them on the spot, I’ll never know.

Two men in a discussion across a desk, highlighting potential resume red flags with a third person observing.

The resume saying something like “keen atttention to detail” is one that always makes me roll my eyes.

A stressed woman at a desk surrounded by office supplies, highlighting resume red flags in job applications.

As someone who went through the ringers in the architecture field and now part of the hiring process . My advice is to keep resumes to one page . We really don’t have time to go through two pages of awards and merits . And portfolios that are above 10 pages really are not necessary.We have gotten 30-40 page portfolios that are incomplete and look ugly . I rather see 5-10 good pages and a solid one page resumes .It automatically signals fluff to us , especially when the portfolio lacks substance .Through my career I have always done 1 page resume , 2 page portfolios, and letters of recommendation . Then on my resume or in emails I give a link to my full portfolio , and full website about my merits .Also as of lately this whole " google architect” is real. For example , we have seen a latest trend in work not being original . Almost blatant copies .

Person in a suit handing over a resume to another individual, highlighting career red flags noted by HR specialists.

A blood stain.

A white shirt with a red handprint stain, symbolizing career-ending resume red flags.

Finally this is my time to shine.The first thing any recruiter looks at first is the dates on your resume, because the #1 thing we care about is if you can hold a job. If you go from job to job only lasting a few months, you’ll be rejected before we even speak with you.

Man packing office belongings in a box, illustrating resume red flags impacting career starts.

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