Have you seen these resume red flags?

Remember looking for Waldo? In a giant page crowded with activity, your goal was to spot a person who fit just the right criteria.

Sorting through resumes can be similar.

Managers plow through piles of resumes looking for candidates who sound like a great fit. But they need to narrow that stack before screening can help. So, how do you know who holds promise and who only looks good on paper?

It’s easier if you watch for these red flags reflected in resumes.

Job-hopping. More than 40 percent of executives say job-hopping is a deal breaker. For a new employee, learning the ropes takes six months or longer. That makes hiring someone who changes jobs every eight to 12 months expensive and unproductive.

Employment gaps. These empty spaces are almost always a red flag. But some gaps can be explained by family changes or moves or the economy. You may have to dig deeper, asking a candidate about these chunks of time.

Spelling or grammatical mistakes. We all make them sometimes, don’t we? But resume errors do more than spoil first impressions. They can reflect the candidate’s attention to detail and their professional abilities. 

Achievements and merit. Does their resume show a career that’s progressed over time? A candidate with a lack of achievement is a red flag unless there are some unforeseen circumstances they can explain.

Other questions can include being laid off or not having a bachelor’s degree. But like all other red flags they should be considered in context. For example, being laid off may have been an economic issue and a bachelor’s degree might not be as important as relevant experience.

Knowing what to look for on a resume is important, but so is getting the full picture. Hiring with the right background screening partner makes a difference. Call ClearStar today to get started.

At ClearStar, we are committed to your success. An important part of your employment screening program involves compliance with various laws and regulations, which is why we are providing information regarding screening requirements in certain countries, region, etc. While we are happy to provide you with this information, it is your responsibility to comply with applicable laws and to understand how such information pertains to your employment screening program. The foregoing information is not offered as legal advice but is instead offered for informational purposes. ClearStar is not a law firm and does not offer legal advice and this communication does not form an attorney client relationship. The foregoing information is therefore not intended as a substitute for the legal advice of a lawyer knowledgeable of the user’s individual circumstances or to provide legal advice. ClearStar makes no assurances regarding the accuracy, completeness, or utility of the information contained in this publication. Legislative, regulatory and case law developments regularly impact on general research and this area is evolving rapidly. ClearStar expressly disclaim any warranties or responsibility or damages associated with or arising out of the information provided herein.