When recruiters or hiring managers catch red flags on your resume, they’re less likely to call you to schedule an interview. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as the perfect resume, and every recruiter is different, valuing different things from company loyalty to skill sets. Getting your dream job is difficult because you can never truly know what employers are looking for in candidates. Sure, you have the job description, but you don’t have much information telling you what you can put on your resume to stand out.
Luckily, even if you have red flags on your resume, you can control your narrative by explaining them. Red flags can make potential employers wonder whether you’re a top-performing employee, forcing them to doubt your commitment. Luckily, you can address possible concerns and make a good impression with your resume. Here are the most common red flags you might be including in your resume.
Employment Gaps
Employment gaps force employers to consider whether or not you’d be someone committed to their companies, especially if you have long periods between previous jobs with no explanation. Gaps happen, and most recruiters expect them every now and then. However, they can make hiring managers assume that you have trouble finding work for one reason or another.
Interviewers looking for new employees assume the worst because they haven’t met you yet. However, they also understand there are valid reasons for employment gaps, including taking time off to care for a family member, going back to school, or long-term unemployment due to being laid off. As a job candidate, it’s up to you to address these gaps.
Even when you’ve taken time off from work, you may have still been doing things that can demonstrate your knowledge and give a recruiter a reason to pick up the phone to call you. For example, if you stayed home to take care of young children for a few years, you may have also taken online courses to improve your skills. You can also address any of your daily activities that might pertain to the job. For example, if you’re taking care of a senior loved one, you can put any soft or hard skills you’ve learned in that time, including your ability to be patient or learn new skills quickly.
You may also have gaps on your resume from when you weren’t working full-time. However, contractor or consulting work still counts as work, so you may not have a gap in employment. In addition, if you didn’t have a full-time job for a few years, you could still find ways to build your skills or continue working in the same industry, whether it’s the creator industry or finance. For example, if you worked as a copywriter at an agency and then left your career to become a stay-at-home parent, you can still do consulting and contract to work on the side, which should all be listed on your resume.
Sometimes, you can’t take on additional side work while taking time away from work. However, you can still list any meaningful experiences you’ve had outside of work, including volunteering or taking classes.
If you have a gap in your resume for any reason, try to articulate that on your resume. For example, if you were unemployed because you wanted to choose your next position carefully, you can say that on your resume. Some reasons you haven’t had a job for a while may show employers that you care enough about your positions to be selective. Also, by conveying that a gap in employment was your choice, you’ll show employers that it wasn’t because you couldn’t find work.
Job Hopping
Another common red flag on resumes and something that a hiring team will take note of is job hopping, which describes a situation in which someone has multiple jobs in a short period. Job hopping is less of a concern now than it used to be, but employers still want to avoid hiring job hoppers because they’re afraid they’ll have to retrain someone and waste time and resources. In addition, job hopping might unintentionally tell employers that you struggle to stay committed to a position or organization.
If you’ve had multiple jobs over a short period, don’t panic. You can explain these changes in positions on your resume by emphasizing how job hopping has benefitted your career and grown your skills. For example, if you’re a CNA whose worked in a variety of different healthcare facilities from hospitals to nursing homes, this may give you a boost because you’re showing you have a wide array of experiences in different areas of healthcare. There’s nothing wrong with leaving jobs while trying to find the right opportunity for you; you just have to articulate that job hopping has been beneficial and improved your ability to do a certain job.
No matter how many times you’ve hopped jobs, you can always explain your successes during your short tenure in each role. Always note the accomplishments that allow you to demonstrate the skills required for the open position.
Departures
Sometimes jobs don’t work out on either side. You’re not alone if you’ve ever been let go from a job. But, of course, many HR departments want to hire candidates who are already employed because it shows that they are performing well enough not to get fired from their jobs. Unfortunately for them, most people still employed are happy with their positions, so they may be more passive candidates, making them difficult to recruit.
If prospective employers see that you’ve left a job for any reason, they’ll want to know more about it. You can put this information directly on your resume, but be aware that you’ll be asked about it if you’re called in for an interview. If you were fired, be transparent about it and explain why the role was not the right fit for you. If you left a job, explain why it was your choice to leave. Employers will appreciate your honesty because it helps them determine whether or not you’re right for the role.
Final Thoughts
Looking for a new job might be stressful, especially if you’ve left your previous job without any opportunities lined up. However, by addressing the three red flags we just talked about, you can start to earn more interviews and impress prospective employers.
Ashley Nielsen
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer where she shares knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness or financial tips. During her free time she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.