It seems like there are a million different types of résumés out there. While format may be different, the red flags seem to be consistent. Below is a list of items to be mindful of when making your next hiring decision.

1. Misspelled words or poor grammar. This says that the candidate may not pay attention to important details. While opinions vary on how seriously you should take typos in resumes, it’s worth a little extra scrutiny. Consider asking the candidate some extra questions about how they’ve handled detail-oriented projects in the past.

2. More than 2 pages. A résumé should be short and easy for you to read – because you’re busy! Key accomplishments and experience should be highlighted and simple to find. An entry-level candidate should have a one-page résumé; a two-page résumé is appropriate for individuals with six or more years of experience.

3. Unexplained gaps in employment. Gaps in employment during a recession or global pandemic may be justified and completely out of the employee’s control, but repeated loss of, and delay in obtaining, employment may suggest a pattern worth checking into. Is the candidate job hopping? Are they consistently being let go from positions?

4. Career path/industry change. If a candidate was once a sales director and is now a cook, more than likely they had some sort of life changing event that wasn’t for the better.

5. Backward progression. If someone was once a vice president and is now a manager, you should question why the step back. Most people move upwards, or at least laterally. Sometimes parents choose to take a step back in their career after they have children, so they can devote more time to family, so it’s definitely something to inquire on and not must make assumptions on.

6. Lack of achievements. Everyone has done something brag-worthy at work, and if they haven’t, that is cause for concern. A resume is the #1 place to brag about what you’ve done in past positions, so if it is completely lacking in career achievements, that raises questions about the candidate’s work ethic and ambition, or at least their self esteem and confidence in themselves.

A resume and a candidate’s experience should be viewed in the whole context of who they are and how they’ve evolved over time, but these are some general red flags that may warrant a closer look and extra questioning.

Originally published June 2014, updated for content and clarity May 2021.