Is Your Resume Raising Red Flags?

After spending hours editing, condensing and polishing your resume, you haven't gotten many callbacks or interviews. While this could be due to a competitive candidate pool, you want to be sure that there aren't any red flags in your resume that may turn off potential employers. Here are a few reasons why your resume hasn't gotten as much traction as you might have expected.

Confusing Job Titles

Some companies like to use funny, creative or downright weird job titles within their organization. These titles, while amusing to internal employees and managers, can be confusing to the outside world. If your job title is not crystal clear to the average person, consider changing it to something more mainstream. This helps hiring managers understand your current or former role so they can determine whether you're the kind of candidate they need. Moreover, use of a more recognizable job title optimizes your resume to make it past resume scanning software, which looks for relevant keywords based on the job description.

Employment Gaps

Even the most qualified candidates may have gaps in their employment history. Instead of hoping the hiring manager won't notice, take a proactive approach. Briefly explain the reason for the gaps either in your cover letter or right there on your resume. It's better than leaving the hiring manager to wonder what you did with yourself during that time. If you took on any noteworthy volunteer projects, part-time jobs or educational pursuits, don't be shy about including them, especially if they required the use of any hard skills.

Location, Location, Location

If you live in Missouri and apply for a job in Georgia, including your address on your resume could cause many recruiters to start asking questions. Will you have trouble starting the job on the first day due to relocation? Will you require help with moving costs? Will you hate your new location and decide to quit? These are not the kinds of questions you want potential employers asking about you. No matter where you are in relation to the jobs you apply for, leave your physical address off your resume. Hiring managers don't really need it, and it makes your resume seem dated. You can discuss your relocation plans with the employer as you move further along in the hiring process. For now, your full name, phone number and email address is all the information they need when considering you for a position at their company.

No matter how carefully crafted or expertly written your resume may be, these potential red flags can cause a stall in getting that next dream job. Address these issues proactively to make it easier for hiring managers to understand your skills, experiences and motivation.

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