Interview Blocking Resumes: Warning Signs Hiring Managers Spot in a Minute

How’s your resume response rate?  In other words, are you getting many calls for interviews?  If your resume is not generating interviews, it’s time to evaluate your resume.  Hiring managers look for signs that a candidate will not be successful or a proper fit for the job.  Is your resume sending signs to hiring manager?  Let’s take a look at the top five warning signs that hiring managers can spot in a minute.

Typos & Sloppy Appearance

A messy, unorganized resume with typographical errors is a sign that you lack the diligence and attention to detail to deliver a quality document.  Take the time to create a document that reinforces the positive aspects of your brand.

Lack of Focus

A well-written resume will elicit the reaction: “Wow, this candidate is perfect for the XYZ position.”   If the resume is not written with a focus on a particular job opportunity or occupation, the hiring manager may not immediately perceive you as a match for the job you seek. Also, you give the impression that you do not have a goal or a plan. Always tailor your resume for the opportunity at hand. The best way to achieve this is to customize the summary at the top of your resume and include a core competencies section to feature your top job skills relevant to the target job.

Inconsistent Information

If your resume says you grew sales of Product A by 18% in 2013 and your LinkedIn profile says, 24% in 2013, it will cause the reader to wonder if either number is true.  Is the candidate just pulling these numbers out of the air?  Another example of inconsistency is with dates used in the resume.  Review carefully to be sure all of the information on your resume is accurate and presented in a consistent manner. 

Gaps & Job Hopping

You cannot change your past.  However, you can minimize the negative impact when writing your resume. Using years only (YYYY) instead of months and years (MM/YYYY) can resolve the issue in many cases. Multiple short-term jobs can give the appearance of job hopping.  Consider omitting some of the short-term, less relevant jobs from your resume.  If you use years only, that will cover the gaps left by omitting some of your short-term jobs.  Is this an acceptable practice for resume writing?   Yes.  A resume should be 100% truthful, but as a marketing document it does not have to be all-inclusive. Instead, it is a selection of your experience, education, and skills most relevant to your career goal.

There are elements of winning resumes that you can adopt so you are attracting interviews, rather than blocking interviews.  Craft an attractive, well-organized document to make a good first impression.  Identify your goal and the skills and experience that you have to market yourself as the perfect candidate.  Third, present your skills, knowledge, and accomplishments in a consistent manner so you don’t raise flags about the authenticity of your resume content. Lastly, downplay any gaps or short-term positions.  By addressing those four items, you can make a profound difference in your interview rate.