Resume Red Flags to Avoid
Grammar mistakes
When reviewing resumes, former Google recruiter Nolan Church emphasizes the importance of grammar. He suggests using tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly to ensure your resume is error-free. Church also believes that multiple people should review your resume to catch any minor errors. Making grammar mistakes on your resume can indicate a lack of attention to detail, which is a major pet peeve for Church.
Multiple unexplained short stints
Church considers “multiple, unexplained short stints” as a red flag. If you had multiple jobs lasting less than a year without providing an explanation, it may suggest a lack of long-term commitment. Church advises adding a short, one-sentence explanation for each job with a short stint, such as “left due to reduction in force.”
Unexplained breaks between roles
Similarly, unexplained breaks between roles raise concerns for Church. While he appreciates career breaks, he wants to know what you did during that time. If you took a year off to take classes or travel, include a section titled “career break” in your resume, mentioning the timeframe and providing two to three bullet points highlighting your personal growth or skill improvement during that break. Failing to explain a career gap may lead Church to assume that you spent the time playing video games.
