Resume & Interview Mistakes: 15 Red Flags You Should Avoid, According to a Recruiter

Getting called for an interview and then getting hired isn’t just about having the right qualifications and experience, especially in a competitive job market. Crafting an impeccable resume and acing those common interview questions is key. But often, candidates stumble on little mistakes that are huge red flags for recruiters.

Typos, outdated resume formats, and vague answers to interview questions are slip-ups that can cost you the job you've been desperately searching for. Here, we list 15 common interview and resume mistakes to avoid, according to a recruiter. Take notes!

Common resume mistakes to avoid

To make this list, we talked to Jessica Munday, Co-Founder and People & Culture Manager at Custom Neon, who has an extensive background in HR and recruitment. “In my many years of recruitment, I've seen various mistakes on resumes and in interviews that, as a hiring manager, I would potentially deem a red flag,” she says. Here's what you shouldn't do:

1. Listing irrelevant experience

 Tailoring your resume for each application is job-seeking 101. But candidates still make the mistake of listing experiences that aren't relevant for the position. “If an applicant hasn't included anything to support their application in the cover letter, this might suggest they haven’t considered their career objectives or don’t fully grasp the job requirements,” Munday says.

To avoid having your resume overlooked, always read job postings carefully and adapt your resume to each application. If you're applying for multiple positions, save different versions of your resume so you don't have to start from scratch every time.

This might help: 6 Tips To Help You Tailor A Resume To The Job Description

2. Telling rather than showing

Just listing your job duties and saying you're good at them isn't convincing. Recruiters want evidence. “You need to substantiate your claims with concrete facts and figures such as ‘Saved the company over $xx,’ ‘Achieved efficiencies of xx percent,’ ‘Renegotiated a contract worth $xx’,” Munday says.

3. Using overused expressions

Overused expressions and jargon are also common resume red flags. “Resumes frequently feature words like ‘motivated,’ ‘punctual,’ ‘honest,’ ‘enthusiastic,’ ‘hardworking,’ ‘ambitious,’ and ‘loyal,’” Munday says. Besides being cliché, those are bare minimum characteristics for a candidate. 

“The same goes for general phrases like ‘team player,’ ‘good communicator,’ and ‘go above and beyond,’” she adds. “Instead, we want to see action words such as: initiated, managed, progressed, developed, turned around, and created, but they need to be backed up with what you achieved.” 

4. Inconsistent or outdated formatting

Resume formatting is just as important as the content itself. Yet, job seekers often mix up formatting styles that don’t flow well together. “A resume with varying fonts or alignment issues looks scrappy, unprofessional, and can distract from the content. It also shows a lack of care and skill,” Munday says.

The only exception is for professionals in creative fields. “In highly creative roles, where the resume format itself is part of the showcase (e.g. graphic design), some formatting leniency might be allowed if the overall creativity and skill are apparent,” she says.

Read this next: The 50 Best Resume Tips That Will Get You Hired

5. Typos and grammatical errors

Not spell-checking your resume before submitting it is another big mistake. “In most cases, spelling, grammar, and formatting mistakes are not excusable because as with poor formatting, they reflect a lack of attention to detail,” Munday says. 

She emphasizes the abundance of free spell-checker tools available on the internet as the reason this shouldn't happen. Simply put, not checking could make you look unprofessional and lazy. 

The rare exceptions where typos and minor grammatical errors—emphasis on “minor”—might be overlooked are on resumes of foreign applicants or candidates who have disclosed a learning difficulty. 

“Whilst I'd like a candidate to be using tools to correct spelling and grammar, some words like there and their, may not get flagged as incorrect. So, some circumstances require leniency,” Munday adds.

6. Using an unprofessional email address

This one is pretty straightforward. Having a childish, inappropriate, or weird email address you made when you were thirteen is one of the biggest red flags on a resume because it shows poor judgment. You might think it's funny or quirky, but recruiters probably won't find it amusing. 

7. Including references or salary expectations

Your resume isn’t the place to talk about salary, make demands, or list requirements. These discussions usually happen after the first interview or later in the hiring process. The same goes for adding references. Unless the job posting asks for references upfront, you can hold off until recruiters request them later in the process.

8. Not following the recruiter's direction

Failing to include specific information or requested documents is just as problematic as including unnecessary details. After all, how can recruiters believe you're detail-oriented and capable of following instructions if you don't demonstrate these skills during the application process? “If the job spec requests a cover letter, provide one, and make it relevant to the job/business for which you are applying,” Munday says.

Common interview mistakes to avoid

Congratulations! Your resume was selected, and you're invited to an interview. Now, your mission is to make the best possible impression. A great way to start is by avoiding these common job interview mistakes:

9. Lack of preparation 

Being visibly unprepared to answer the interview questions is a huge red flag. “Not researching the company or role can indicate a lack of genuine interest,” Munday says. This applies to both job-related questions and common job interview questions, like “Tell me about yourself” or “What's your greatest strength?” 

Not asking questions to the recruiter can also signal lack of preparation and disinterest. It's a good idea to go in with a couple of questions ready. “Specific questions and knowledge about the company demonstrate preparedness,” she says.

10. Over-talking or under-talking

An interview is your chance to learn about the employer and showcase yourself as the ideal candidate. However, avoid turning it into a monologue. On the flip side, don't under-talk either—being too quiet is just as big of a mistake. “Finding a balance is key. Over-talking can seem boastful or unfocused, while under-talking might indicate a lack of confidence or knowledge,” Munday says.

11. Bad-mouthing former employers

Bad-mouthing past employers is one of the biggest interview red flags—if not the biggest. According to Munday, it reflects negatively on your character. “Speaking poorly about past employers or colleagues can suggest potential issues with professionalism or teamwork.”

No matter how toxic your past experience was, never give an overly blunt answer about why you left that job. Instead, prepare a response that conveys your reasons without seeming unprofessional. For instance, saying “I decided to pursue my career goals elsewhere” or “I'm seeking opportunities in new industries” are better answers than “I had a toxic boss.” 

13. Vague answers 

When asked questions like “Why did you leave your last job?”, you can stick with straightforward and "standard" answers. However, avoiding specifics on behavioral and situational questions usually doesn't go over well with hiring managers.

“Non-specific answers to behavioral or situational questions can signal a lack of experience or reflection on past performance,” Munday says. She also warns about the risk of inconsistencies between your answers and your resume content. “Not being able to explain something you've listed on the resume can be a sign someone else created this resume for you.”

14. Poor body language 

A job interview, especially in person, is more than just an evaluation of your qualifications—recruiters observe everything, including your body language. Still, many candidates overlook this and unintentionally display poor body language.

“Lack of eye contact, slouching, or fidgeting can convey a lack of confidence or interest,” Munday says. This goes for both in-person and virtual interviews, because some body movements are easy to catch on camera.

Read this next: These 5 Body Language Mistakes Can Ruin Your Reputation at Work

15. Showing up late

Showing up late indicates lack of interest and poor time management skills. Your answers and behavior during the interview should reflect the professional described in your resume or cover letter. If there's a disconnect between your words and actions, it could cost you the opportunity.

FAQs

What not to tell recruiters?

According to Munday, these are the things candidates should not tell recruiters “to maintain professionalism and a positive impression”:

• Anything dishonest (i.e lying about skills or qualifications)

• Negative comments

• Overly personal information 

You should also avoid salary demands early on. “Bringing up salary requirements too early in the process can be off-putting. It’s better to let the recruiter bring it up at the appropriate time,” Munday says.

What is a red flag on a resume?

A red flag on a resume is something that makes recruiters take notice in a negative way. Common red flags include spelling and grammar errors, inconsistent formatting, irrelevant experiences, and filler words or overused expressions. Always customize your resume for the job positions, use a simple and minimalistic template, and check for spelling and grammar errors.

Is it OK to have errors on your resume?

Not really. Recruiters might overlook minor mistakes in specific cases (like a typo from a foreign candidate due to a language barrier). But it's always wise to proofread your resume thoroughly before submitting it.

How many mistakes are acceptable on a resume?

The fewer resume mistakes in your application, the better. Recruiters typically have little to no tolerance for errors, especially when they could have been avoided with better attention to detail and smart use of technology. Minor mistakes, like a typo, might be overlooked if the rest of the content is well-crafted.

What is the biggest mistake with resume writing?

Resume mistakes don't have a scale of importance, but inconsistencies in formatting, poor grammar, and irrelevant information often signal unprofessionalism, lack of interest, and poor judgment. Randomly applying to multiple opportunities without tailoring your resume can lead to immediate disqualification.