Crafting a strong resume is more than listing your experience - it’s about avoiding hidden signals that recruiters spot in seconds. Experts identify several red flags that can sabotage your chances, even if you’re highly qualified. One of the most common: generic statements such as “Results-oriented professional with proven track record” that disguise the lack of achievements. Recruiters prefer specific, quantifiable outcomes. 

Unexplained employment gaps or a history of frequent short-term roles also raise concerns about stability, commitment or skill gaps. Similarly, vague job descriptions (“handled accounts”, “worked on projects”) fail to convey your professional impact; instead, they trigger doubts.
On the formatting side, typos, inconsistent dates, poor layout or overly flashy designs get filtered out quickly by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and harshly judged by recruiters.
The takeaway? Treat your resume as professional marketing copy. Use clear, concise language; quantify achievements; tailor it to the role; and ensure clean formatting. Fixing these unnoticed red-flags could be the difference between a hire and an early rejection.