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Ten Ways to Rejection-Proof Your Resume

How can top recruiters reject resumes so fast?

Here is a list of 10 "red flags" that recruiters look for in screening them out. This list was developed by Jonas, Walters & Association, a Milwaukee recruiting firm and reprinted in the National Business Employment Weekly.

If you want your resume to get serious attention, pay attention to the following:

1. Do not omit dates of past jobs or college degrees. It looks like you are hiding something.
   
   
2. Do not use a highly ornate, unprofessional resume. Unless the presentation directly relates to your work, avoid slick paper or bright colors that may imply you emphasize appearance over content. Formats and fonts should be simple and easy to read.
   
   
3. Do show internal promotions. The lack of progress on jobs suggests that you are on the market because you cannot get promoted where you are.
   
   
4. Do not omit the actual names of former employers. What do you have to hide?
   
   
5. Do not show dramatic career shifts. These could reflect a lack of focus and direction.
   
   
6. Do not show layoffs. These suggest you can only find work with unstable organizations, which cannot attract top candidates.
   
   
7. Do not show long gaps between jobs. Account for the time in some way and describe what you learned if not in an on-the-job situation.
   
   
8. Do not state accomplishments without backing them up with numbers. Do not list activities without showing accomplishments. Do show how you met or exceeded goals.
   
   
9. Do not submit a resume produced on a typewriter. By not using a computer, you show that you are not current.
   
   
10. Do not list your current job as a "consultant." To recruiters, this means you are probably unemployed.

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