Big, Unexpected Job Gaps

It's not uncommon to have some time between jobs. A few weeks or even a few months may not seem too out of the norm in some industries. But those big gaps, where you were not working for six months or longer, can be a big warning sign for your potential employer. They want to know:

• Why weren't you working during that period?
• Were you looking for a job, and if so, why didn't anyone hire you?
• Were you unable to work because of injuries or illness? Has that improved, or is it an ongoing concern?

Big job gaps create questions. One of the ways around this is to explain them. For example, you might expect to take several months off work to welcome your new child into your home or to complete a certification for your licensing or educational goals. Fill in the blank when there are positive reasons why you were not there. See this step-by-step guide.

ATS-Unfriendly Layouts

The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) has revolutionized the way employers accept applications. However, this process is rather organized, streamlined, and straightforward. If you submit a resume that's not easily understood by the ATS, it will not get inputted and sent to the prospective employer. That means you never even get seen by the employer.

To make your resume ATS-friendly, you'll need to keep to a few specific rules:

• Simple is better. A clean, chronological format is best. Use standard section headers.
• Avoid complicated formatting. Skip the footers, tables, and text boxes. Avoid graphics and images. Common ATS formatting mistakes.
• Always use the correct file format. That's typically .docx or a text-based PDF.
• Use keywords the employer used in the job description, but don't overdo it. Make sure it sounds as if someone is speaking.
• Up the game with lots of skills. This section is a likely hotspot for keywords your employer expects you to have.

Make sure you proofread your resume and use a resume scanner to check to ensure it matches the format requested in the job description. This takes a few minutes, but it can provide you with the best opportunity to get past the ATS.

Job Hopping and Short Stints

Not every job is going to be one you stay out for years at a time. Employers recognize that growth may require going from one employer to the next. However, numerous jobs in a short period of time could prove to be concerning.

What can you do if you have gone from one job to the next or had a few short stints throughout your experience? Explain them. For example, you may explain that you left Job A because you were offered a position where you would learn a new skill at Job B. Show that moving from one job to the next was a way to develop skills and experience that you feel were important to you.

Instead of shortchanging yourself, make this a positive on your resume. Be transparent in why you moved on, but show that your skills continued to build from one position to the next. You can also make it clear that you're looking for a long-term career now, that you have no intention of moving any time soon if you are hired.

More advice on explaining short stints

Let's Talk Errors That May Cause Questions and How to Avoid Them

There are several common warning signs that can instantly mean you're no longer being considered. Here are a few to keep in mind and how to fix them.

• A generic resume. Yes, it's frustrating trying to update your resume to match every job description. However, if there's no cover letter or keyword that matches the job description, it's going to hurt you. The solution? Have a resume that's a template that you use and then add or change out a few words to make sure it aligns.
• The typo. Everyone creates typos. The difference is that some people use editing tools like Grammarly or Word to catch them and change them. Yes, it's another few minutes of editing, but that typo isn't going to get in your way.
• AI-generated content. This is a new and big problem. If you sound too perfect for the job, or your resume reads like a textbook, that's going to trigger your potential employer from working with you. Use a tool like ZeroGPT to help you ensure your words sound like a human wrote them and not a machine.
• Vague descriptions. Tell them what you really did at your last job. Even if it's boring, keep it very specific and accurate. That way, they know you learned something and grew from that position.
• Discrepancies. Small errors can make your employer question what you're really telling them. If there are discrepancies, for example, from your cover letter to your resume, that could lead to being overlooked quickly.

Read through your resume before you submit it. Ask yourself if you would hire a candidate who presented your resume. If not, it may be time to find a few more ways to polish and refine your resume.

Red Flags Are Costly Mistakes

Today, with automation doing so much of the work, it's hard to stand out and submit a perfect resume every time. However, by taking a few extra minutes to pinpoint these very specific red flags, you may be able to sail past the ATS and land your resume on the hiring manager's desk at the top of the pile.