11 red flags job recruiters never ignore — Expert advice on how to avoid the most commonly made mistakes
Hiring professionals who see countless job applications every year begin to notice patterns of red flags that can instantly disqualify a candidate. Here, experts share their thoughts on the most commonly made mistakes.
1. Avoid the White Fonting Trick
Surprisingly, many candidates still use the “white fonting” tactic on their résumés. This practice stems from an outdated piece of advice that has spread over time: include extra keywords or copy the entire job description, reduce the font size, and change the color to white. The intention is to make the text invisible to the eye but still detectable by applicant tracking systems. It’s essentially an attempt to game the system.
As a recruiter, I’ve encountered this more times than I can count. However, the moment I highlight the text or open the file in dark mode, the trick becomes glaringly apparent. It immediately raises concerns about the candidate’s integrity, making it a clear red flag.
Indeed, résumés should be keyword-optimized. However, the correct approach is to naturally incorporate relevant terms from the job description into your bullet points. Demonstrate how you’ve applied those skills through concrete examples and results.
Read the complete Fast Company featured article: https://www.fastcompany.com/91325850/11-job-application-red-flags-recruiters-never-ignore-job-application-mistakes
