Did you know that artificial intelligence (AI) is screening your résumé long before it ever hits a human? And with competition for jobs being more competitive than ever, you simply can’t afford rookie mistakes.
You’re already up against the wall if you haven’t personally entered the AI revolution, as most employers now are going to be looking for candidates who know how to effectively use AI to help them be more productive while spending less time and money.
The last thing you need to do is blow your prospects with preventable red flags on the job market trail.
I’ve worked with many potential leaders like you—on campus, in boardrooms, and at the crossroads of diversity and career development—for years. I’ve also watched their résumés get rejected. I’ve been part of hiring committees where candidates are whittled down through round one before round two even gets started. And I’ve seen the straight-up, unflinching feedback that recruiters won’t say to your face but will use to cut you out.
This blog is your career cheat code. Today, I’m breaking down the biggest hiring red flags, why they matter, and how to fix them.
1) Lack of Communication Skills: Your First Impression is Your Currency
If you can’t clearly and effectively communicate in your résumé, LinkedIn profile, emails, and especially interviews, you won’t get hired.
As reported by a 2025 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey, around 73% of employers list strong communication skills as an essential hiring factor, while only about 46% use Grade Point Average (GPA) as a screening tool.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Misspellings and grammatical mistakes on your résumé or cover letter.
- Interview responses that are vague and rambling.
- Not adapting your communication style to the audience (e.g., using too casual language with recruiters).
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Communication goes beyond words. It expresses your level of detail, professionalism, and ability to represent the company when speaking.
The hiring managers are thinking, “If they can’t write an email or explain their experience, how will they communicate with clients, colleagues, or leadership?”
Your Move
- Before you press submit, run your résumé and LinkedIn profile through the wringer of something like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor.
- Rehearse your interview responses out loud.
- Make an appointment with a mentor or friend to conduct a mock interview.
Your future self is relying on you.
2) Lack of Preparation: Winging It Will Cost You
Preparation is directly correlated with performance.
Recruiters quickly recognize and appreciate candidates who demonstrate strong preparation, clear communication, and confidence within the first few minutes of an interview.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Insufficient knowledge of standard facts about the company.
- Asking very general questions like, “What does your company do?”
- Having trouble explaining why you want to work at the company.
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Firms desire people with intentionality.
Not coming prepared demonstrates that you are not eager for the deal or do not have the work ethic to be prepared.
Your Move
- Learn about the firm.
- Read the company’s mission statement, press releases, and Glassdoor listings.
- Practice your answers, demonstrating how your skills are relevant to their business objectives and how you can help them solve their problems and pain points.
And if you’re a person of color and concerned about restricted access to corporate pipelines because of recent legislation, use that as your strength. Appear resourceful, hungry, and value-add ready.
3) Disjointed Career Narrative: If You Don’t Know Your Story, They Won’t Either
Your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and interview responses need to narrate one powerful throughline and exceptional story.
Example: If your résumé screams “data analyst” but you’re applying for a social media manager role with zero explanation, expect a rejection.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Mismatched job titles and bullet points.
- Changing your story in the middle of the interview.
- Lack of a clear professional identity.
Why It’s A Dealbreaker
Hiring managers don’t have time to play detective. They want to see a clear throughline: “This candidate has the skills, the experience, and the focus for this role.”
Your Move
- Share a career story.
- Even if your history is non-traditional, demonstrate how your skills are transferable.
- Draw lines from your previous experience to the profession you are seeking.
This is legacy work. This is how you own your story.
4) Negative Energy: No One Wants to Hire Drama
Energy is contagious. If you walk into an interview complaining about your last boss, showing zero enthusiasm for the process, or acting like the company should feel lucky just to have you, consider yourself out of the running.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Speaking ill of former employers.
- Entitlement (e.g., being a special snowflake without exposing yourself).
- Demonstrating little excitement for the job.
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Companies don’t need problem-makers; they need solution-finders. They need individuals who bring the level of the room up, not suck the energy out of the room.
Your Move
- Be a master of positive reframing. Maybe your former work culture was awful, but write about what you learned and how you grew.
- Share what you’re most enthusiastic about in the new role.
This isn’t about spinning a story for appearances—it’s about demonstrating emotional intelligence. And make no mistake: that’s a leadership skill that employers value and remember.
5) Lack of Follow-Up: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
I just can’t emphasize this enough: Follow up. Always.
According to CareerBuilder, more than 22% of hiring managers indicate they’re less likely to hire someone who doesn’t send a thank-you note following an interview.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Not writing a thank-you email within 24 hours.
- Sending a bland, cut-and-paste, generic message that does not mention the discussion.
- Not following up with your recruiter in case you don’t get an answer.
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Follow-up demonstrates professionalism, interest, and emotional intelligence. It keeps you one step ahead of the competition as well.
Your Move
- Send a thank-you email after each interview.
- Refer to specific topics that you discussed.
- Reiterate your interest and your differential value.
These little actions distinguish between amateurs and professionals.
6) Not Owning Your Mistakes: Accountability is Currency
You’re human. You mess up. But you get to decide how to deal with your mistakes, and they’ll either build or destroy trust.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Blaming past job failures on others.
- Evading tough questions (e.g., gaps in employment.
- Defensiveness when questioned about weaknesses.
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Companies aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for accountability.
Leaders own up to their gaps and show how they’re filling them.
Your Move
- Be honest but diplomatic.
- Describe how you’ve grown, what you’ve learned, and how you’re filling in skill gaps.
- If you flubbed an interview response, clarify in your thank-you note.
7) Lack of Emotional Intelligence: The Hidden Job Skill
In 2025 and beyond, emotional quotient (EQ) is more critical than ever. In a study conducted by TalentSmart, EQ accounts for 58% of job performance across industries.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Interrupting the interviewer.
- Failing to read social cues (e.g., going on at length when they’re finishing things up)
- Not answering the questions you are being asked.
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Technical skills can be learned.
Emotional intelligence? Not so much.
Your Move
- Practice active listening.
- Pay close attention to your interviewer’s timing, tone, and verbal cues.
- Respond with empathy, awareness, and emotional sensitivity, showing that you’re fully engaged and able to adapt to the conversation in real time.
Remember: people hire people they like. Your energy is important.
8) Over-Blowing Your Résumé: Don’t Get Caught Lying
In an era where LinkedIn profiles, references, and online histories can be traced with ease, résumé exaggeration is a career killer.
The results of a 2024 Resume Genius survey revealed that for 82% of hiring managers, lying during interviews is the biggest dealbreaker.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Adding fictitious job titles or duties;
- Asserting technical proficiency you don’t possess; and
- Embellishing your experience with nebulous buzzwords.
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Trust is non-negotiable. If hiring managers catch you stretching the truth once, they’ll assume there’s more where that came from—and just like that, you’re done.
Your Move
Proudly claim your actual experience, regardless of how petty it may seem. Emphasize impact over fluff. Recognize transferable skills.
If you’re new to the job market, but maybe you’ve led a student group at your university… that’s leadership experience. Take ownership.
9) Low Energy or Lack of Professional Presence: You’re Always Interviewing
From your initial recruiter phone screen to your last panel interview, you’re not only being assessed on what you’re saying, but how you’re presenting.
The red flags you need to look out for include:
- Low energy on video interviews (leaning, failing to keep eye contact, poor lighting);
- Being disengaged or distracted; and
- Dressing in something unprofessional for the company culture.
Why It’s a Dealbreaker
Perception is reality.
You have to project that you’re ready, or they’re not going to take a chance on you.
Your Move
Schedule a professional Zoom background. Dress one level more formal than the company dress code. Sit straight up. Communicate with purpose.
This is your moment—treat it as such.
Final Word: This is Legacy Work, and You’re Building It Now
None of these warning signs is about being perfect. They are about preparation, intentionality, and ownership.
As a job seeker, you’ve got to bring your A game to every interview. And here’s the best part: You are your own best resource.
If you understand the game, then you can play the game. If you understand the red flags, then you can steer around them.
Your future self is relying on you.
So, here’s what you’re going to do:
- Create a checklist of your résumé.
- Practice your interview responses.
- Develop your personal brand.
- Network like your career is on the line—because it is.
And in case you need guidance? I’m here.
As a career coach and someone who’s served thousands of job seekers like you—that’s my business.
If you’re serious about breaking barriers, securing your bag, and stepping into the next level of your career… let’s connect.
Email me at traceypennywell@gmail.com or send me a message on LinkedIn to start the conversation.