‘There must be a problem with that person’: 20+ red flags hiring managers found on various work resumes

Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor

Jun 27, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

People talk all the time about how to notice red flags when going on dates. Be wary of eye contact, body language, how they talk about their mom, etc. We've also talked about red flags when you're seeking employment. For instance, if a potential employer dodges questions about salary transparency, benefits, or office hours, you might want to reconsider before it's too late and you get hired.

But what about when the roles are reversed and you're the hiring manager trying to avoid working with problematic individuals? Surely, there must be common red flags to avoid, from embellished resumes to quirks and eccentricities that are more than just strange. These hiring managers shared what they believe to be the biggest red flags that they have come across on resumes and in interviews during the hiring process. Keep scrolling below for the full list and feel free to share any red flags you've come across in the comments section as well!

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via Resume Genius
One phenomenon that seems to be a frequent topic of conversation within this online community is the embellished resume. Of course, we are sympathetic to the fact that it’s a tough market out there, and people need to do what they can to put themselves in a stronger position to get hired. That being said, we’ve all stumbled across resumes or LinkedIn profiles of people we know that include radically different descriptions of jobs than what they actually were. Sooner or later, the truth comes out. It’s not worth the lie, people!
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_{The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.}
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