20+ Hiring managers who refused to interview job candidates: 'I have received a resume that is a screenshot from an iPhone'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Aug 6, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Just in case no one's ever told you, please don't write your resume with the Comic Sans font. That font has become known for being widely disliked, not to mention that it evokes childishness. Perhaps for people who aren't chronically online, choosing this polarizing font makes their resume appear cute (to them, anyway). The HR professional who's looking at that resume is probably going to click away from it immediately or toss it in the garbage can… and that's not the only reason that an HR worker might skip a candidate over for a job. 

One hiring manager noted that they skip over anyone who appears in person wearing pajama pants to either request an application or interview. I suppose not everyone appreciates the Cookie Monster pajamas look! That's fairly obvious — looks really matter while interviewing — but there are also hiring managers who dislike candidates to check up on their applications too much. That makes sense, too. If you're bugging the HR person 3 times a day about how your application is proceeding along, they're not going to appreciate your enthusiasm — they're going to view that as annoying, and they'll skip over you and talk to the next candidate instead. 

Next, read about some construction projects gone wrong, like one person who discovered that "They paved over a cone on Washington Ave." 

Advertisement
  • 01

    "....Human Resources, what red flags on a resume or cover letter will prevent a candidate from getting a call back?"

    kabab2 I cant even count the number of times I have received a resume that is a screen shot from an iphone of a picture they took of their resume. You can see their battery power, wifi signal, everything.
    via u/kabab2
  • 02
    For f s sake, dont ever do that. I usally have a "I dont want to live on this planet anymore" reaction.
    via u/kabab2
  • 03
    BallisticBurrito When I was a nightshift security guard one of the day shift employees forgot her resume on the security desk. I got three words for ya: Pink Comic Sans
    via u/BallisticBurrito
  • 04
    O... If you e-mail your resume to us and it is: • 3 separate files/attachments, one for each page of your resume.
    via u/
  • 05
    • PICTURES of the pages, not even the actual pdf* files. • Poorly formatted on top of these. Then you're doing it wrong, and I hate you. (edit: pdf, not png. Latest edit ever) (Yes, people do this.)
    via u/BallisticBurrito
  • 06
    Til... Big red flag: STUPID EMAIL NAMES. drinkasixty69, hotbabymomma, awesome420, sexybumblebee1995, kickinass1989 or nativechick42 are NOT emails you want to put in a resume to get a job! I see these types of emails every day! I try to tell people
    via u/Tilas
  • 07
    to create a professional email (like your name!) but so many people don't listen, then wonder why they're passed over... EDIT: IN REGARDS TO EMAIL CLIENTS AND EMAIL NAMES: It doesn't matter what client you use, be it Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, whatever! Most employers don't care what client you
    via u/Tilas
  • 08
    use, it's the username you choose that matters. You can use an alias, a word, or a phrase as your email name, never said you couldn't. However, you have to ask yourself, do I want to be known as "lovestodance45"? Your username is your online identity, so make it what you
    via u/Tilas
  • 09
    want to be known as! It can make just as big of an impression as your resume. If the employer sees "batman45" he's not going. to take you as seriously! As for getting rid of the email you already have, don't! It's perfectly fine to have multiple emails, one for work, and one for play. Personally, I have 5, 4 work related and 1 personal. One
    via u/Tilas
  • 10
    nice thing about clients like Gmail is you can link them all together, so you only need to actively check one of them to receive everything. Gmail also allows you to respond as any of those linked emails, saving you time and bouncing between addresses. (I dunno if other clients do this, I only use Gmail and my private sites myself)
    via u/Tilas
  • 11
    And finally, when it comes to how to use your real name as an email address, it doesn't matter. Any variation of First, Middle, Last is fine. Some use all 3, others only use 2. Some put FirstMLast, others LastMFirst, some MiddleLast, it doesn't matter. It's your name. You're good to go however you choose to use it. Find a way that works for you! :)
    via u/Tilas
  • 12
    bluerazz Spelling errors are the number one red flag. You can have the best resume I've ever seen, however, if there is one spelling error, you will not be getting a call. Always make sure that you're actually sending the correct version of your resume...I've gotten several where there are cross outs and red marks all over it.
    via u/bluerazz
  • 13
    adventurouss Not necessarily resumes, but if you're coming to the workplace to fill out an application, bring a pen. Nothing says irresponsibility than knowing you're going. to fill out an application but expect others to supply a pen. Oh, and please dress like you actually want a job. Pajama pants do NOT count.
    via u/adventurouss
  • 14
    pingOfdeath We just had someone put in a resume that listed why she had left previous jobs. That in itself is kind of a "no no" but on one of them she posted "do not know" as one of her answers. Discard pile...
    via u/pingOfdeath
  • 15
    GKY2103 HR Professional here...Agree with the spelling and grammatical errors on resumes. Also I look at lengths and gaps between jobs. Not always a determining factor, but if they were let go or laid off from more than a couple of companies, that's a red flag. A HUGE turnoff is the ones who constantly contact you to "check the status of their
    via u/GKY2103
  • 16
    application." Our system automatically sends out application updates to candidates via email. I've still had people call continuously, track me down through Facebook and linked in, and even show up at the office looking for me. I don't care how qualified you are at that point. You do that sh, you're not getting an interview.
    via u/GKY2103
  • 17
    livefast6221 Formatting and spelling are the obvious ones. Less obvious: Completely unrelated and "unique" hobbies or interests don't belong on a resume. I've seen everything from beekeeping to proficient with a machete (for office jobs). Keep it relevant. This is really paramount.
    via u/livefast6221
  • 18
    Keep religious and political affiliations off your resume and out of your cover letter unless they are specifically related work or volunteer experience. Even then, evaluate whether your resume will be just as strong without them. For cover letters, ensure that if you reference the organization you are applying to, you are referencing the correct one,
    via u/livefast6221
  • 19
    spelling it correctly and describing their mission and culture accurately. It is not uncommon for people to send out 20 apps at a time and forget to modify the cover letter between them. Be sure you can explain any extended gaps in your work history and if possible, fill them in with SOMETHING (protip: volunteer work is never checked, you can fill in employment with in gaps
    via u/livefast6221
  • 20
    relevant volunteer experience if you need). It is so easy to submit dozens of apps online these days, but you should really be asking at least one, preferably two people to proof your resume and CL and give feedback. You don't have to take all of it, but at least they will bring any potential issues to your attention.
    via u/livefast6221
  • 21
    AdamaForPresident As someone who hires in the tech field, if your email address is @aol.com, you won't get a call back.
    via u/AdamaForPresident
  • 22
    Pil... Ok, a red flag a step past the OP question which no one ever mentions: Answer the phone politely when we do call you back!!! Here is a detailed instructional: "Hello, this is [your name here]". Seriously, you sent us the resume, you know we may be calling. 90% of people
    via u/P***_Cosby
  • 23
    are like. "Yeah... ..." when they answer the phone; like we are calling to set up a d g deal or something. Its awkward and off-putting. We have to ask if this is who we are calling for and explain who we are. When we are talking to you it is our
    via u/P***_Cosby
  • 24
    first impression, and you dont want us to think it may be difficult to deal with you when we are hiring you. When people brighten up right away after this it does not even out; makes me wonder what else is just for show to get hired.
    via u/P***_Cosby
  • 25
    zeromoogle Another one. I've actually received resumes and applications written in pencil.
    via u/zeromoogle
  • 26
    clive892 My one that I see a lot in IT is just vague knowledge of lots of different subjects, i.e.: I have lots of programming experience in Java, Excel, HTML, PHP, Photoshop, OneNote, and my w.p.m. is 120.
    via u/clive892
  • 27
    If you can't even quantify how you used these skills, how can you expect me to give you a job.
    via u/clive892
  • 28
    Cheezburger Image 10538874880
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 29
    [deleted] These are all examples of what has made me go "NOPE" to resumes: A photograph of yourself in a bar as part of your resume; A photograph of yourself in a crop top and miniskirt on your resume
    via u/[deleted]
  • 30
    Clip art or drawings ANYWHERE. Hooray, you can draw a squirrel. I don't care. Also, don't include that squirrels are your spirit animal and your nature in that regard will make you the ideal candidate. Poor spelling - if you can't even spell the name of your past employers correctly, then I'm sorry, I'm not interested in you
    via u/[deleted]
  • 31
    No applicable experience to the position whatsoever, unless I specify "No experience necessary". I'm more concerned about job-hopping than gaps. Lots of people are unemployed for periods of time, and I get that. If you go to a different job every two years, that tells me that either you keep getting fired or nothing is good enough for you. If the resume is otherwise great, I
    via u/[deleted]
  • 32
    will call to discuss the work history. Overly political or religious leanings on the resume. Those are just the ones off the top of my head. Also, in your cover letter, don't use words like "insist" or "demand"....like "I insist that you take the time to read my resume" or "I demand that you try to find a person better suited for the role".
    via u/[deleted]
  • 33
    Both of these sentences have come from resumes that have been sent to me in the past 2 weeks. Being confident is great. Being a pushy a hole is not. Don't use an email address like pinkpanties694u. Just please don't do this. Pay attention to where you are sending your resume. If you are sending it to MY COMPANY, do not address it
    via u/[deleted]
  • 34
    to a different company. Also, if you're referencing a specific job, use the actual job title. "I am submitting my resume for consideration for the Customer Service Associate." That is a legit position with my company. If you say that you're sending it into consideration for the Support Team Lead position, that's a flag that you didn't update your cover letter. I don't have a Support Team
    via u/[deleted]
  • 35
    Lead position open, I have a Customer Service Associate position open. Sure, it might be similar to the position I have open, but that's not what it's on our website.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 36
    daylightcatalyst Usually when they haven't. been at their three most recent jobs longer than a year it's bad sign. Nobody wants to hire a job-hopper.
    via u/daylightcatalyst
  • 37
    Cheezburger Image 10538880000
    via Mina Rad on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 38
    dearHR please ATTACH as a pdf. i absolutely hate people who copy and paste their resume into the email. not only does it make you look lazy, but the formatting gets botched on most occasions, and i just get too frustrated to even continue reading..
    via u/dearHR
  • 39
    hopemary I work in the video game industry and this always baffles me. Artists - why do you disable the link to your portfolio? Or, worse, not have one at all. Today, when you type www or http whatever, programs automatically hyperlink that sh so why disable that and actively make it more difficult for me to see you work.
    via u/hopemary
  • 40
    GothicToast Lots of employers have a screening process to cut out the excess before actually getting down to evaluating resumes. If the job you are applying for has "minimum qualifications," make sure it is painfully obvious that you meet those minimum qualifications. If you don't, I am tossing your resume. If
    via u/GothicToast
  • 41
    you do, but I can't see it without painstaking interpretation of your previous job duties, I will toss your resume. There are too many resumes to look through for me to spend extra time trying to figure out if this person may or may not meet the minimums.
    via u/GothicToast
  • 42
    [deleted] If you're emailing - 'Firstname Lastname Resume' should be the name of the file. I can't quickly look you up it's called Resume2014.doc (never do .doc as discussed)
    via u/[deleted]
  • 43
    BluSkyHeisenberg Comic sans
    via u/BluSkyHeisenberg
  • 44
    Cheezburger Image 10538879488
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 45
    shaplatinum Former HR Manager here. If you don't want your CV thrown in the garbage there are a few exceedingly simple things that can prevent you from being judged on anything but your actual qualifications. Firstly, get someone to proofread the thing. Make sure your spelling and grammar are correct, and
    via u/shaplatinum
  • 46
    use a font that is simple and easy to read. Do not exceed two pages. Emphasize actions, results, and anything quantifiable. For a nice, but optional, finishing touch, use nice paper. It shows that you care what they think about you, and that you pay attention to details.
    via u/shaplatinum
  • 47
    Finally, it is not in poor taste to ask for feedback if you don't get the job. I wouldn't object to a polite email inquiring on the specific reasoning behind a hiring decision, and if you had a particularly good rapport with the manager her/she will sometimes recommend other positions/companies you might be better suited for.
    via u/shaplatinum
  • 48
    eds1609 I'm the advertising industry. The thing that makes me laugh is when director level folks get let go or laid off or whatever, and then proceed to list themselves as CEO or President of Blah Blah Blah when it really refers to them freelancing out of their basement. Don't recruiters see through that silliness?
    via u/eds1609
  • 49
    screamforthecream Hi! I am an HR Hiring Rep here...the main things are multiple jobs with less than a year. Also... Take your middle school off... Seriously I don't care about that.
    via u/screamforthecream

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

workplace-stories jobs hired job work hiring human resources workplace resume resumes
Scroll Down For The Next Article