10 Recruiters Share Their Biggest Pet Peeves

Introduction

Ever wonder what goes through a recruiter’s mind when they’re reading your resume or interviewing you? We asked 10 recruiters to share their biggest pet peeves, so you can avoid making these common mistakes.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

“It’s the quickest way to get your resume thrown in the ‘no’ pile,” says [Recruiter 1]. “It shows a lack of attention to detail.”

2. Generic, One-Size-Fits-All Resumes

“I want to see that you’ve taken the time to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for,” says [Recruiter 2].

3. Not Researching the Company

“When a candidate asks, ‘So, what does your company do?’ it’s an immediate red flag,” says [Recruiter 3].

4. Being Unprepared for Common Interview Questions

“You should be able to talk about your strengths, weaknesses, and why you want the job,” says [Recruiter 4].

5. Arriving Late (Even for a Virtual Interview)

“It shows a lack of respect for my time,” says [Recruiter 5].

6. Not Asking Questions

“When a candidate doesn’t have any questions for me, it makes me think they’re not that interested in the role,” says [Recruiter 6].

7. Exaggerating or Lying on Your Resume

“We will find out,” says [Recruiter 7]. “It’s better to be honest about your skills and experience.”

8. A Vague or Unprofessional Email Address

“Your email address should be simple and professional, like firstname.lastname@email.com,” says [Recruiter 8].

9. Not Following Up

“A simple thank-you email can go a long way,” says [Recruiter 9].

10. A Negative Attitude

“No one wants to work with someone who is negative or complains about their previous employer,” says [Recruiter 10].