Does it ever feel like the term “millennials” is an annoying buzzword or something that the American workforce can’t stop mentioning? Regardless of how this may make you feel, this is a term that won’t be going away anytime soon.
You probably keep hearing something about “Generation Y is the future” or “right now is the time to attract millennials at your organization”—although it might seem repetitive, it’s true. This generation currently makes up approximately 36% of the workforce, according to a report released by LifeBenefits. Additionally, the percentage of millennials in the workforce is only going to increase in the years to come.
This also means that there’s a good chance you’ve had a decent influx of resumes coming from this specific generation at your company. While hiring millennials is essential to growing business, it’s also important to make sure you’re hiring the best-fit candidates. One way to avoid poor hiring decisions is by scanning resumes for certain warning signs.
The following are several red flags on millennial resumes that hiring managers should search for in order to avoid hiring a potential turnover candidate at your company:
Careless Grammar & Spelling—This is an obvious red flag to spot on any resume. If a potential candidate is lazy enough to not carefully proofread his or her resume, then it’s likely that same candidate will not perform to the best of his or her ability.
Full Sentences—Resumes should never be written in full sentences. Candidates should be aware of the fact that hiring managers don’t have the time to read through lengthy resumes for every applicant. It’s also an improper way to fill out this type of professional document. The standard resume format includes descriptive, informative bullet points and numbers—not sentences that tell a long story.
Numbers Are Not Listed—As previously mentioned, numbers should always be listed on a resume. Numbers are an easy way to inform hiring managers of when candidates’ previous experiences took place, such as education, prior jobs, internships or important extracurricular activities.
Out-Of-Towners—This might not always be a red flag, especially if a candidate is already planning on moving to the area of your business. Nevertheless, this can be a serious warning sign of those types of candidates who apply to nearly every job posted on the Internet or those who like the idea of living near your location, but actually have no serious intention on moving. Don’t waste your time if you don’t think a candidate is serious; ask first before conducting an initial interview.
Zero Signs Of Success Or Professionalism—Candidates should always list their accomplishments on their resumes. If he or she hasn’t had any official award or success as a young professional, then the candidate should at least list professional experiences. A resume missing professional experience is a clear indication that the candidate is not ready to fulfill the open position.
These are only a few, common warning signs you’re likely to find on millennial resumes.
If you would like to learn about the 15 more red flags to look for on resumes, download our free eBook!
Did you like this article? Click here to subscribe to our blog.
