If you’re engaged in the hiring process, you likely know there are many resume red flags to look out for – thinks like big gaps between employment and signs of job hopping.
However, did you also know there are plenty of cover letter red flags to be aware of?
Unfortunately, as one of Miami’s top staffing agencies, Future Force knows that many managers tend to skim the cover letter or ignore it altogether. But considering these letters offer just one more opportunity for you to evaluate a candidate, it’s wise to take a second look (or a first look if you’re in the “ignoring” category).
So what are some red flags to be on the look out for when evaluating candidates? Here are just a few:
Red Flag #1: Not Sending a Cover Letter.
Unless you specified in your job posting for candidates not to send a cover letter, actually doing so is a bad sign about a candidate. If they don’t know even the most basic protocol of a job search, then what other fundamentals aren’t they aware of? And do you really have the time and resources to teach them all? The answer is: probably not. Moving on…
Red Flag #2: Bad Grammar.
It’s one thing if a candidate spells a minor word wrong, but the rest of their cover letter and resume are flawless. It’s a whole different ball of wax when every sentence has errors, grammar is awkward and there’s a general lack of attention to detail (your name is spelled wrong, for instance).
Red Flag #3: Forgetting to Remove Another Company’s Name.
While we’d like to think every letter is written from scratch and completely customized, that’s not realistic. Many candidates simply swap out company names and job titles and present the same letter to potential employers. However, smart candidates proofread their resumes to make sure they actually changed each instance of another company’s name appearing.
Red Flag #4: No Explanation of Big Employment Gaps.
Smart candidates will explain in their cover letter why there is a large gap between employment on their resume. Perhaps it was due to a lay off; or maybe they stayed home for a few years to raise small children. Whatever the case, they will assuage your fears by offering a reasonable explanation, so you can look past the gap and at their skills and experience instead.
However, if a candidate has big gaps in employment and signs of job hopping – and offers no explanation in their cover letter, then run…don’t walk…the other way.
Red Flag #5: Not Following Directions.
If you ask a candidate for specific information in their cover letter, and they fail to offer it, then that’s a clear indication they can’t follow directions. And if they can’t follow simple instructions in a job posting, then how are they going to be able to follow more complicated directions when on the job?
At the end of the day, a cover letter isn’t just a waste of paper. It’s another way for you to analyze whether a candidate is professional, detail oriented, can follow directions, and has the skills and experience you need to get the job done.
Want to Outsource the Resume Screening Process to the Experts?
Let Future Force know. As one of Miami’s top staffing agencies, we can handle the sourcing and screening process for you, while you focus on running your business. Contact Future Force today to learn more about how we can help you.