Resume Red Flags: What NOT to Include on Your Resume in 2025
Published on: May 9, 2025
By Jessica Payne, Executive Sales Manager at Frontline Source Group
As a senior recruiting manager at Frontline Source Group, I review hundreds of resumes each month for positions ranging from administrative roles to C-suite executives. While we use AI software to help match qualified candidates with positions, ultimately a human—like me—reviews each resume before we move forward with a candidate. Today, I'm sharing the top resume elements that should be immediately removed from your application in 2025.
1. Inappropriate Email Addresses
This seems obvious, but we still see unprofessional email addresses regularly. Your email should be some combination of your name, not references to hobbies, jokes, or anything that could be perceived as unprofessional. When our AI systems or recruiters see emails like "partyanimal@email.com" or "beerlover85@email.com," it immediately creates a negative impression.
2. Excessive Personal Information
At Frontline Source Group, we value diversity and inclusion, but your resume isn't the place to share personal details unrelated to your professional qualifications. Remove:
- Your age or birthdate
- Marital status
- Religious affiliations
- Political views
- Nationality or citizenship status (unless relevant for work visa purposes)
- Photos (unless you're in an industry where this is standard)
These details not only take up valuable space but can inadvertently lead to bias in the hiring process.
3. Outdated or Irrelevant Experience
When we're placing professionals in roles, we're primarily interested in your recent and relevant experience. Remove:
- Jobs from more than 10-15 years ago (unless directly relevant)
- High school information if you have a college degree
- Outdated skills or technologies
- Hobbies and interests that don't relate to the position
- Roles that don't support your current career trajectory
At Frontline, we respect your time and promise not to waste it—please do the same for recruiters by keeping your resume focused and relevant.
4. Salary Expectations or History
I've noticed an increasing trend of candidates including salary information on resumes, perhaps thinking it will streamline the process. This is a mistake. Remove any mention of:
- Previous salaries
- Current salary
- Salary expectations
This information is best saved for discussions during the interview process when you have more context about the role and can properly negotiate.
5. Paragraphs Instead of Bullet Points
Dense blocks of text make your resume difficult to scan. Our recruiters spend approximately 6-7 seconds on the initial review of a resume. Replace paragraphs with:
- Concise bullet points highlighting achievements
- Quantifiable results where possible
- Action verbs that showcase your contributions
This format makes it much easier for us to quickly identify your qualifications.
6. References or "References Available Upon Request"
At Frontline Source Group, we verify personal and professional references as part of our pre-screening process, but we don't need this information on your resume. Remove:
- Names and contact information of references
- The phrase "References available upon request"
This is understood and simply takes up valuable space on your document.
7. Grammatical Errors and Typos
This might seem basic, but according to research, spelling and grammatical errors are the number one resume mistake that can cost you the job. When we see errors on a resume, it signals a lack of attention to detail—a quality that's essential in virtually every role we place.
8. Three-Page (or Longer) Resumes
As a general rule, if we have to go beyond page two, we're unlikely to read the content carefully. Even for executive positions, aim for two pages maximum. I can assure you that most hiring managers at our client companies feel the same way. Be concise and prioritize your most impressive achievements.
Final Thoughts
At Frontline Source Group, we're committed to matching the right candidates with the right opportunities. By removing these unnecessary elements from your resume, you'll create a clean, professional document that helps us see your true potential more clearly.
Remember: your resume is not an autobiography—it's a strategic marketing document designed to showcase your qualifications for a specific position. Make every word count.
