Red flags are prompts to ask a question, not reasons to auto-reject. Here are the ones worth probing.
A red flag on a CV is a signal to investigate, not a verdict. Treated as auto-rejects they introduce bias and lose good candidates; treated as interview prompts they sharpen your screening. Here are the ones that matter and how to handle them.
Vague impact and 'responsible for' language
CVs full of duties but no outcomes make it hard to judge contribution. Probe for ownership and measurable results rather than rejecting outright — some strong people simply write modest CVs.
Unexplained gaps and short tenures
Gaps and short stints are worth a question, not an assumption. There are many legitimate reasons; ask about them in a structured, consistent way for every candidate.
Title inflation and keyword stuffing
A senior title at a tiny company and a dense keyword list both warrant a closer look at the actual scope. A screen that scores demonstrated experience — not keyword density — catches stuffing automatically.
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