Knowing what to look for when hiring an employee is a job within itself. There are specific red flags employers should be looking for when scanning a resume.

Lack of detail following a job description is a major read flag. Potential employees are often eager to tell employers about all he or she did at their last employer. Lack of detail sends a message that either the job title is exaggerated or the employee truly didn’t workout within the position.

Employers should also look for unexplained gaps in employment. Anything past sixty days without a verifiable reason is a red flag. I’ve seen everything from five years of unexplained gaps to three month gaps without explanations. Again, details are important so if gaps are missing the details- ask questions before considering hiring the employee.

Last, scan the handwriting. Today’s technology often prevents applications and resumes from being completed with penmanship. I suggest asking a potential employer to write a sentence on a blank piece of paper. Take your top five candidates and have their handwriting samples reviewed by a professional. It will tell you many things about his or her personality and work traits that can’t be found within a typed resume or application. Red flags can be addressed before you make a job offer.

Hiring a new employee is a task. I suggest taking the time to not only consider what is being said on a resume – but what isn’t.