Resume red flags:

1. Typographical, grammatical and spelling errors. These types of errors may indicate a lack of attention to detail and laziness, e.g., candidate was not willing to fix the problems.
2. Functional versus chronological resume. A resume without dates may indicate gaps in the job history or an attempt to hide inexperience.
3. Qualifiers. Phrases such as "assisted," "knowledge of," "familiar with," or "had exposure to" may indicate a lack of depth or direct involvement.
4. Trivia. A long listing of hobbies and outside experiences may be an attempt to hide lack of skills and work experience.
5. Wordy. Resumes should be able to be read at a glance, and lots of words raises concerns that the candidate isn't organized and can't get to the point succinctly.

How to avoid mistakes in reference checking:

1. Check references. Many employers don't. Do your due diligence, and don't make the mistake of bypassing this critical step.
2. Get written permission from the applicant. Have the applicant sign a consent form releasing you and former employers from any liability resulting from an exchange of information.
3. Go beyond verification of employment. Review the candidate's resume with the former employer(s) and supervisor(s) to identify inconsistencies.
4. Get the whole picture. Contact references and conduct other types of background screening. The Small Business Administration reports that "for every dollar an employer invests in personnel screening, the savings range from five to 16 dollars in reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, lower turnover, safer working environments, reduced insurance premiums and decreased employer liability."

Source: "National Business Employment Weekly"