The Resume Red Flags I Never Ignore

Impressive credentials are no substitute for integrity and adaptability. Here's what I really look for when building a tech team.

Author

Lior Weinstein
July 03, 2024

Hey there,

Hiring is hard. Hiring for technical roles when you're not a technical expert yourself? That's a minefield no business owner wants to navigate.

As fractional CTOs, we're often tasked with growing tech teams for our clients. And while we may not be the ones coding, we are the ones responsible for the quality and culture of the team we build.

Over the years, I've developed an unconventional approach to screening candidates. Rather than getting dazzled by impressive resumes or smooth-talking interviews, I look for a few key red flags that signal potential trouble down the road.

Here are some of the items on my mental checklist:

  1. Title Hoppers: Have they had 3 title changes in the last year? That could indicate they're more focused on the prestige than the actual work.

  2. The Blame Game: Do they speak negatively about all their past employers? Beware the candidate who takes no responsibility for their part in soured relationships.

  3. Buzzword Bingo: Do they lean on jargon to mask a lack of depth? The best candidates can explain complex concepts in simple terms.

  4. Culture Chameleons: Do their "values" conveniently shift to match what they think you want to hear? Integrity is non-negotiable.

  5. The One-Trick Pony: Have they used the same narrow tech stack for the past decade? In today's fast-moving tech landscape, adaptability is key.

Of course, no candidate is perfect. But by knowing what to watch out for, you can more quickly sift the solid contenders from the risky bets.

The ultimate key? Consistency. Define your non-negotiables up front and then evaluate every candidate against the same bar. 

Don't get wooed by a flashy portfolio or a charismatic personality. Remember: it never gets better than the interview. So stick to your standards, even if it means a longer search.

The team you build is the foundation of everything else you'll do as a fractional CTO. It's worth being picky.

What are your top red flags when screening tech talent? 

Happy hiring!
Lior

Lior Weinstein
Founder & Head Coach, CTOx