Most job seekers are well aware of the major no-nos on resumes, but here’s the bad news: your resume probably has other red flags you’re not aware of. Here’s the worst news: There’s no way to know for sure what they are.

Why? Because every recruiter and hiring manager has a different approach, and every company has different needs. A red flag for one position is an asset for another.

What’s a job seeker to do? Well, if you’re a mind reader, that’s a big help. Otherwise, you have to rely on learning about industry norms and consider what you want in a job and a company. Here are a few common red flags:

1. No social media presence

While you should never include a link to a personal profile, not having one at all can also raise concerns. In most positions, technology plays an important role, and your ability to maintain a social media account shows a level of comfort employers want to see.

For many creative jobs, such as Web design, photography or writing, it’s expected as a way to gain access to a portfolio of your work. Depending on your industry, this can be done through a Flickr account, a blog or even a Twitter feed.

For jobs that rely heavily on your ability to network and develop relationships, such as marketing and sales positions, showcasing your large social following can be an asset. For many online marketing positions, it’s a requirement, whether it’s stated upfront or not.

Not sure what the standard is for your industry? In almost any job, it’s a safe bet to include your LinkedIn profile. (Click here to tweet this thought.) A great place is in your header under your email address. It’s unlikely a hiring manager would toss your resume for including it, and you’ll avoid being overlooked because someone assumes you’re a techno-phobe.

2. Too few job changes

You probably know that job hoppers are frowned upon, but staying in one place for too long can also hurt you. Many employers want applicants with a wide range of experience. They may question the depth of your knowledge of the industry or wonder why you didn’t take initiative to find more opportunities for growth.

This is particularly true for any industry that requires a diverse set of skills and expertise, such as technology-related fields and project management positions.

What’s a loyal employee to do? If you changed positions or were promoted, break up those different titles into separate sections. Be sure to highlight any changes in department or location as well.

If you haven’t moved around, it’s even more important to highlight specific accomplishments and continuing education to alleviate any concerns. And before you panic, consider this:

If you’ve been in one position for a long period of time, it’s likely you valued that company’s loyalty to you as well. If a new potential employer thinks loyalty is a weakness, it may not be the right match for you anyway.

3. No hobbies or additional interests

Nine times out of ten, including this section on your resume is a bad idea. Employers don’t care about your life outside of work. (Many of them would probably prefer you didn’t have one at all.)

That being said, for some jobs, it’s crucial to showing why you’re the right candidate. If you’re applying for a position at a surfboard company, the fact you can ride a wave is definitely relevant.

A veterinarian’s office is likely to be impressed by your volunteer work with the local shelter and your three dogs, two cats, one gerbil and tank full of fish. In these instances, not including information about your personal life is a mistake.

Also, some workplaces — particularly younger, tech companies — make a point to showcase their employees’ hobbies and personal accomplishments. For instance, they might post on their blog about an employee winning a chess tournament or share the results of their annual table tennis competition.

It’s about showing that you’re not just qualified, but also a match for the company culture. It’s unlikely your resume would be thrown out for omitting this information, but its inclusion can move you to the top of the pile.

4. You’re too qualified

If you seem too good to be true, employers often assume it’s all false. Even if they believe you, it can bring up questions about why you want the job in the first place and how long you’ll stay if you get it.

This can be particularly frustrating for applicants actively seeking a less stressful position or trying to change industries. Take it down a notch. Look at what’s required for this particular position, and make sure you’re showcasing just those qualifications (and maybe just a bit more).

Don’t be afraid to tone down position titles, too. It’s not lying to list your position as marketing if you were the marketing manager, but that extra word can make a big difference in how you’re perceived.

Also, be careful about over-explaining your positions as this can be seen as overcompensating. The key is to focus on achievements in a clear but concise way.

What concerns do you have about the impression your resume gives employers? Share in the comments.

Juliana Weiss-Roessler is a professional resume writer based in Austin, TX. She’s also a contributor to JobTonic.com, where you can perform a job search and apply directly to multiple top job search sites in one easy location.

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The post 4 Mega-Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make On Your Resume appeared first on Brazen Life.

Now, you might think you’re too young to deal with this right now, but if you’re a career woman planning on having kids in the future—or you might marry a working woman—this could be an issue you’ll confront a few short years down the road.

You can prepare yourself now by becoming indispensable and incredibly talented at your job. If your company doesn’t want to lose you, they’ll be more likely to want to work with you. But what else can you do to protect your ability to have it all?

By law, workplaces with over 50 employees are required to provide working moms with break time and a private spot (besides the restroom) to pump breast milk—but that doesn’t mean they’ll be happy about it. While your job may be protected, your career certainly isn’t.

So here are a few tips for juggling successfully:

Talk with management.

If you want to convince your boss that breastfeeding won’t interfere with your ability to perform your job well—or your ability to take on that promotion you’re vying for—you need to sit down and discuss your plans about pumping.

Make your boss aware that you believe it’s ultimately what’s best for you, your baby and the company. Why? Because women who breastfeed miss less work time since their babies get sick less often and recover more quickly.

Also, you can let your boss know how you plan to make up the time you spend breastfeeding (typically 15 minutes three times a day). But you might not even have to make it up if you’re smart about how you pump.

Invest in a hands-free pump.

Women in many positions can spend the majority of pumping time still working. How?

You can use your smartphone to check email or make phone calls or your laptop to work on presentations and other work tasks. Many mothers use part of their lunch hour to pump. You can either cut your lunch short or tack on an extra 30 minutes at the end of the day.

Letting your employer know you’ve thought these things shows that you plan on continuing to make your job a priority once the baby arrives.

Take all of your maternity leave.

And some vacation or sick days, too, if you have some to spare. Don’t look at your email. Don’t call to check in at the office. Don’t even think about work. Just focus on the baby and you.

This may seem like counter-intuitive advice. Many moms expect to rush back to work after the baby’s born—and after all, doesn’t that show your employer you’re dedicated to the job? Sure, but here’s the problem: you need time to master the art of breastfeeding—and dealing with a newborn, for that matter.

And it will take probably longer than you think. Rushing back to work and then under-performing or needing to take sporadic time off to cope with new challenges won’t send the right message to your employer about your ability to juggle work and motherhood.

By taking the time initially to master the new skills you need as a mom, you’ll be more efficient during those pumping breaks, feel less stressed about handling it all and ultimately be able to perform your job better.

Make that private place your second office.

As mentioned earlier, your employer is legally required to provide you with an area to pump. Hopefully that’s an office or conference room where you can lay claim to part of the space. If you can, stock it with the supplies you need to do your job from there—as well as something to drink and whatever else you need to feel comfortable so you can get the most out of that time.

Although there’s nothing to be ashamed of, many women are uncomfortable with letting others know they’re pumping. You can keep the equipment hidden by using an attractive bag to carry it around if needed. (And you’ll also want a lunch box or other container to hide the bottles of milk when they’re in the work fridge.)

The added benefit of being discrete about pumping is that the more seamless and unnoticeable it is, the more quickly management and your co-workers will forget any concerns they might have over it.

A few more tips to help you master the art of balancing work and pump:

• When you’re with the baby, nurse—don’t bottle feed. Your baby is more effective at stimulating your milk supply than a pump.
• Always, always have an extra shirt ready. You never know when you might spring a leak…and you don’t want it to be right before an important meeting.
• Try a Skype setup if you’re in a position where meetings are so frequent that it’s difficult to schedule pumping sessions around them. With the web cam angled carefully, there’s no reason anyone should know you’re multitasking.
• Talk with a lactation consultant. If you’re nearing the end of maternity leave and any part of the process is a little bumpy, get help. And if the advice from the first consultant isn’t working, try another. Everyone has different strategies, and you need to find the person whose advice works for you.
• Consider working from home or bringing the baby to work. If either of these is a viable option, it can help you focus better on both of your competing priorities.

Does all this sound hard? Well, that’s because it is. There will be days when you want to give up. After all, plenty of babies do just fine on formula, right? But remind yourself of all the health benefits of breastfeeding, and that will help you power through.

Juliana Weiss-Roessler is a breastfeeding mother and freelance writer based in Los Angeles. She’s also a contributor to Resume Builder Online and a professional resume editor.

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The post Tips for Juggling Breastfeeding and Your Career appeared first on Brazen Life.