Do-Not-Hire Lists: Facts, Myths, & Tips to Avoid Them

The thought of being on a company's do-not-hire list might not cross your mind often, but it's a slight possibility with the potential to derail your job search.

But what are do-not-hire lists? Are they universal? And how exactly do you land on one?

While you can't control whether a company puts you on their list, you can decrease your odds with your behavior, honesty, and resume.

Below, you'll learn what a do-not-hire list is, common reasons for being on one, how resumes can impact your candidacy, and some proactive steps you can take to address potential issues.

Struggling to land interviews with your resume? Sign up for Teal today.

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What is a do-not-hire list?

A do-not-hire list is a record maintained by companies to track candidates they've decided not to hire or consider for future positions.

These lists can also be called "blacklists" or "no-hire lists," and they can be formal databases or informal notes kept by the human resources department or hiring managers. Despite the rumors, there is no HR blacklist database. These lists are company and hr-department-specific lists.

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Companies use do-not-hire lists to:

• Streamline hiring
• Avoid re-interviewing specific candidates
• Protect themselves from perceived risks

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Considerations of do-not-hire lists

While do-not-hire lists serve an internal purpose, they can also raise legal and ethical concerns.

Laws protected by the EEOC prohibit discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, age, gender, or religion.

That said, companies can choose not to hire based on legitimate reasons like dishonesty or gross misconduct during the application process. But other, more widespread scare tactics, like being a bad fit for a role or applying to multiple jobs at the same company, aren't warranted reasons for ending up on one of these lists.

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Reasons for being put on a do-not-hire list

Understanding why candidates end up on do-not-employ lists can help you avoid making mistakes.

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Teal's Director of Talent, Mike Peditto, shared his thoughts on the reality of these no-hire lists and how they relate to what you can control:

I think it's a misconception that there's some universal blacklist. However, a company can mark you as a 'do not hire candidate' in their system.

Something like this does not affect your candidacy at other companies and is almost never based on simple things like a bad resume or applying to too many jobs. Ending up on a list like this at a company is usually a direct result of behavior or misrepresentation.

Here are some reasons why candidates end up on no-hire lists:

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Gross misconduct

Job seekers who've demonstrated gross misconduct in previous positions can wind up on a company's master list.

Gross misconduct includes serious actions violating company rules and regulations or damaging the workplace environment.

Examples of gross misconduct

• Violating company policies: This can range from breaching confidentiality agreements to breaking safety rules.
• Displaying unprofessional behavior: This includes harassment, discrimination, or any behavior creating a hostile work environment. (It also covers actions like theft, fraud, or substance abuse on the job.)

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Failed background checks

Background checks show employment history. And they're a standard part of most hiring processes. Failing one can result in being added to a do-not-hire list.

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Reasons for failing a background check

• Undisclosed criminal record
• Discrepancies in employment history
• Fake educational claims
• Poor credit history (almost exclusively for finance-related positions)

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Burning bridges

Maintaining professional relationships is crucial for your career. Burning bridges with former employees or prospective employers can lead to being listed as unemployable.

Remember, anything you put in plain text (and even things you don't) can be made public. In short, always act professionally.

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Peditto shared some instances where burning bridges can impact a potential employee:

Doing poorly on an interview or airing some job search grievances on LinkedIn isn't going to get you on a do-not-hire list, but being blatantly disrespectful during an interview or unnecessarily cruel in how you publicly speak to people on LinkedIn just may.

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Examples of burning bridges

• Behaving unprofessionally during or after employment
• Treating a company's customer support or other team members disrespectfully
• Being publicly cruel about a company or its employees

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Lying

Lying on your resume or dishonesty during the application process is a surefire way to end up on a do-not-hire list. Claiming to have specific knowledge, skills, or experience you don’t can result in losing an opportunity if you can't deliver.

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Instances of dishonesty

• Fabricating work experience
• Significantly exaggerating skills or qualifications
• Providing fake references

How resumes impact do-not-hire

Your resume showcases your qualifications and establishes trust with potential employers.

Missteps here can lead to consequences with a hiring manager, including being placed on a do-not-hire list.

Here's what you should watch out for:

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Inconsistencies in work history

Discrepancies in your employment timeline can raise suspicions. Employers may wonder if you're hiding something or if you've fabricated parts of your work history. This can lead to distrust and disqualification.

Here's the thing: no matter what someone on Reddit tells you, HR departments will conduct background checks to verify work history. If they find inconsistencies like fake jobs or fabricated years, it could result in your immediate removal from the hiring process.

Documenting your career history is one way to accurately recall your career. The best way to do this? Maintain a base resume that contains your entire work history. Then, when you're ready to apply for a job, you can pick and choose the achievements that are most appropriate for that specific role.

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Misrepresentation of skills or experience

Overstating your abilities or claiming expertise you don't actually have can backfire.

Even if you've done a decent job at making it sound like you know what you're talking about, employers rely on the information in a resume to assess job applicants for positions. If discovered, false information can lead to immediate disqualification and potential blacklisting.

Instead, focus on your real skills and experiences, highlighting how what you've done connects to the job.

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Hiding gaps in employment

While employment gaps absolutely aren't a negative, attempting to hide them through deception (like extending employment dates or just listing years instead of months and years) can be seen as dishonest and lead to being flagged.

It's better to be upfront about any gaps and provide a brief explanation if necessary. This shows integrity and can turn a gap into a non-issue. For example, if a gap is glaring, you can mention if you took time off for further education, personal development, or if you were part of a restructuring, etc.

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Tips to help resume consideration

Creating a strong, honest resume will help you land more interviews. It's one of the best defenses (besides your behavior and honesty) against ending up on a list of candidates a company doesn't want to speak to again. Your resume is part of your job where you have complete control. Here are some strategies:

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1. Use a professional template

A good template is especially important when dealing with an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

An ATS-friendly format ensures your resume is parsable, increasing your chances of making it past initial screenings. Avoid using images, graphs, or unconventional fonts the ATS might not process correctly.

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Here are some tips on choosing a clear and effective template:

• Simple design: Avoid overly complex designs that can distract from your content (these also can't be scanned by an ATS)
• Consistent formatting: Use consistent font sizes, styles, white space, and headings
• Logical sections: Organize your resume into logical sections (e.g., Contact Information, Professional Summary, Experience, Skills) to make navigation easier

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2. Be honest

Honesty is key in every aspect of your resume.

Avoid the temptation to lie on your resume through exaggeration or false information. If discovered, dishonesty can lead to immediate disqualification and potential blacklisting.

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Make sure to double-check:

• Dates (months and years)
• Job titles
• Work history
• Achievements
• Skills

Always provide truthful information qualifications. Be specific about your abilities and work history, and avoid exaggeration or vague claims.

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3. Include the right sections

Including the right information in your resume helps potential employers understand your career journey—without questions or speculation.

A well-done resume goes beyond listing jobs and responsibilities; it demonstrates qualifications, skills, and achievements in a clear and compelling way.

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Here’s a high-level overview of what you need:

• Contact Information
• Target Title
• Professional Summary 
• Work Experience with achievements
• Education
• Certifications
• Skills
• Optional
  – Projects
  – Awards and Scholarships
  – Volunteering and Leadership
  – Publications
  

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Pro Tip: Not sure where to start? Teal's AI Resume Builder offers built-in guidance to help you write every section of your resume without second-guessing your content.

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4. Tailor your content

Customizing your resume for each position shows you're genuinely interested, you really get what the role is about, and your experience matches what the job needs.

For example, if you're applying for a marketing position, emphasize your marketing achievements, campaigns you've led, and your results. Use keywords from the job description to make sure your resume aligns with what the employer is looking for.

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Pro Tip: Teal's Matching Mode compares the content in your resume to the language in any job ad, giving you a Match Score of how well your document aligns with the needs of the position. (It also offers suggestions for improvement to increase your score!)

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5. Be consistent

Make sure the information on your resume matches your LinkedIn profile and other professional documents, including your application questions.

Inconsistencies can raise hiring or resume red flags and lead to more scrutiny or even disqualification. Employers often cross-check your resume with your online profiles and application materials to verify.

Make sure your job titles, dates of employment, and key achievements are consistent across all platforms—even a few years (or months!) off can make a difference.

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How to address do-not-hire issues

Taking proactive steps can help you avoid or overcome potential do-not-hire situations.

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Use cover letters for context

Leverage your cover letter to provide context for any aspects of your application that might raise questions.

A cover letter is your opportunity to talk about your career (and yes, on occasion, things like employment gaps, career changes, or other unique circumstances when they can potentially impact getting a new job).

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Apply thoughtfully

It's not that applying for multiple roles at a company is a bad thing, but you should have the right qualifications for each position.

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Peditto echos this sentiment with the advice below:

"If you’re going to apply to a company multiple times, the jobs should be related. It may be worth calling out in the application why you've applied to multiple roles. Doing so isn't a bad thing, but if you're applying for a software developer role, a marketing manager position, and a product manager job, it can be hard to view the applications seriously because most people aren’t all those things."

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Maintain a positive online presence

Your digital footprint matters. You should align your online profiles with your resume to consistently present a professional image.

Avoid:

• Posting aggressive content
• Sharing confidential information about past employers
• Engaging in online arguments or unprofessional behavior

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How to get removed from a do-not-hire list

If you suspect you've been placed on a do-not-hire list, there are steps you can take to address the situation:

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Communicate with the employer: If possible, reach out to the company to understand why you weren't considered. Maintain a professional tone and approach the conversation as an opportunity for feedback and growth.

Get a recommendation: Do you know someone working at the same company? Internal recommendations can help overcome a do-not-hire status. But be mindful that the person depends on their job to make a living and may not be willing to risk employment for you.

Allow time to pass: Sometimes, the best strategy is to wait. Use this time to improve your skills, gain new experiences, build a stronger professional profile, and continue to apply elsewhere.

Move on: Sometimes, moving on is the best option. Not every company or position is the right fit, and focusing your energy on new opportunities can lead to better outcomes for both you and potential employers.

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Avoiding do-not-hire lists with Teal

Understanding do-not-hire lists and how to avoid them is crucial for a successful job search.

While Teal's AI Resume Builder can't monitor your behavior or force you to be honest, it can help you create a resume that accurately represents your skills and qualifications.

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With Teal, you can create a professional resume that:

• Includes the right sections and details
• Highlights your achievements with impact
• Accurately aligns with every job
• Is parsable by the ASTS
• Avoids common mistakes

Ready to get started?