What Recruiters/Employers Look for in a Resume
When applicants send resumes to different companies/recruiters, they spend many hours working on the perfect things to say. Still, on average, any selector spends even less than a minute glancing through each CV before deciding. To get noticed, applicants must come up with a CV that will give them an edge over all other candidates immediately.
HR managers and talent recruiters who have worked with numerous candidates over the years give some common tips that may seem obvious but can make a difference in helping a good CV stand out from the ordinary ones.
Learn how to make an impression in seconds with your CV.
How to make your resume more appealing to recruiters/employers
Content of the resume is, of course, the essential thing that will guide the employer’s decision about a candidate. Still, the resume’s formatting can play a vital role in creating an excellent first impression. In a scenario where a recruiter/employer is reading hundreds of resumes in a single day, a well-formatted and easy-to-read resume has a much higher chance of getting its proper content attention.
Ensure correct file format.
Always ensure that the file is in an easy-to-access format when you send your resume. No one will spend precious minutes downloading heavy files or waiting to install new software to read a resume. Most recruiters even have their preferred file format mentioned alongside other application guidelines. Another important trick to remember is to label the resume clearly with your name and, if possible, with the name of the position you are applying for. This makes it easier for the employer to locate the resume for the next steps in the recruitment process.
Make it easy to read.
The need to make a quick impression has already been emphasized. This requires making the format very efficient for the reader. Using bullet points, bold headers, and sub-heads makes it easier to skim through a resume and still find all relevant information. Instead of long, complete sentences, the focus should be on crisp, precise short phrases in easy language for each bullet point. Grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and inconsistencies in fonts and format should also be avoided. They give the resume a very shoddy feel and will not inspire confidence in the recruiter.
Use keywords.
Generally, when companies or recruiters advertise a vacancy and call for applicants, they have specific responsibilities and skills they are looking for in their candidates. A good way to connect with the employer immediately is to pepper some of these keywords throughout your resume to show that you are a good fit for the job. But of course, this should not be overdone, and candidates must remain truthful about their knowledge and experience.
How to market yourself well with the content of your resume
The primary task of the candidate is to let the employer/recruiter know they possess the exact skills that their employer is looking for. It isn’t easy to do this in just a few pages with some bullet points.
There are, however, some elements employers/recruiters look for in a resume, and these can be used as a framework to create your CV.
Education
Most job vacancies have a basic educational qualification, and your resume should clarify your educational background precisely without too many details.
Skill-set
Any recruiter/employer wants the candidate for a particular position to have certain specific skills to fulfill the requirements of that position. So make sure that you mention what kind of professional skills you have. Begin with skills relevant to the specific job vacancy, but mention your other allied skills, as these can help you stand out more.
Experience in terms of roles and responsibilities
Experience is one of the most important things that drive the recruiter/employer’s final decision about a candidate. So always ensure that your resume has a detailed description of all the roles you have taken on and the responsibilities you have held in your previous jobs. Maintain a chronological order to show your progress to date to set the tone for the kind of growth you will expect in the future. When mentioning your experience, make sure to highlight those responsibilities which are specifically mentioned in the employer’s job vacancy announcement.
Past results and achievements
It is very impressive for a recruiter/employer to see that a candidate has made a significant personal contribution to the success of the companies they have worked with. So, if you have been part of any major achievements of your past organizations, always mention it in your resume.
If your team had great results consistently, or if you could actively improve your organization’s operational workflow, make sure to mention those results. These will create a great first impression as every company is looking for a candidate that will not only do the bare minimum required for their position but also bring new ideas and provide great results for the company.
The formatting and content tips listed above are a good starting point to building a strong resume and getting your head in the door. But ultimately, the candidate needs to perform well in pre-employment assessments and interviews to get the job. So, research your company thoroughly and prepare well if you want your job hunting journey to be as smooth and as successful as possible.
