Crafting a resume that is appealing and competitive is not always easy. As an HR Director, I have read my fair share of resumes and know exactly what to look for when I sift through a stack of them. Throughout my years of experience, I have learned what a recruiter looks for during the first stage of the interview process.
The first thing to note is that the first screening is rarely performed by the hiring manager. It is often done by someone early in their career, such as an HR Assistant. It’s important to identify what it is he/she is looking for so that your resume gets passed on and not thrown away.
Below you can find a few tips that will help you optimize your resume and ensure it gets through the first screening.
Would someone out of your industry understand what you do?
Chances are the recruiter does not do what you do and never has before; therefore, it’s important that someone who’s not in your industry can look at your resume and understand what you do. Some roles have very industry-specific responsibilities which are hard to explain to those outside of the industry. If the recruiter doesn’t understand, then how are they supposed to explain it to the hiring manager?
Does your resume match the job description?
It’s essential to have keywords in your resume that match the job description. You should tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for so that the recruiter can see that you are a potential fit for the job. The recruiter will then pass your resume on to the person who will later confirm if you are a good fit or not. Don’t leave it up to the recruiter to determine whether your skills are applicable. Try to match your bulleted skills to those of the specific job description to eliminate the guess work.
Do you include the “who, what, where, why & when?”
Your previous work experience should be specific but simplified. The key points that the recruiter needs to know is where you worked, what you did, who you were (your title), and when you worked there. If your dates are jumpy, then you may want to include your reasons for leaving.
Is your resume appealing to the eye?
The format of your resume should be clean and functional. As much as you want it to look pretty and concise, it has to have the right information for the screener. Some things you can do to make it more appealing is bullet out your information, delete any unnecessary information (more info below), and prioritize the page, putting the most important information on top.
Do you have unnecessary information on your resume?
There is some information on a resume that is unnecessary. You don’t really need to state your objective because it is usually very obvious. If you do choose to include it, make sure it matches the job description. You can leave out extracurricular activities, unless it is something very interesting and may hook the reader. For example, you should mention if you were on a TV show or competed in the National Fencing Championships. Those details are great conversation starters. Your GPA can be advantageous to include, but only if it is over a 3.0.
Does your resume show off your expertise?
In other words, if you are applying for a creative position, have you included a link to an online portfolio? If you are applying for a sales position, does your phone message sound confident and professional? Recruiters may call and check to see if you mumble. If you are a younger candidate with less work experience, then list some projects you have done in the past.
One Step Closer
Getting through the first screening can be difficult, especially when you’re up against hundreds of other applicants with competitive resumes. How are you going to stand out?
It’s only a piece of paper that portrays you as a person and as a professional. Anything you can do to make your resume more enticing could bring you one step closer to meeting the hiring manager and getting that job.
Once your resume is accepted into the next round, you will get the chance to discuss your skills and qualities highlighted on your resume with the direct report for that position. This is the time to demonstrate your expertise to someone who is familiar with the details that are specific to your industry.