Even the most qualified candidates with the strongest
qualifications sometimes get bypassed by recruiters when they
are looking to fill an open position. Why is this? Don't
recruiters want to interview and hire and the best of the best?
The answer to this question is, of course, yes! Recruiters are
reviewing the resumes of submitted candidates to determine which
individuals appear, on paper, to be a potential match for the
position. But considering that a recruiter may get dozens, if
not hundreds, of resumes for a single job opening, there is
little time to carefully dig through each individual resume to
see if a candidate has the "special something" the employer is
seeking.
As disappointing as this fact is for many job seekers, most
recruiters will decide the fate of your resume in less than 15
seconds. If a recruiter cannot match your qualifications to that
of the open position in that time frame, your resume is headed
to the "File for Future Reference" stack, otherwise known as the
Black Hole of Resumes. This means that you need to sell yourself
very quickly and capture the recruiter's attention from the
start.
So what do you need to do to stand out in the crowd? First off,
your resume needs to be results-oriented and concise, and
quickly summarize your qualifications for the target position.
Grab the reader's attention with strong selling points at the
very top of your resume on why your accomplishments, skills, and
experience match the position you are seeking. Doing research on
the company at which you are applying and the specific open
position will provide you with the information you need to
ensure you are focusing in on the right skill areas.
The next step is to demonstrate the value you will contribute to
the company. Recruiters are going to be looking for ways in
which you will you be an asset to the company. An easy way to
ensure that your resume gets a more through review is to
specifically address this topic in a summary of qualifications
at the top of your resume. Don't leave it up recruiter to deduce
how (and if) you will be an asset - tell them directly!
Finally, with so many incoming resumes for a single position,
recruiters are eager to reject and screen out individuals down
to a more manageable level. Any little mistake or error of
judgment may be enough to disqualify you before your
qualification summary is even reviewed.
To ensure that your resume is even more than just a cursory
glance, avoid the following top recruiter pet peeves:
Spelling errors and typos
Poor grammar / Failure to use proper English
Missing or inaccurate contact information
Missing or inaccurate dates of employment
Poor or distracting resume formatting
Use of unusual resume paper such as bright colors or patterned
paper. Scented paper is also a no-no.
Position accomplishments read more like a company-developed
formal job description than an outline of your skills, key
outcomes, and results. Recruiters don't want to know what your
employer says someone in your position should be doing - they
want to know what you actually do!
Long, tedious resumes - more than 1 page for new graduates or
inexperienced professional, more than 2-3 pages for experienced
professionals
Grossly unqualified candidates
And last, but not least:
Inclusion of personal information that is unrelated to the job.
Recruiters don't want to know about your family life, your
religion, your extracurricular activities, your weight and
height, or anything else that does not directly qualify you for
the position. Never attach your picture to your resume!
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