Prospective employers (a human being – a recruiter, a hiring manager) will look at a resume for around 10-15 seconds before an impression is created in their mind. In addition, there are typically hundreds (or more) resumes for an opening; add this to the 15 seconds and you see how hard it is for your resume to be placed on a shortlist.
So how do you attract the attention of the reader?
The obvious solution for positive results is that you have matched to their requirements and that the reader is able to recognize that from your resume very easily. But there may be simple reasons for an outright rejection - it gets tossed out without a careful review — read on to see what top-level recruiters state is how candidates blow their chance to get a foot in the door:
Resume Layout
You must organize and arrange your resume in such a way so the reader will see what they are looking for quickly. Make sure there is plenty of white space. The length of your resume should be no more than two pages.
Overwritten or Too Little Information
Too much information in lengthy paragraphs makes it hard for the reader to find the relevant information. And not providing all the relevant details of your qualifications, career history and other experiences will leave the reader without anything to determine your suitability for the job. Tip: check the job requirements for the job, then include relevant and appropriate information from your skill set.
Does Not Demonstrate Results / Achievements
Your resume is your personal marketing tool. If you do not demonstrate past results and achievements to prove to the employer that they should employ, then your resume has failed. You must clearly state that you are suited for the job and then present evidence for that suitability. Olaf Weckesser, a former recruiter for McKinsey & Co. says “Phrases like ‘Managed a budget of $500,000’ or ‘Led a team of two’ might catch my eye in a bad way,” so its better to write: “Managed company’s largest budget.
Spelling Mistakes, Typos and Poor Grammar
You should always get somebody else to read your resume for grammatical errors; no matter how hard you look and check over your work, there always seems to be something that you have missed. Spelling mistakes, typos and poor grammar can make you appear unprofessional and as someone who is careless.
Non Formality
Don’t succumb to the informality of email. “If you send a cover letter by email that starts with ‘Hi,’ it and your resume will probably end up in the trash,” says Cynthia Shore, an assistant dean at the University at Buffalo School of Management and former director of its career-resource center. Treat an email as you would a proper letter: Instead of “Hi,” write “Dear Mr. Case.” Instead of “Thanks,” conclude with “Sincerely.”
Overused Keywords
It’s true that recruiters sometimes use scanners to sort through resumes looking for certain keywords. But resumes appear contrived when candidates consciously try to include them. Since fewer than 25 percent of all recruiters even use scanners, note that a human will be reading your resume. So adding more keywords is a misguided strategy.
Revealing Personal Data
“If you mention your age, we have to trash your resume,” says Jeremy Eskenazi, vice president of talent acquisition at Idealab!, the California incubator firm. Since it’s illegal for a company to solicit a candidate’s age, race, or marital status during the hiring process, firms have adopted a “don’t tell” policy to avoid potential bias suits. Many won’t risk even having it handed to them.
It Looks Too Fancy
“A recruiter who receives resumes in pretty plastic folders will likely toss them,” says Dave Opton, CEO and founder of ExecuNet, an online executive recruiting service. “I don’t have time to take the damn things apart.” Another faux pas: Folding a resume so that it fits into a standard business envelope. Heavy-stock paper that retains its crease can be a nuisance. Says Opton: “They’re easier to store and photocopy if they’re flat.” Also, don’t try to differentiate your resume with boxes or ornate lettering.
When recruiters see a resume that’s designed differently, they think the person’s trying to hide something. Instead, focus on content. Your resume will rise to the top of the pile.