Think Like A Recruiter

Photo credit: seatbelt67 / CC BY 2.0

If you’re serious about getting your resume noticed, you have to think like the person who’s responsible for sorting through the piles of resumes. That person is typically a recruiter. He or she might be a part of the company to which you’re applying (an internal recruiter or human resources representative) or a part of an outside recruiting company that has been hired by your prospective employer (an external recruiter). Occasionally, the person sorting through the resumes might be the hiring manager – and your prospective new boss – or a member of his/her support staff.

In any circumstance, it helps to know the process that person is using to evaluate the piles of resumes. That way, you can make sure yours stands out. No matter who is doing the sorting, there are a few common techniques used across the board.

According to a 2009 CareerBuilder.com survey, 38 percent of human resource managers say they spend one to two minutes reviewing a new application, while seventeen percent spend less than one minute. So, generally speaking, you have to make a good impression at a glance. You have to provide enough information to pique their interest without overwhelming them with details.

To do this effectively, it helps to be aware of how recruiters review resumes and sort “the good” from “the bad” and “the ugly”.

Keyword Search

Currently, almost all large enterprises make use of Applicant Tracking software for their recruitment drives, while over 50% of small to medium companies make use of this technique too. This software allows companies to manage the hiring process in one central location. So, when a job opening is posted to the public and resumes begin pouring in, the software collects them in a virtual pile. Rather than physically scanning each resume, the recruiter is able to sort through them using keyword search. While this is much more efficient for the recruiter, it means that an applicant who hasn’t created a keyword-rich resume won’t even get that one- to two-minute review.

Many recruiters also use keyword search to locate qualified candidates from online resume databases (like Monster and Career Builder, for example). Whether a recruiter is using Applicant Tracking software internally or accessing an external database, the same keyword search techniques apply. And according to the Resume Writers’ Association, about 80 percent of resumes are searched for job-specific keywords. So, it’s very likely that, before a human being ever views your resume, a computer has already scanned and dissected it to evaluate your potential suitability for the position.

Understanding how keywords work will have a significant impact on your job search success. Learn more about the purpose of keywords and how to incorporate them in effectively in your resume here. Then, access our keyword database to find the most popular keywords for the position you are seeking.

The 1-Minute Scan

Effectively using keywords will help your resume rise to the top of the virtual pile. But once it’s in the hands of real live person, you only have a matter of seconds to convince them that you’re a qualified candidate. How do you do that?

• Make Your Resume Scannable — Use bullet points, line breaks and clean formatting to ease the review process. Avoid lengthy paragraphs of text, which can quickly lose the reader’s interest.
• Keep It Relevant — Remove unnecessary clutter that doesn’t provide added benefit. There’s no need to list details for EVERY job you’ve ever had. Account for all periods of time but focus more attention on the roles that best demonstrate your credentials.
• Avoid Job Descriptions — Use your space effectively by focusing on accomplishments rather than duties.
• Mimic the Job Posting — Use similar language to that which was used in the posting for the position. This will show the recruiter that you’re familiar with the same terminology.
• Avoid Clichés — These over-used terms are considered meaningless by most and are easily overlooked. They are a waste of precious space and suggest a lack of substance. Examples of clichés include: go getter, climbing the corporate ladder, out of the box, etc. Use this cliché finder to help you find and remove hidden clichés in your resume.