How long do you think recruiters look at your resume? Seven minutes? Five? Two?
Recruiters spend on an average about 6 seconds before they make the initial “fit/no fit” decision.
That’s sad but true according to a study released by an online job search site. With the huge number of applications a job opening usually gets, it’s frustrating—but not much of a surprise so how do you stand out?
Shorten the resume to 2-3 pages The average recruiter can easily sift through hundreds of resume(s) a day, so they simply don’t have time to read anything too lengthy. Your document, therefore, needs to be short and sharp to get your message across quickly.
Your resume is like a piece of marketing material that advertises your services to potential employers. You need to ensure that it connects with its audience and tells your story without boring them.
Include your LinkedIn URL Each & every recruiter is looking up candidates on LinkedIn. Providing a LinkedIn URL allows them to easily click on the link and learn more about you and your skills and qualifications. They can also see endorsements and reviews from your colleagues, clients, and managers.
Make sure your LinkedIn has a profile image.
Accomplishments & Quantified results Don’t just say you increased your company’s sales—show how much you increased those sales with numbers, and “Use your resume to explain concrete accomplishments.
Use the Right Keywords Your resume keywords should include specific job requirements, including your skills, competencies, relevant credentials, and previous positions and employers. Essentially, keywords should be words that, at a glance, will show the recruiter that you are a good fit for the job.