Career recruiters, like myself are key in helping businesses or companies find the right talent for any job opening. They must be quick and efficient in reviewing resumes, as time is of the essence, and any stray information they find in resumes can derail their timeline.
If you are applying for a new job, what information should be in a resume for it to be considered for the role? Down below are some of the things career recruiters look for in resumes so they pass the next step:
A Strong Professional Summary
As a recruiter, we don’t have much time to review every page of an applicant’s resume. However, having a professional career summary will make it easier to determine if the applicant understood the job listing and highlight the correct information about their qualifications. Ideally, the summary should also be two to three lines long and supported by the rest of the resume.
The Applicants’ Achievements
No matter what job opening they hope for, it is prudent to ensure these applicants can practice their specialisation and produce results. We will check if the applicant listed some of the projects they have done and any accomplishments these projects have received.
Right Keywords
Aside from achievements, the resume should have the right keywords, which indicate that the applicant has reviewed the job description thoroughly and has the information needed to determine their potential as an employee of the business or company. However, the number of keywords used should be balanced because it may affect the quality of the entire resume.
Colour
While black-and-white showcases a resume’s formal nature, it can still benefit from a splash of colour. Colour indicates the applicant’s brand and can make the resume more readable.
The Right Font
A resume should be eye-catching, and the font can help achieve this. Fonts such as Verdana, Bookman, Calibri, and Palatino are perfect because they are not only not dull to look at but also very easy to read.
Updated Links
Besides relying on a resume to assess applicants’ credentials, it must contain the latest links to the applicant’s email address, portfolio, primary website, and social media pages.
Sample Work Or Coursework
If you are a new graduate, you won’t be able to show you any experience or work-related achievements. But you can show samples from your coursework. It could be thesis, report, or project related to the position you are trying to apply for.
Grades
Grades can also indicate that the applicant has the skills to support their application. This is also necessary for a new graduate’s application and job openings requiring a minimum GPA.
The Right Length
Depending on the applicant’s experience, their resume should not be two or three pages long. One page is ideal for new graduates or those with limited work experience. Resumes do not need to have every detail about the applicant’s experience because you only need to see relevant experience for the position. A very long resume is also a sign that the resume is filled with fluff or the applicant is only stalling for time.
When you read a resume, the front page must be engaging enough to entice you to review the rest of the application.
Relevant Personal Experiences
In some resume styles, there is a section where the applicant is asked to summarise other things they want recruiters to know about their personality or why they should be considered for the position.
In this case, the answer should not be about the applicant’s interests or hobbies but rather personal experiences that make them unique. However, this mustn’t be detailed, but just enough to understand their personality.
As a career recruiter, I find the proper resume from the applications are most challenging, so be prepared to tailored your resume every job. Here are some more tips to help you land your dream job:
Do’s and Dont’s to Protect Your Privacy as a Job Hunter
8 Ways to Decide if a Job is a Good Fit for You
9 Ways to Boost Your LinkedIn Profile to Get That Job You Want
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