Resume Reviews: Top 5 Elements Recruiters Focus On in the First 10 Seconds

Throughout my extensive career as a recruiter, I've seen more resumes and LinkedIn profiles than I can count. Typically, a recruiter or hiring manager will spend about 10 seconds reviewing a resume.

If you're embarking on a career transition and on a quest for your dream job, it's imperative to put your best food forward with a stellar resume and LinkedIn profile that truly stand out. Taking the time to elevate and invest in your personal brand is a worthwhile investment.

Think of your resume as an ever changing document that reflects past experience but also a blueprint for what you are hoping to manifest in your future career.

By taking the time to create this document thoughtfully and strategically, you will be armed with one of the best tools to initiate meaningful conversations.

When I review resumes from potential candidates, my approach involves a swift 'first impression' scan, by looking at these key factors:

1. Neatness and Clarity: Your resume should exude modern visual appeal, free of typos, and present information in a digestible manner.

2. Objective and Flow: I assess the objective and the overall flow of your resume to gauge its coherence and alignment.

3. Time Allocation: A quick scan of time spent at each company, assessing skills that align with the desired role I'm looking to fill.

4. Keywords: When looking for a job that has specific skills or requirements, make sure your resume includes those words.

5. Skills & Tools: A great way to showcase what sets you apart at a quick glance. An example of skills might be brand strategy, survey design, or qualitative research. An example of tools might be Kantar, Mintel, or Google Suite.

In addition to the 5 items above, I also look at job tenure briefly during a resume review. However, I delve deeper into reasons for transitions during the interview process.

Crafting a resume you're proud to submit sets the stage for engaging conversations with recruiters and hiring leads. Your resume is your ticket to the first call which could lead to your dream job opportunity.

Remember, your resume isn't just a summary of your past; it's a map guiding you towards your future aspirations. With careful consideration and a touch of strategic finesse, you'll be well on your way to impressing employers and standing out in your job search journey.

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