It all comes down to 6 seconds! You have only seconds to compel a recruiter to consider you as the lead candidate. Here’s a list of top reasons your resume might not be making it to the top of the pile:
Reason #1: The look and overall presentation isn’t sharp and easy to navigate. The layout needs to be crisp and clear. Make it easy for hiring managers to understand who you are, the expertise you bring and your solid track record of success. Another problem could be you are referring to: ‘duties were’, or ‘responsibilities were’ and noting generalist statements versus powerful achievement bullets (read more in Top Reason #4 below)
Reason #2: The Profile statement is wishy-washy, or missing altogether. A compelling Profile statement answers the questions: Tell me about yourself, and Why should I hire you? If the reader can’t determine what your core talents and abilities are, or your track record of success – you are missing a great opportunity to profile yourself. Read more: How to Create a Killer Resume Profile & Get Noticed.
Reason #3: Lacks relevance. You have seconds to direct the hiring manager to key statements about yourself and your accomplishments that are directly related to their needs. I ask my clients: ‘What’s this employer’s pain point?’, ‘What’s the critical issue impacting their organization that they want this role to address and resolve?’ Through industry research, networking and information interviewing – source their critical issues, then create a winning resume by demonstrating your success in resolving these issues.
Reason #4: You’ve only noted your Job Descriptions – versus creating bullets highlighting your results and outcomes gained. Drive their interest by demonstrating your reputation for getting things done whether that be by creating and driving a vision to transform an organization or business unit, leading complex projects, streamlining operations, creating efficiency, driving sales, or building high performance teams. Read more: How to Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile.
Reason #5: Lacks metrics. By quantifying your results, you gain the readers’ interest. There’s nothing more powerful than a resume rich with key accomplishments that showcase results through noting dollars, percentages and numbers. It starts with noting your operating budget through to the size of your team, followed by bullets recording your successes.
Reason #6: It’s not key word rich. Whether an applicant tracking system is reviewing your resume or the recruiter’s critical eye, if your resume isn’t key word rich it’s not optimizing your profile.
So how effective is your resume? Get your resume critiqued for free. With over 20 years of recruiting expertise, our Resume Writing experts, know what it takes to create a compelling, accomplishment-based resume that lands interviews. We know how to optimize your resume, so it grabs recruiters’ attention. We’ll do a comprehensive review and provide feedback and recommendations to help position yourself as a top candidate.
Connect with us today for the resume help you need to get your resume to the top of the pile.
Wishing you much career success!
Joanne Loberg
Certified Executive Coach & Internationally Certified Career Management Professional
JL Careers Inc
