Heres Exactly What Hiring Managers Look for in a Resume

Heres Exactly What Hiring Managers Look for in a ResumeHeres Exactly What Hiring Managers Look for in a ResumeWriting or revising your resume can be a daunting undertaking. Before tackling this project, its important to understand what the person on the other end of your efforts the recruiter or hiring manager is really looking for. As a recruiter, I see thousands of resumes, fruchtwein of which miss the mark, says Rebecca Barnes-Hogg, a hiring mentor, recruiting strategist and human resources expert. Its heartbreaking to see talented people unable to get a job because they dont understand how to craft a resume that markets their skills and experience. But what exactly do recruiters and employers want to see? Are there certain points that, if missing from a resume, will likely result in a candidate not being selected for an vorstellungsgesprch? What do resumes of top candidates always contain? While some obvious advice comes to mind, like ensuring that your resume is error-free wh en it comes to spelling and grammar, there are some big-pictures issues to consider as well. Here is exactly what hiring managers want to find in your resume. Specifics about the job posting. Dont make the mistake of sending an identical resume to every employer. That will brand you as an amateur applicant. Instead, read the job description carefully and tailor your resume and your cover letter to address specific points that the job post requires. What I really need to know is what you have that I need and it should immediately jump out at me, Barnes-Hogg says. Highlight the skills and experience I asked for in my job posting. I have about 20 seconds to scan your resume and find the information I need. Dont make it hard. Relevant keywords. Todays job search takes place online as well as in person. Therefore, remember that those who make hiring decisions may never find your resume on job sites if you neglect to use the right keywords. Many recruiters are using online tools and searching for keywords to find candidates, says Kate Zabriskie, founder and president of Business Training Works, an onsite training provider. Put your recruiters hat on and ask yourself what you would type into your search engine if trying to fill the position for which you are applying. For example, a recruiter looking for a product development person with international experience might search for product development, international and negotiation. If your resume is missing those words, it would fruchtwein likely not rise to the top of the pile. Signs of motivation. The language you use in your resume can provide a window into your intentions and motivations about the job to which youre applying. Given the choice between someone who just wants a job and someone who specifically wants their job, most employers will choose the latter. I care deeply about motivational fit. Will they be motivated to do this job, in this company, at this time? says Rachel Bitte, chief people officer at Jobvite, a recruiting software company. Everyone can be enthusiastic, but will they be as motivated when theyve processed a new hires paperwork for the hundredth time? A common mistake job seekers make is not explaining their motivation behind the job at hand. Quantity of impact. When detailing your career accomplishments, avoid being vague. Use exact numbers, dollars and quantities whenever possible. Someone tells me they doubled the traffic to their website through marketing. I want to know, was it from 100 users to 200 users or from 1 million to 2 million? says Matt Verbin, CFO and hiring manager of e-commerce platform Tanga. Or they say they cut costs by doing X, Y and Z. Great, but what financial impact did that have? Hiring managers love seeing dollars and quantities of impact. A quick-hit professional summary. Since the name of the game is to get noticed by a recruiter or hiring manager, who often has only seconds to review your materials, it can help to include a professio nal summary or profile section at the top of your resume. This short section should highlight your unique strengths in either paragraph or bullet form. Resumes that receive the most attention include a professional summary, says Ellen Grealish, co-founder of FlexProfessionals, which matches companies looking for part-time employees with seasoned professionals seeking part-time work. While the traditional objective at the top of a resume tells the reader what you are looking for, make it about them. Grealish says. This is your opportunity to quickly sell yourself by calling out what you can bring to the role and why a hiring manager should read further.