How recruiters read your resume (by a former recruiter)

On Today’s Menu

• How recruiters read your resume (by a former recruiter)

• If you’re WFH, your employer is probably tracking you

Estimated read time: 6 minutes

Join our Reddit community!

Join r/finaldraftresumes to get access to important job search resources and get feedback on your career-related questions.

Join the #opentowork list

If you’re looking for work and want to be contacted by recruiters, add your information by filling out a short form. The database will be distributed to in-house and agency recruiters globally!

If you’re a recruiter and would like access to the list, email me at [email protected]!

How a recruiter reads your resume (by a former recruiter)

The job market in 2023 is ultra competitive. There are less jobs and more applicants (see the screenshot below taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

So understanding how recruiters like me read your resume could give you the edge you need in this ultra-competitive job market. To help with that, here’s a real quick breakdown of how I view each section of your resume.

The Initial Screening

The Six-Second Rule

Let's get real: When I was at AECOM, I had to sift through thousands of resumes, often on tight deadlines. While each recruiter is different, you really only have a short window of time to get your point across. At the screening stage where we’re filtering out dozens of applicants, that window can be pretty short (maybe not 6 seconds short, but not long either).

So, what am I looking for in those quick moments? At a glance, I'm zoning in on your most recent job title, the companies you've worked for, and the overall cleanliness of your resume layout. These factors help me quickly gauge if you're worth a closer look. No pressure, right?

Automation and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Before your resume even lands in my (or any other human’s) hands, it's often scanned by a computer—specifically, an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). It’s like the first gatekeeper in a medieval castle, deciding who gets to cross the moat. Your mission is to make sure your resume is ATS-friendly.

Use standard section headers like "Work Experience," "Skills," and "Education," and stick to commonly accepted file formats like PDF or DOCX. Also, sprinkle in keywords that align with the job description—just don't go overboard or it might look like you're "keyword stuffing," which can also flag you in a negative way.

The Detailed Review

Structure and Formatting

Once you pass the ATS and the six-second rule, I dive in a bit deeper. Now, I want to see a clean, easy-to-read layout.

I have a soft spot for chronological resumes because they show your work history clearly. While some people opt to use functional or hybrid resumes, I personally don’t recommend them.

Contact Information

You'd be surprised how many people mess this up. Make sure your contact info is current and professionally appropriate (Sorry, "[email protected]" won't cut it).

Summary

Ah, the classic debate: To include a summary or not? My two cents? It depends.

If you can write a compelling one-liner that aligns perfectly with the job, go for it. Otherwise, skip it. I’d rather you use the space to show off more of your achievements.

Work Experience

Here's where the rubber meets the road. I'm interested in what you’ve achieved, not just what you’ve done. Use strong action verbs and, if possible, quantify your achievements.

Instead of saying “Managed a team,” say “Managed a team of 10 and increased productivity by 20%.” Numbers catch my eye!

Skills Section

Remember, I've already read a ton of resumes that say "excellent communication skills." Be specific and concrete. If you know SQL, say it. If you're bilingual, flaunt it.

Education and Certifications

New grads, this should come towards the top of your resume. The rest of you seasoned pros, keep it towards the end. Either way, if you've got any certifications that are relevant to the job, make them easy for me to find.

Red Flags 🚩

Alright, let's get to the red flags. Typos and grammatical errors are an instant no-no. They tell me you lack attention to detail.

Employment gaps aren't the end of the world, but they will raise questions. If you can, use your cover letter to give me the story behind them.

Making The Cut

The Shortlist

After all of this, I create a shortlist. These are the lucky folks who will advance to the screening/interview stage. What gets you on the list? The right combination of relevance, experience, and skills.

The Rejection Process

Don't lose hope if you don't make the cut though. It's not necessarily a comment on your worth or skills, but perhaps a reflection of the insane competition out there.

You can always reach out for feedback (politely, please!). You never know, you might get some insights that will make you a shoo-in for the next job. However, don’t be surprised if you don’t hear back - most recruiting teams these days are understaffed and overworked.

Companies that monitor the productivity of their WFH staff - what you need to know

A recent article over at Business Insider indicates that more and more companies are using tracking software like Time Doctor to monitor the productivity and activity of their staff.

Some managers, like the one below, have even fired staff for failing to maintain a minimum number of keystrokes per hour over a period of time.

According to Time Doctor, the company that makes this software, it isn’t limited to work-from-home staff either. Companies use this for onsite and hybrid staff as well.

So how can you thrive in an environment where you're being monitored?

Communication: Open dialogue with your managers about how performance is measured and what the expectations are.

Transparency: If you're going to step away or work on a project that might not be easily measurable, just say so. Transparency can often alleviate concerns.

Time Management: Use the Pomodoro Technique or other time management methods to schedule breaks and keep yourself productive without burning out.

What If You're Uncomfortable?

If you find the monitoring intrusive or believe it's affecting your mental well-being, it might be time to have a candid conversation with your HR department or consider looking for a company whose culture aligns better with your work style.

Access the full Insider article here.

Question from a job seeker: If single-column resumes with similar formats are generally regarded as required, what is the best way to stand out resume-wise (assuming the resume has been tailored for the position)?

The short answer is through strong, well-written, and tailored content. As an example, a curated summary can go a long way (although this is one section that a lot of people struggle with).

Some design elements, like shaded section headers or bold text, can also help draw your reader’s attention to certain bits of information. However, don’t rely on design alone to win over your audience.

About the Author

I’m James, Cofounder of Final Draft Resumes. I’ve been in the career consulting space for 13 years, and before that, I was a recruiter for AECOM.

I’ve helped thousands of job seekers, from industries like software engineering, IT, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and more generate job opportunities through well-written resumes that translate unique backgrounds into coherent narratives.

If you’re struggling with your resume for whatever reason, reach out - I just might be able to help!

If you’re more of a DIY person, then check out Resumatic, my free-to-try resume builder.