Things Recruiters and Hiring Managers Wish You Knew

Landing your dream job requires a lot more than just writing a resume that meets all the qualifications. It's about anticipating what hiring managers and recruiters value on a resume and tailoring your approach to align with their expectations. As a job seeker, you may feel that the hiring process is sometimes mysterious. However, there are clear patterns in what employers look for on a resume and what they wish candidates would stop doing.

Today, our career experts have come together to give you an in-depth look at what recruiters and hiring managers wish every job seeker knew.

Your resume is the first impression, so make it count

Your resume is the only ticket you have to get to the interview stage, so it needs to deliver a good first impression about you within just a few seconds. Hiring managers receive more than 100 applications for a single position. Therefore, they skim resumes within a few seconds to identify top candidates who fit their criteria. So, what do they look for in a resume? Usually, they look for a clear, structured format, relevant keywords, and professional achievements. If your resume is cluttered, vague, and irrelevant to the job, it is very likely to be passed over, no matter how qualified you are.

You must tailor your job application

Hiring managers can spot a generic job application from a mile away. If you use the same resume and cover letter to apply for every job that you see online, it will show hiring managers that you are putting in less effort than other job seekers. A generic application does not convey that you have genuine interest in the company or the position. Hiring managers like to feel that you have taken the time to understand their unique needs and address them through your resume. You can tailor your job application by dedicating some time to research the company's mission, value, and culture. Then, you can highlight specific skills and experiences that align with the job description on your resume. When writing your cover letter, you can use personalized language and address the hiring manager by name.

Soft skills are not less important

While the job description may prioritize technical skills or soft skills, you cannot entirely overlook them when writing your resume. Technical skills are only part of the equation. Recruiters also scan your resume for the necessary soft skills to determine how well you will fit in with their team. Soft skills indicate how you can contribute toward the company culture. And most of the time, soft skills are transferable skills. Which means you can use them on your resume even if you're shifting your careers. You can showcase soft skills on your resume through a dedicated skills section. Also, you can use your soft skills to show how you have achieved concrete results for previous employers within the career history. Another place in which you can emphasize soft skills is the resume summary.

Get yourself ready for the Applicant Tracking Systems

Most mid-and-large scale employers in the US use ATS software to screen resumes before a human even sees them. These systems are used to sort through and filter applications based through keywords and relevance. If your resume is poorly optimized toward the position for which you are applying, it might not be seen by a hiring manager. So, how do you optimize your resume for the ATS? You can use plain formatting by sticking to standard fonts, clear section headings, and a simple layout. You should also incorporate job specific keywords by scanning the job description and identifying what the employer wants. Another important thing is to avoid complex design elements such as graphics, tables, and images that can confuse the ATS software.

Employers want to see how passionate and enthusiastic you are

Do you write bland cover letters that are just a repetition of your resume? Then, this tip is just for you. Hiring managers and employers want to see that you are passionate and enthusiastic about working for them. If your resume and cover letter do not convey how passionate you are about the role, then you become just another name on paper. Hiring managers take your enthusiasm as a sign that you will bring good energy and dedication to the role. You can convey enthusiasm by crafting a personalized cover letter that explains why the company and role excite you. When writing your resume, you can reference specific projects or experiences that resonate with your professional goals. When attending an interview, you can show genuine interest in the company by asking thoughtful questions about the business.

Curate your online presence

Are you one of the job seekers who would never pay attention to their LinkedIn profile? Then, you might not fare so well in the modern job market. Hiring managers definitely check you out online before they decide to invite you for an interview. Since you're applying for a job in the digital age, it is customary for you to pay attention to your LinkedIn profile before sending in job applications. If your online presence is unprofessional or inconsistent with your resume, you might have trouble snagging an interview. Ensure that your online presence does not raise red flags for employers. You can update your LinkedIn profile by adding a professional photo and filling in all the sections with the necessary information. Audit your other social media accounts to set the privacy settings such that the public cannot see the content that you have posted.

Career Advice