The job market is competitive, and there are a lot of talented people who will be competing for the same positions. Most companies can afford to be very selective in who they hire. So, what do managers want to see when looking for the perfect candidate?
In this article, we’ll explore key areas that managers focus on when thinking about hiring you. When you have a resume that shows that you have the qualities that managers want to see in a candidate, it will go a long way in helping you get noticed and land your dream job.
What Hiring Managers Don’t Want to See
While your job history is important, there are some other key areas that hiring managers want to see when scanning your resume. First, you should know that hiring managers tend to scan resumes very quickly, and if there are enough applicants, you could easily end up discarded within seconds if you aren’t immediately standing out.
There are a few crucial mistakes job seekers make when writing their resumes, especially if you’re unfamiliar with how to write a highly optimized resume that targets the specific job you’re applying for. In which case, it’d be helpful to learn how to write a resume with no experience.
With that said, here are some of the mistakes people tend to make on their resumes:
Assume that a hiring manager is very quickly scanning your resume, picking out details in the blink of an eye. They aren’t stopping to read your blocks of text, they’re screening your resume for the exact information they want and moving on to the next resume within 5 – 10 seconds if they don’t immediately like your resume.
Keep it short
The first thing you can do to address this is to use short, punctual sentences, just like you would when writing an email. As for the rest of the content, the emphasis should be on the most critical points. There’s no point in writing a 500-word resume if you aren’t including what matters most.
Use professional font and color
Use a professional font in black color, set in normal or print sizes. Do not use decorative script fonts in pastel colors, unless you’re applying for a cutesy cupcake bakery. It makes your resume look amateur and unprofessional, which is why hiring managers will quickly ignore it.
Don’t list generic tasks
You should also avoid copy-pasting your previous job descriptions, especially generic lists of tasks you performed. Most hiring managers will already be familiar with the tasks assigned to specific job roles. Instead, you should focus on the key highlights of your previous jobs, and highlight the specific achievements that make you stand out from the crowd.
Here are some other tips for writing a well-optimized resume that stands out from the pool of applicants:
Tailor your resume specifically to the job you’re applying for.
While it’s a bit of extra effort, you should ideally be crafting a unique resume for each company and position you’re applying for. Carefully consider the values of the company, and the job description – then tailor your resume to fit these two things.
Find out as much as you can about the role you’re applying for, and what the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate.
Ask yourself if you’re perfect for the role. While it’s great to talk about your strengths and accomplishments, it’s even better to explain how your skills and experience align with the job requirements, and why you would be the perfect candidate for the role.
Consider hiring a professional resume writer
If you aren’t a wordsmith, writing a truly compelling resume can be an exercise in frustration. You should instead consider hiring a professional resume writer to help you craft a resume that’s packed with valuable details, and highlights your relevant skills and achievements.
A professional resume writer can help you polish your resume and make it stand out from the crowd, by addressing any errors and making your resume much more persuasive.
The service cost will largely depend on the type of resume being written, as well as the formatting requirements of the company. There are a lot of professional resume writers on the market, and most of them charge based on how many pages the resume is. If you’re aiming for an intermediate job role, you might expect to pay around $200 -$300, but it’s certainly well worth it.
Conclusion
Resume writing is an essential skill, and the effectiveness of your resume is often determined by its content. Spend some time thinking about the core elements of your resume, and how they will be received by your potential future employers. Stick to the most pertinent details, and consider creating a unique resume that stands out from the crowd.
