You’ve done your homework, customized your resume for various job descriptions and included ATS-friendly keywords, but you still aren’t getting any interviews. What’s the problem?
Even if your resume makes it out of the database and onto someone’s desk, you must impress the hiring manager to move to the next round. Here are four (fixable) reasons a recruiter might put your application in the NO pile.
It Gives a Poor First Impression
Hiring managers are busy people who may sort through hundreds of resumes each day. Therefore, small mistakes can make a big difference as they are a fast and simple way to eliminate an applicant at a glance. Problems to watch out for include:
- Obvious spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or typos
- An unprofessional or outdated email address such as hotstuff@aol.com
- A sloppy or over styled layout
- A lack of consistency in formatting (multiple fonts) and/or language (verb tense)
- Hyperlinks that don’t work
It’s Difficult to Read
A recent study found recruiters spend an average of six seconds reviewing a resume. If your resume is too long, too wordy or too hard to scan quickly because of layout or formatting, you’ve already lost them. Create your application with the hiring manager in mind. Keep your document to one page (two at most), place the most valuable information at the top and use bullet points or short sentences to capture their attention.
There Is Nothing Noteworthy
A generic resume filled with buzzwords and meaningless phrases such as “Good team player” won’t impress a hiring manager. It looks just like everyone else’s. Boring. Help your application stand out from the crowd by telling a story with specific examples. “Collaborated on a team of 10 to improve customer satisfaction ratings by 34% in three months,” sounds more interesting while also proving proof of your teamwork skills. And, if the recruiter wants to ask additional questions about this experience, you just landed an interview.
You Have Unexplained Employment Gaps
A break in your employment history automatically raises a red flag and may land your application in the trash. Although this practice is unfair and unfortunate, it happens. If you have an employment gap, consider the following solutions. 1) Write a functional versus a chronological resume. Organizing experience by relevance rather than by time makes gaps less noticeable. 2) Explain the reasons for your break in employment in your cover letter. People take time off for a variety of situations that are noble or beyond their control. Great companies and great recruiters understand these circumstances. 3) Include other experiences, such as starting your own business, freelancing or volunteer work, in place of the employment gap. This shows your commitment to your career and your community even if you weren’t reporting to a traditional day job.
Do You Need More Help With Your Employment Search?
Looking for work isn’t easy. That’s why the job placement experts at Aventure Staffing are here for you. We’ll evaluate your skills and create an individualized list of job opportunities. Submit your resume and start your new career today!