Blogs / What Recruiters Look for in a Resume: Insider Tips to Get Noticed
What Recruiters Look for in a Resume: Insider Tips to Get Noticed
Admin / February 10, 2025
What Recruiters Look for in a Resume: Insider Tips to Get Noticed
📌 Where Opportunity Meets Recognition – Through Meritable Empowerment
Recruiters spend an average of 6-7 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to move forward. With AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) and high competition, standing out requires more than just listing experience. But what exactly do recruiters look for?
Whether you're a job seeker or looking to refresh your professional brand, this guide covers key elements that recruiters prioritize, how to optimize your resume, and why meritable empowerment matters.
1. A Strong, Clear, and Concise Layout
First impressions matter! Recruiters are drawn to well-structured, easy-to-read resumes with:
✅ Clear headers and sections
✅ Consistent formatting and fonts
✅ Bullet points (not long paragraphs)
✅ A strong professional summary
✅ Clear headers and sections
✅ Consistent formatting and fonts
✅ Bullet points (not long paragraphs)
✅ A strong professional summary
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your resume to 1-2 pages and avoid excessive design elements that may confuse ATS software.
2. ATS-Friendly Formatting
Many companies use AI-powered ATS to filter resumes before a human sees them. To increase your chances, follow these rules:
✅ Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
✅ Avoid images, tables, and graphics
✅ Use relevant industry keywords (Check the job description!)
✅ Save as a Word or PDF file
✅ Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
✅ Avoid images, tables, and graphics
✅ Use relevant industry keywords (Check the job description!)
✅ Save as a Word or PDF file
3. Tailored Content: One Size Does Not Fit All
Recruiters can tell when you've sent a generic resume. Customizing for each job application improves your chances by 75%.
🎯 What to Include:
✅ Match job descriptions with relevant skills & achievements
✅ Use quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased sales by 30% in 6 months”)
✅ Highlight soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and adaptability
✅ Match job descriptions with relevant skills & achievements
✅ Use quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased sales by 30% in 6 months”)
✅ Highlight soft skills like leadership, teamwork, and adaptability
4. Keywords Matter More Than You Think
Most recruiters search by keywords when filtering resumes. Missing them means your resume may never be seen.
🔍 Example:
A Marketing Manager job might require: SEO, PPC, content strategy, analytics, social media marketing. If your resume lacks these terms, you won’t rank!
A Marketing Manager job might require: SEO, PPC, content strategy, analytics, social media marketing. If your resume lacks these terms, you won’t rank!
💡 Pro Tip: Use EIOD.AI to analyze job descriptions and optimize your resume accordingly.
5. Strong Work Experience & Achievements
Recruiters want to see:
✅ Job titles & timelines (Clear career progression)
✅ Impact-driven achievements (Not just responsibilities)
✅ Action verbs (Managed, Developed, Increased, Led, Optimized)
✅ Job titles & timelines (Clear career progression)
✅ Impact-driven achievements (Not just responsibilities)
✅ Action verbs (Managed, Developed, Increased, Led, Optimized)
❌ Avoid:
- Listing irrelevant jobs
- Using outdated skills
- Generic phrases like "responsible for..."
6. A Powerful Personal Branding Statement
Your summary section is prime real estate. Make it count!
Weak:“Hardworking professional seeking a challenging position.”
Strong:“Results-driven Sales Executive with 8+ years of experience boosting revenue by 50% through data-driven strategies.”
🔗 Build Your Personal Brand with EN.Community
7. Education & Certifications Matter (But Keep It Brief)
Recruiters scan for relevant education but don’t need excessive details. List:
🎓 Degree & Major (if relevant)
📜 Certifications (If applicable to the role)
🏆 Honors & Leadership Roles
🎓 Degree & Major (if relevant)
📜 Certifications (If applicable to the role)
🏆 Honors & Leadership Roles
💡 Pro Tip: If you have years of experience, move education to the bottom.
8. Soft Skills & Leadership Abilities
More than ever, recruiters value soft skills like:
✅ Communication
✅ Problem-solving
✅ Leadership
✅ Adaptability
✅ Collaboration
✅ Communication
✅ Problem-solving
✅ Leadership
✅ Adaptability
✅ Collaboration
🎯 Highlight these in your achievements rather than just listing them.
9. A Professional Online Presence
Recruiters Google candidates before making hiring decisions. Ensure your LinkedIn, portfolio, or personal website reflects your expertise.
💡 Optimize your LinkedIn:
✅ Professional photo & headline
✅ Well-written “About” section
✅ Endorsements & Recommendations
✅ Professional photo & headline
✅ Well-written “About” section
✅ Endorsements & Recommendations
10. No Red Flags (Typos, Gaps, Unexplained Job Hopping)
🚫 Spelling and grammar mistakes immediately disqualify candidates.
🚫 Long employment gaps without explanation raise concerns.
🚫 Job-hopping (too many roles in a short period) can be a red flag.
🚫 Long employment gaps without explanation raise concerns.
🚫 Job-hopping (too many roles in a short period) can be a red flag.
💡 Pro Tip: If you have gaps, address them in your cover letter.
Make Your Resume Work for You
Recruiters scan resumes fast, so make every word count. A well-optimized, keyword-rich, and results-driven resume will always stand out.
🔥 Want to increase your chances of getting hired?
📢 Join EN.Community today for career resources, AI-powered job search tools, and a network that values YOU.
📢 Join EN.Community today for career resources, AI-powered job search tools, and a network that values YOU.
📍 Where Opportunity Meets Recognition – Through Meritable Empowerment
Links To Sources
🔗EN.Community – Build Your Brand & Career
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Resume optimization tips, recruiter insights, ATS-friendly resumes, personal branding, job search success
👉 Follow EN.Community for more expert tips on career growth, networking, and job search success!
Resume optimization tips, recruiter insights, ATS-friendly resumes, personal branding, job search success
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