5 Resume Hacks to Get Noticed in Under 7 Seconds

You applied for some 20 jobs last week but you are yet to hear from any of the recruiters. You may wonder what went wrong when all the jobs you applied for matched your skills. 

Let us tell you what might have gone wrong. Before your resume gets shortlisted for a interview, it has to pass through two big hurdles. 

The first one is an automated screening system (typically a software named applicant tracking system or ATS). The second one is a hurried cursory glance by your recruitment manager. 

75% of all resumes are never read by a human - the ATS simply redirects them to the trash. And the 1 in 4 resumes that do make it to a recruiter’s desk get an average of 7 seconds to impress! That’s equivalent to closing your eyes and taking two deep breaths. 

So, how do you ensure that a good resume, among a sea of documents, is getting noticed by recruiters? This post gives 5 resume hacks to get your resume noticed in under 7 seconds. 

Resume hack #1: Beat the bot 

An average job opening receives 250 resumes, so how do recruiters review resumes to shortlist candidates for an interview? 

It’s simple - they don't! 

They outsource this laborious task to an AI-based screening system. 97% of Fortune 500 companies use an automated tool like ATS to fast-track the screening process. 

These tools are designed to take a quick look at your resume, scroll through your skills and qualifications, and assign a score that reflects the degree to which your resume fits the job opening. 

Resumes below the threshold score are simply rejected. So, how do you ensure that your resume doesn’t automatically get thrown in the trash? 

The short answer is that you need to beat the bots (the intelligent screening tools) in their own games. Here are some tips on how to do that: 

1) Optimize keywords: ATS tools are essentially looking for the right keywords on your resume to know whether you match the skills and experience required for a particular job. So, how do you know which keywords to include? Look at the job description to identify words you can use. What specific skills does it require? Do you need any special certification? 

Use the right keywords matching the job description for better odds that your resume gets a green signal from the screening system. But make sure the keywords make sense and add value to what you’re saying - don’t just input random keywords.

2) Use a plain format: While elaborate designs appeal to human eyes, they may be counterproductive for AI tools. A simple layout makes it easier for AI systems to ‘read’ your resume and find the right keywords. 

3) Include commonly used headings and subheadings: Use conventionally utilized headings and subheadings like ‘Work Experience’ and ‘Educational Background’ instead of fancy terms like ‘Professional Trajectory’ and ‘Learning Journey’. Automated tools may misinterpret uncommon terms. 

4) Choose a universally accepted file format: Using unconventional file formats like ePub, instead of MS Word, for your resume is not a great idea to win over the bots. Settle for the tried and tested formats like Word docs or PDFs. 

5) Double-check grammar and spelling: Automated bots are better at spotting even the slightest grammatical errors, but even if bots miss it, 77% of recruiters see grammatical mistakes and typos as an instant dealbreaker. 

It is imperative to review and review your resume again. You can also use tools like Grammarly to find and correct all language issues. 

Resume hack #2: Leverage the F-pattern of eye-scanning 

Now that your resume has bypassed the automated screener, it’s time to impress a human recruiter. 

But don't think you’re in at this point. 

An eye-tracking study shows recruiters look at a resume for no more than 7 seconds to make a decision on whether to explore it further, which then can potentially lead to an interview.

Of course, 7 seconds is not enough to go through every word you have managed to stuff into 2 pages (which is the max length your resume should be). And here lies a trick to get your resume noticed.

Studies show that when people are hurriedly scanning a document, their eyes move on an F-pattern. This means the readers typically scan the first few lines at the top of and then read down vertically along the left side of a document. 

Image source: LinkedIn

Putting the most important information along the F-scanning route improves your chances of getting noticed by a recruiter who's bombarded with hundreds of resumes. 

Pro tip:  Align the section headings and most critical information first (for instance, key skills and experience) keeping the F-pattern in mind. 

Resume hack #3: Opt for a profile summary rather than a mission statement 

If you have been told that you must include a mission statement at the top of your resume, it’s time to ditch that old advice. It suited a time, back in the 1980s, when recruiters did not have to deal with thousands of resumes. 

Typical mission statements read something like this: "To utilize my technical expertise and problem-solving skills to develop robust and scalable software solutions that enhance user experience and drive business growth. I am dedicated to continuous learning and adopting cutting-edge technologies to stay at the forefront of the industry."

Read that again - It’s boring. And fluffy. And, it says nothing about what you bring to the table.

Plus, a mission statement wastes significant real estate at the very top of your resume, a crucial first section in the F-pattern. 

Instead, include a short profile summary or a short paragaph that summarizes your key skills and experience. This is where you should first mention your keywords, and keep it concise and accurate. Exaggerations or fluffy language will not help you.

Honestly, this section should probably take you longer to craft than the other sections because it’s harder to briefly summarize your entire history in a way that maximizes impact. 

Here’s an example of a profile summary that talks about what you did and how well you did it:

“A results-driven marketing expert with 10+ years of experience, managing budgets up to $2 million and increasing brand engagement by 40%. Skilled in executing campaigns that achieve 25% growth in customer acquisition and retention.”

Resume hack #4: Let the Numbers Do the Talking

Look at the following profile summary: 

Accomplished marketing professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, digital marketing, and brand development. Known for creating innovative campaigns that significantly enhance brand awareness and customer engagement.

Now compare it with the one we talked about in the last section:

“A results-driven marketing expert with 10+ years of experience, managing budgets up to $2 million and increasing brand engagement by 40%. Skilled in executing campaigns that have achieved 25% growth in customer acquisition and retention.”

Which one sounds more concrete and reliable? 

The second one, with some definite numbers - 10% of years of experience, 40% increase in brand engagement, and 25% growth in customer acquisition - is going to have a better impression on recruiters than fluff like “extensive experience” and “significantly enhance brand awareness.”  

Numbers quantify your experience and achievements. They stand and speak on their own. Plus, they stand out and get noticed more quickly when one is scanning a text document. Look at your resume and include numbers whenever it’s possible to measure output. 

So, next time you are tempted to write something like this: “In my past role, I increased customer engagement by a significant margin”, simply write, “I created an ad campaign that resulted in a 300% increase in customer engagement. 

(On that note, while you are in that role, be sure to document what you do so it’s easier to quantify it on your resume later.)

Resume hack #5: Tailor your resume to specific job descriptions

Each job is different. So why would you use the same resume for every job you apply for? 

Automated screeners shortlist candidates based on how much your resume matches the job description. Similarly, when human recruiters look into your resume, they are going to look at whether your skills and experience fit the role. 

Applying for new jobs is a hassle. Customizing your resume–particularly your profile summary–for each role adds to that - we know. Sigh. But trust me, my friend, it’s worth the pain considering how it improves your odds of getting shortlisted. 

So, next time you apply for a job, make some tweaks to your resume based on the job description. Pick some keywords from it and look at the skills and expertise they are looking for. Now, include some of these keywords or their synonyms in your resume and highlight similar skills/expertise. 

You might end up including or excluding specific past work experiences, projects, or skills based on how they fit with the job descriptions. The idea is that when a recruiter looks at your resume, it should look like your resume perfectly fits the job role. 

We recognize that there can be are several job barriers not mentioned here, especially when you are applying for your first job. But having an effective resume is one of the first key steps to getting closer to your first job (and additional positions after that). 

At uThrive, our mission is to empower young Americans to achieve their financial dreams. From job seeking to retirement planning, our comprehensive 6-module course is designed to address each aspect of financial freedom. Check out the course today!