Anyone applying for a job in the current job market must be familiar with the art of writing an impactful resume. That is the key that gets you through the door and helps you book job interviews. Recruiters receive hundreds of resumes a day, and if you don’t figure out how to get your resume noticed, it might get lost in the crowd.
This guide will provide you with strategies guaranteed to take your CV to the next level and present yourself in the best light. Learn how to get your resume noticed by employers and take the first step to landing a dream job.
The Importance of Getting Your Resume Noticed
Studies have shown that, on average, recruiters spend 7.4 seconds looking over a single resume. That is not enough time, so yours must make the most impact at a glance. A well-crafted and properly formatted resume will easily capture the attention of hiring managers and prompt them to look deeper into your qualifications.
You may be the most qualified applicant of the bunch or have the most relevant work experience, but if your CV doesn’t reflect that in an eye-catching way, you might get overlooked. On the other hand, if a recruiter can find what they’re looking for just by skimming over your submission, you’ll get moved to the top of the pile and proceed to the next step of the recruitment process.
Understanding The Recruitment Process: How Do Employers And Recruiters Notice Resumes?
Understanding how employers and recruitment specialists evaluate potential candidates to compile the most effective resume is important. The hiring process consists of several stages:
- Job Posting – The company publishes an opening with a carefully worded job description, using relevant keywords to describe the skills they’re looking for.
- Initial Screening – HR reviews the received resumes and filters out only the most promising candidates. Those who don’t meet the minimum requirements get cut.
- Shortlisting – Once the preliminary selection is done, the list is shortened to the most promising candidates or those whose resumes show the most relevant experience.
- Interviews – If you’re part of the ones to get your resume noticed, you’ll be onto the next stage, where you’ll have to impress potential employers in person.
Arguably, the most important phase of this process is the screening of candidates. Up to 75% of recruiters use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to automate the recruitment process and filter out applications that don’t fit the job description. They scan for key phrases and words and rank the resumes that fulfill certain requirements. Getting past the ATS will guarantee your application will be reviewed by human eyes.
That’s why the best way to get your resume noticed is to customize it for specific job applications. Study the job posting and find a way to insert the language they used into your CV. Research the company and understand the requirements of the open position, then emphasize the experience and skills you bring to the table.
How to Write a Resume That Gets Noticed
When creating an impactful resume, you must pay attention to the format, content, and language you use. Every single one of these aspects impacts your success rate, so choose carefully.
The three main CV formats you can use are:
| Format | Recommended for | Effectiveness |
| Chronological | Applicants with a rich work history who want to present it in a reverse chronological order | Easy to read and understand at a glance |
| Functional | Applicants with gaps in their work history who want to emphasize their professional skills | It must be well formatted to have the most impact |
| Combination | Applicants who want to highlight their experience and skills | Can be time-consuming to summarize, but it’s very effective |
Wondering how to get your CV noticed by any recruiter? It means including a strong summary or professional objective briefly outlining your key qualifications and strengths. At the same time, it should state your career goals that align with the company’s ethos.
Include a separate skill section to list relevant technical, soft, and language skills that fulfill the job requirements. Include any accomplishments that add value to your application and quantify your contributions at previous positions or projects. Use the correct vocabulary to achieve maximum impact. Stay clear of overused descriptors like hardworking, qualified, or proactive. Instead, opt for more punchy and dynamic verbs like:
- Focused
- Streamlined
- Visionary
- Collaborative
- Meticulous
- Perceptive
Best Ways to Get Your Resume Noticed
If you’re looking for a job and have wondered, “How do I get my resume noticed?” here are a few strategies that guarantee success.
Showcasing Achievements and Quantifiable Results
Demonstrate tangible contributions and the real impact you had in previous roles. Steer clear of general statements like “improved customer satisfaction.” Instead, quantify your achievements with metrics like “boosted customer satisfaction to 90% in six months.”
Customizing Your Resume for Each Job Application
Avoid sending out a generic-sounding resume, and tailor it to highlight the specific expertise and experience each employer is searching for. Incorporate the wording and phrases used in the job ad.
Formatting and Design Tips
Keep your CV clean and uncluttered by omitting unnecessary sections. Only include relevant information, and use bullet points to make it clear and concise. Choose a professional-looking font size and style and include some white space to facilitate readability.
Showcasing Professional Development and Continuous Learning
List all applicable certificates, training, and courses, demonstrating your dedication to continued growth and willingness to learn new skills.
Leveraging Online Platforms and Networks
Create a strong online presence by updating your LinkedIn profile, posting engaging content, and listing your accomplishments and career milestones. Network with other professionals in your field and build connections.
Common Reasons Why Resumes Don’t Get Noticed
If you’re actively applying to jobs without any results, you might ask, “Why is my resume not getting noticed?”. There are several reasons – overeager job seekers try to cram as much information as possible, making the page look crowded and hard to skim. Others use unconventional CV formats to stand out, but those are hard for the ATS to scan over properly. Some fail to include the target phrases the company is looking for.
Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Get Your Resume Noticed
Other common missteps that will get a resume noticed for the wrong reasons:
- Spelling and grammatical errors – Typos, misspellings, or unclear sentences make you seem unprofessional and careless, with no consideration for finer details.
- Generic content – A resume created as a one-size-fits-all is easy to spot and easier to dismiss.
- Lack of action verbs – Overused words and phrases make your resume seem bland and unexciting.
- Unprofessional formatting – A visually unappealing or inappropriately formatted resume makes a bad first impression and makes you seem uninterested.
Useful Tools and Platforms To Get Your Resume Noticed
By reading this article, you should be armed with the knowledge to compile an effective and dynamic resume that shows off your expertise. But, if you’re still unsure how to get a resume noticed by recruiters, there are many helpful tools and platforms available to help get you started, such as:
This networking platform has an integrated feature that allows you to build your CV on-site, attach it directly to work applications, or export it as a .pdf format. While this is a convenient option, it makes it harder to customize your resume.
The Muse
The Muse is a job-seeking site that offers advice and coaching sessions for those who need resume reviews or want to write the perfect resume themselves. Choose a service and consult your mentor in person to get the best resume-writing advice.
ResumeWriting.net
Writing the perfect CV can be intimidating if you don’t know the proper way to do it. ResumeWriting.com offers helpful tips, outlines, and samples that can help you compose different types of resumes.
Resume.com
If you’re looking for ready-made templates that you can populate with your data, it might be worth looking into Resume.com. They offer pre-formatted documents that you need to fill in.
Final Thoughts on How to Get Your Resume Noticed
A carefully crafted CV is a powerful weapon that gives you a competitive edge in the job-seekers market. The main resume objective is to represent you in the best possible light and highlight the skills and experience you can offer prospective employers.
Tailor this document to fit individual companies, use action words and tangible metrics, and choose an appropriate format. These tips and tricks will help you shine brighter than the competition and make a strong first impression.
FAQ
How long should my resume be?
The length depends on the job position and your years of experience. For entry- and mid-level jobs, keep the length at one-page max, while for a senior-level position, two pages are appropriate.
How specific should my resume be?
Match your CV to the company you’re applying to. Showcase the main points they’re looking for and omit experiences that don’t add value to that specific work position.
What if I have gaps in my work history?
There are other ways to get your resume noticed as well. Choose a format that focuses on your technical skills and professional achievements, and include additional training you’ve participated in and certifications you’ve earned.
