To understand the hiring process thoroughly, we conducted a resume test by consulting the HR managers of more than 17 big companies and all of them told us one ugly truth i.e. more than 90% of job applications come from the candidates who do not have slightest of the qualifications for that job.
Job seekers apply for anything and everything thinking they have better chances of finding a job if they apply for as many jobs as possible.
Clearly, this is a big mistake and a waste of everyone’s time. You must ensure that you clearly understand the job you are applying for, and feel confident that you would do well if hired.
As per the research we have done, there are two key audiences you should keep in mind while making your resume.
Resume Parsers check your resume for power words and key skills
Large companies and job sites use software to filter out applications and almost 85% of the resumes get trashed or go to a “NO” pile because of two reasons i.e. the resumes do not have relevant keywords as per the job description and the resume format is not optimized for software.
After uploading their resume on several job sites, candidates wonder why they have not received a callback. The truth is, the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) had trashed their resume.
Recruiters check if your past experience in resume matches the job description
After your resume has passed the ATS test, the humans (recruiters) finally get to read it.
The recruiters get to see hundreds of resumes a day and they spend less than 10 seconds before trashing the ones that do not impress them at first glance.
If you get a call for an interview, your interviewer(s) may have a copy of your resume in front of them, so be prepared to answer all the points in detail.
The interviewer is the most powerful person in the process of hiring, and it is his/her decision at the end that matters the most.
Your resume should reflect the key skills that are mentioned in the job description because that’s what will get you the job.
Four Tests that your resume must pass to get shortlisted
In addition to addressing your resume to the key audiences as mentioned above, you also need to pass four tests in the given order to get an interview call.
- The Keyword Test: Pass this test by having relevant keywords in your resume that exhibit the skills that are mentioned in the job description.
Do not stuff keywords in your resume unless you have knowledge on those topics. Recruiters are extremely smart and they will sense your lack of knowledge almost immediately.
- The Scan Test: The recruiters will reject your resume within 10 seconds if they do not see what they are looking for. Make sure that your resume is well structured, precise, original and interesting.
- Key Skills in your resume must match the job description.
- Work Experience should align with the job you applied for.
- Achievements must assure the employers about your potential.
- Certifications indicate that you’re a constant learner.
- The Qualifications Test: After your resume passes the scan test, the recruiters will be looking to see if you meet the basic requirements for the role such as education, key skills, years of experience etc. That is why it is so important that you only apply for jobs if you meet all the requirements.
Read the job requirements carefully and do not apply in a haste. Customize your resume for each job application to make it stand out among the competitors.
- The Fit Test: After you pass all the above tests, you will most likely get an interview call. But, don’t get excited yet because a lot of candidates fail here because they aren’t able to communicate their skills and experience in detail during an interview. The best approach is to relax, speak normally and let the words flow out of your mouth with utmost honesty. If the interviewer(s) thinks that you are honest and skilled enough, you will go into their “YES” pile as a potential candidate.
How long should your resume be?
Keep your resume to a maximum of two pages. Recruiters spend less than 10 seconds on a resume before trashing it. To make a quick impression, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to that job.
How to add key skills to your resume?
Do not stuff your resume with irrelevant skills that are not required by the employers for the job. Skills section in CraftmyCV has been designed keeping the hiring process in mind where you get to focus only on your core strengths.
How to write your work experience in a resume?
Use bullet points to highlight your achievements in current and past jobs. Employers are interested in knowing if your experience aligns with their requirement. The moment employers see a resume that matches the job description perfectly, they will put that in a “YES” bucket.
Here is a resume checklist if you are interested in reading more about it.
CraftmyCV has taken care of all the technicalities involved in creating a perfect resume that is approved by the HR Managers and Recruiters. We not only offer Mobile ready PDF but also an ATS ready Word document.
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