What a Recruiter Looks for in a Resume

Your resume is often your first impression to potential employers, so make it count. Here are some recruiter-approved tips:

Attention-Grabbing Summary

Recruiters often have just a few seconds to review your resume. Make sure to include a clear, eye-catching statement at the top that highlights your key achievements. This could be the size of the P&L or teams you've managed, or the scope of projects you've undertaken. The goal is to showcase your impact right away.

Contextual Company Information

Not every recruiter knows the size and revenue of every company. Include a single-line statement under each company name to specify the industry, size, and revenue. This helps recruiters understand the scope of your role. For example, a VP at Apple is very different from a VP at a $5M startup.

Achievements Over Duties

When detailing your roles, focus on what you achieved rather than just listing your duties. Use real numbers instead of percentage changes, and mention the size of the teams you managed. This gives recruiters a clearer idea of your experience level and how it might fit into the role they are considering you for.

Resume Format

While applicant tracking systems (ATS) have improved, they often struggle with information arranged in columns. Stick to a traditional format to ensure the right information is parsed correctly. Additionally, many systems display PDFs better than Word documents. Avoid including personal information about hobbies or anything that might reference protected information.

Length of Resume

There's no need to limit your resume to one page, but try to keep it under three pages. Most recruiters won't spend the time to read a lengthy resume.