You may think that your resume is perfect and you are going to get the job, but remember there are people just as qualified, that are probably thinking the same way. The key is to find out what recruiters are looking for, and how can you qualify and impress them. Here are a few tips on how recruiters think:

Location

Look at where the job is located, if your current address is close to the location of the job that’s a positive sign, if you live far away, mention in your cover letter you are willing to commute or relocate. 

Format

This is very important, don’t copy someone else’s resume online and especially don’t make it look like someone else wrote your resume for you. Don’t make it complicated; just make sure it’s organized, clear, concise and straight to the point. 

Education and Certifications

Some employers might have certain expectations such as having a university degree or a specific designation such as a C.A., C.M.A., or C.G.A.  You should make any significant educational background or designation very clear on your resume. 

Current Opportunities

Ensure that your daily task of each of your positions is noted on your resume. Also note how much experience you have based on the qualifications and requirements in the job details. Clients want people with experience in a similar industry or company, so try and heighten your skills in your area of expertise. 

The Golden Job

Recruiters will always look at where you’ve obtained that majority of your experience, a.k.a. “The Golden Job.” Make sure to put effort into emphasizing this particular career on your resume. 

The Gut Feeling

The last step for recruiters is sitting back and deciding weather or not they feel you are suitable for the job. This is the stage where they decide whether to bring you in for an interview or not. Recruiters are going to ask themselves, does this person have a solid resume? Can the candidate fulfill the current role? Do they have real job skills, beyond their simple job titles? 

These are just a few tips to keep in mind, try them out and see what kind of feedback you get from recruiters and employers. Always have a professional review your resume before you send it out, these people have been around the block and they can tell you what they would be looking for. Make sure to keep your resume professional, clean and easy to read, and try and keep it under two pages in length. Keep sending out those resumes, talk to professionals, don’t be afraid to have more than one resume, try them out and see which one gets you the most call backs.

Thank you to Sari Maritzer for contributing to this blog.