Key Factors Employers Seek in Resumes

Understanding what employers look for in a resume is crucial for ensuring that your document meets their expectations and desires. Here are some essential aspects that employers pay attention to:

Font Style and Size

Choose a legible font in a reasonable size and maintain standard margins. Stick to basic fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman with a font size of 11 or 12. Avoid using a font that is too small, as it may strain the reader's eyes. Make sure your resume is easy to read both on screen and when printed out.

Scanability

While the content of your resume is important, keep in mind that hiring managers often scan resumes quickly. They focus on keywords, job titles, and relevant facts to determine your suitability for the position. To facilitate this process, create sufficient white space between lines and in the margins, and highlight the most relevant information prominently.

Job Qualifications

Employers are primarily interested in well-qualified candidates. Demonstrate your qualifications by aligning them with the job requirements. Highlight relevant skills, such as organizational abilities and project management expertise, to showcase your fit for the role. Rather than simply listing responsibilities, emphasize your achievements, such as system improvements, cost savings, or revenue generation, to provide a clear picture of your abilities.

A Coherent Story

Make it easy for employers to understand your background by presenting a coherent story in your resume. If you have switched careers, consider omitting some early jobs or grouping them together with brief descriptions. Focus on the past 10 years of work experience unless additional experience is directly relevant to the job. Clearly connect your experience and accomplishments to the job you are applying for, emphasizing career progression and increased responsibilities.

Formatting

Resumes typically follow a traditional format and style, which employers expect. Consistency in formatting throughout the document is essential. Ensure that all the necessary information, such as contact details and education, is included. Adhere to the expected structure while presenting the content in a visually appealing manner, particularly for roles where effective communication and presentation skills are important.

Avoid These Deal-Breakers

To avoid rejection or having recruiters pass over your resume, steer clear of the following:

Typos: It can be challenging to catch your own mistakes, so consider having someone else review your resume for errors.
Poor word choices or excessive bragging: Strike a balance between showcasing your accomplishments and responsibilities without sounding overly boastful. Avoid using a thesaurus excessively, resulting in the use of unnatural or exaggerated language.
Unreadable resume: Ensure your resume is easy to read. Eliminate typos, use clear formatting, and select a legible font. If the document is difficult to read, recruiters are likely to skip it.

By addressing these key factors, you can enhance your resume's appeal to employers and increase your chances of securing an interview.