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What are employers looking for in a resume?

by Surranna Sandy, CEIP, CPRW, President of ResumeSolutions.ca

Whether you are writing a functional, chronological or combination resume, the end goal is the same - impress the hiring manager and get that all important job interview. A survey by Career Builder showed that 27% of human resources (HR) managers reported receiving 50 resumes on average for a single job opening. A further 13% said that they received up to 100 resumes for a job posting.

It is a cliché that most recruiters spend as little as 30 seconds reviewing a resume but it is true. You need to write a resume to quickly capture the reader’s attention. Your resume needs to be error exceptionally well written to enable you to stand out from the crowd. Yes, writing a resume is hard work – it takes time and effort. But it is worth it. A well-written resume can provide you with the confidence, increase job in interviews. Remember the goal of your resume is not get a job but to get interviews.

So what do employers look for when evaluating job applicants resumes? As a former human resources management professional, I have reviewed 1000s of resumes for jobs ranging from entry level, managerial to executive. I always look for accomplishments, skills and keywords that are specifically
targeted to the job opening and many of my HR colleagues and industry research state the same.

When writing your resume, you should review the job description carefully and integrate those keywords within the profile of your resume. You should identify and convey key accomplishments that showcase how you have leveraged your core strengths to add value to your past employers.

The top keywords searched by recruiters and HR managers are:

  • Problem-solving/decision making - 56 percent
  • Leadership - 44 percent
  • Oral/written communications - 40 percent
  • Team-building - 33 percent
  • Performance and productivity improvement -31 percent

We are currently facing an unprecedented economic situation, which has resulted in high unemployment and a competitive job market, job seekers need to write resumes that makes them stand out. As a job seeker, your resume is the most critical tool in the job search arsenal and as such it needs to be flawless, well written and impactful.

When writing your resume, you need to ensure that:

  • Your resume has zero spelling errors & grammar issues.
  • Your resume is targeted to the job posting.
  • It is keyword rich.
  • Your resume is free of lies or exaggerations.
  • And finally your resume is scannable.

 

ResumeSolutions.ca was specific establish to help job seekers write error free, high impact job-winning resumes through our certified resume writing service. You will partner with a certified professional resume writer who will craft an accomplishment rich resume that grabs the potential employer’s attention. Visit us at ResumeSolutions.ca or call 1-866-361-1290.

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