What Recruiters Really Look for in a Resume

Craft a Resume That Gets Noticed by the Right People

Your resume is often your first impression, and sometimes your only shot at landing an interview. Recruiters scan hundreds of resumes a day, and they’ve developed a sharp eye for spotting the ones that stand out from the rest. Understanding what they’re actually looking for can give you a competitive edge in today’s crowded job market.

Here’s what really matters to recruiters and how to build a resume that gets their attention.

1. Clear Formatting and Readability A resume that’s cluttered, overly stylized, or difficult to read won’t get far. Recruiters spend an average of 6 to 8 seconds scanning each resume initially. If yours isn’t easy to digest quickly, it may be overlooked.

Tips:

• Use a clean, professional font (like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica)

• Stick to a single-column format

• Keep margins wide and line spacing consistent

• Avoid dense blocks of text

2. A Strong Professional Summary Your summary should tell recruiters who you are and what you bring to the table in just a few sentences. It’s not the place for generic buzzwords. Instead, highlight your value proposition and experience level.

Example: “Marketing strategist with 7+ years of experience driving brand growth through targeted digital campaigns. Known for cross-functional leadership and data-driven decision-making.”

3. Relevant Keywords and Phrases Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes before they even reach a human. Using keywords from the job description ensures your resume passes the filter.

Tip: Match your skills and experience to the job post. If they’re looking for someone with “project management” and “client-facing experience,” make sure those terms appear in your resume where appropriate.

4. Results-Driven Experience Descriptions Recruiters want to see achievements, not just job duties. Use bullet points to describe what you did and how it impacted the company or team.

Formula: [Action Verb] + [Task] + [Result/Outcome]

Example: “Led a cross-functional team to launch a product that increased revenue by 18% in the first quarter.”

5. Tailored Content for the Role One-size-fits-all resumes don’t work. Tailor your experience, skills, and summary to align with the role you’re applying for. This shows effort and makes your resume more compelling.

6. Relevant Skills Section Don’t just list tools. Include both hard and soft skills relevant to the role. Prioritize skills that are in demand for the industry.

Examples:

• Salesforce CRM

• Budget forecasting

• Stakeholder communication

• Agile project management

7. Logical, Reverse-Chronological Order Put your most recent role first and work backward. Include job title, company name, location, and employment dates. If you’ve had gaps in your work history, be ready to explain them in your cover letter or interview.

8. Consistency Across Documents Make sure your resume matches your LinkedIn profile. Discrepancies between the two can raise red flags.

9. Minimal Fluff and Buzzwords Avoid vague phrases like “go-getter,” “team player,” or “hard worker.” These don’t provide any real insight into your capabilities.

10. Contact Info at the Top This seems obvious, but it’s frequently missed. Include your full name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL at the top of the resume.

What Recruiters Notice Instantly

• Gaps in work history (and how they’re addressed)

• Job-hopping patterns

• Grammar and formatting issues

• Career progression

A great resume isn’t just a list of experiences—it’s a strategic document that markets you for the job you want.