As you can probably guess, the amount of time employers spend analysing resumes varies, depending on the industry, position, business goals, and more.
Potential job candidates are frequently wondering how to tweak their resumes to encourage recruiters and hiring managers to look at them longer. But how long do recruiters spend looking at resumes?
Table of contents
- How long does a recruiter look at your resume?
- What do employers look for in resumes?
- How to prepare a transparent resume?
- The takeaway
How long does a recruiter look at your resume?
Want to learn the answer to the question of how long recruiters look at resumes?
It’s estimated that the average time a recruiter looks at a resume is six or seven seconds. However, this number may fluctuate based on a variety of factors, such as the recruiter’s experience, the number of resumes they have to review, the position they’re hiring for, and more.
It’s natural that some recruiters spend more time on certain resumes than others. For example, if a recruiter is looking to fill a position that requires specific skills or experience, they’ll devote more time to reviewing resumes that match those qualifications.
What do employers look for in resumes?
When reviewing resumes, employers want to see that you have the skills and experience necessary for the job, that you’re a good fit for their company culture, and that you’re likely to be a successful employee.
In a nutshell, they may pay particular attention to:
- Relevant skills and experience
- A good fit for the company culture
- A track record of success
- Clear and concise writing
- A professional appearance
How to prepare a transparent resume?
Since you know how long a recruiter typically looks at your resume, it’s time to work on making your application more transparent and scannable:
- Use clear and concise language – when writing your resume, be sure to use language that can be easily understood by everyone. Avoid using slang and terms that might be confusing.
- Use simple words and sentences – keep your sentences short and to the point. Use bullet points to list information, rather than writing long paragraphs.
- Make sure it’s error-free – nothing will make your resume look less professional than spelling or grammar mistakes. Be sure to proofread your resume before you submit it.
- Use a professional font – when choosing a font for your resume, stick to something simple and easy to read, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
- Highlight your relevant skills and experience – take some time to think about the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Make sure these are prominently featured on your resume.
- Include keywords that match the job description – many employers use applicant tracking systems to help them screen resumes. To ensure your application makes it through the ATS, remember about relevant phrases from the job description.
Want to learn how to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems? Check out our blog!
The takeaway
If you want to ensure that the average time a recruiter looks at your resume increases, fine-tune your application and implement the above recommendations.
While there’s no magic formula for the perfect resume, following these tips can help you create an application that is more likely to catch a recruiter’s eye.