You know all about getting your resume noticed. (Clean layout! Accomplishments, not duties!) But do you know what’s on the flipside? What you might be doing that could cause recruiters to overlook your resume—or worse, toss it in the trash?
Gasp! The trash? I know what you’re thinking, but the truth is, recruiters have dozens, even hundreds, of resumes to comb through every day. So, in an effort to cull them down to a reasonable amount, they’ll simply toss any that don’t meet what they’re looking for.
To learn more, I sat down with a few recruiters and asked them about the resumes that make the cut and those that get tossed. Here are three of their deal-breakers.
First and foremost, review the requirements listed in the job description and confirm that you have the skills and experience the recruiter is looking for. This is the “first knockout factor” for many, says Christina Lord, a technical recruiter at Dealer.com. “Make sure you look at the requirements before applying to the job, and identify if your skills are a match,” she says.
Sounds basic, but job seekers make this mistake more often than you might think, thanks to career counselors and advice websites that say to go ahead and apply for a job even without all of the qualifications. And while you shouldn’t be afraid to aim high, no amount of resume tailoring will cover for the fact that you only have three years of management experience, not 10, or don’t have the technical skills required to do the job. “Resumes just won’t be considered if the basic skills aren’t there,” agrees Joanna Thomas, a human resources professional at an agency in Burlington, VT.
A similar mistake: You have the basic requirements, but they’re obscured by extra or unnecessary information. “Lay it out simply for me—that means less investigation I’ll have to do,” says Thomas. For example, if you’re applying for a position in marketing, but your experience is a combination of marketing and sales, tailor your resume to focus on your marketing experience and skills, and minimize—or even remove—the sales information.
It’s of utmost importance to recruiters to find a candidate who’s a “cultural fit as well as a skill set fit,” according to Thomas. They love when a candidate “gets it”—and they’ll toss your resume if you look like “just someone looking for a job.” (Think summary statements that cover a wide range of skills and industries, or cover letters that don’t mention the company by name—or at all.)
To avoid the circular file, you’ll want to tweak your resume based on the position and company, making deliberate connections of how your experience, skills, and personality are a perfect fit for the job. Use industry terms, spell out accomplishments that you know will make an impact, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Thomas remembers an applicant who listed, “I’ll drink an iced Americano any time, day or night” under the interests section, which not only revealed the applicant’s “personality and sense of humor,” it was a great fit for Thomas’ agency, a highly creative design firm with its own specialty coffee shop in the basement.
When it comes to your resume, the devil is quite often in the details. Recruiters get annoyed by small things that you may not think of—like whether or not the text on your cover letter and resume is the same font and size (it should be), if your margins are off (makes it tricky for us to print), or to whom you’ve addressed the cover letter (it should be the recruiter’s name, not “sir,” “madam,” or “to whom it may concern”).
They’ll also take note if you don’t include everything the job posting asks you to send. A cover letter and resume? What about work or writing samples? Be sure to include everything that’s asked of you. Also, does the job posting refer to the position as Project Manager II? If so, state that in your cover letter, exactly—don’t write Proj. Mgr. or Project Manager. Companies put a lot of time into determining job titles, and when a recruiter is looking to fill both the Project Manager and the Project Manager II positions, any ambiguousness from you will make it harder for them.
And, it should go without saying, but “one spelling error and I’m out,” says Thomas. Proofreading your own resume is a must, but don’t rely on spell check and grammar check alone—ask family or friends to take a look at it for you. Lord recommends that you “always, always have several eyes look at your resume.”
Applying for a job can often feel like a huge challenge, and knowing that there are so many applicants out there can be daunting. But if you follow these simple rules, you’ll make sure your resume gets past the first hurdle: the trash can. Better yet, if you tailor your resume and make sure it’s a fit to the company and job, you’ll definitely increase your chances of getting to the top of the pile.
Angela has over 10 years of human resources and non-profit administration, and is currently the Director of Human Resources and Career Services at Burlington College in Vermont. A seasoned recruiter, she holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, and was recently named one of Vermont's 40 Under 40 by Vermont Business Magazine. Angela is a sought after consultant and speaker for workshops on resume writing, job searching tips, and interview techniques. You can find her writing at A Working Evolution, TheDailyMuse.com, and Forbes.com. In her spare time, she dreams of running away to Paris to study pastry-making.
Number 1 is NOT correct. Yes, you must have the skills to perform the duties at the level required. ALWAYS apply if you do regardless of experience. There are many "dummies" with lots of experience but also some highly qualified but less experienced prospects who would blow the dummies out of the water become real shakers and movers in the company. These jewels need to be recognized and snatched up early - at ten or more years experience you're getting leftovers.
@anji Thank you for your feined compassion, but your interpretation of what I said is absolutely wrong. Not only is it wrong, it shows you didn't really read my post. If I didn't eventually interview the qualified applicants I would not have made it 19 days in this industry, let alone more than 19 years.
I didn't "equate" my job to American Idol, but rather "relate" it to the process of weeding through the wanna be's.
Yes, I do get time to turn my brain off and watch TV, read a newspaper and even golf now and again. I'm guessing though that the family I support, neighbors and friends who actually know me would say I'm a pretty diligent worker.
So as not to bog down this article and have a negative back and forth with you, as I've seen so many times because people like to poke a bear (yes, I'm a little hairy, but not like an actual bear) and run away, I invite you to call me directly to discuss. 617-208-5738 is my office number.
In short, try not to derail the issue and validity of this article, but most importantly...have a great day!
Dear friends,
I hear so much on resume buzzwords from most of you, it can possibly take you to the first round but will not let you get that job. So, my advice is build on your credentials, recommendations from seniors, colleagues.
I look forward to your comments.
At Map My Talent, we manage university education, hire top talent for Multi National Companies, which includes technology companies. They are very stringent on education and experience. Such a work culture builds competition between employees, companies and creates multi billion dollar worth companies.
The most exciting part: their hunger for growth is never fulfilled. We like working with them.
Hi Donald,
I have mentioned about genuine qualification as well, so Bill gates was qualified enough to build his empire. Fluke resumes and just buzzwords do not take people anywhere. I hope I have made things a little more clear.
I agree Angela. In fact an effective resume is a combination of hard facts on education, experience etc and the job profile looking at. Congrats..
You can visit: http://www.mapmytalent.com/ to know about us.
1 Like
I just heard this morning a friend who has been with Keebler for years is losing his job. Keebler, now owned by Kellogg's is farming out the work to a broker.
2 Like
The points that everyone is making is true. Resumes need to be clean in terms of content, grammar, punctuation, etc. Cover letters need to be addressed to the correct individuals. Now my problem is what has happened to qualifications for the position one is applying to. Is it more important to have the correct buzzwords or more important to list one's skills? Are buzzwords taking precedent over skills? What are the right buzzords? So in theory one can apply on line for a position, be qualified according to the requirements posted. but have the wrong buzzwords and the resume is never seen. Where is the human equation in the decision making?
1 Like
Genuine experience and qualification can never be overlooked and have no substitute.
@neerajmmt @Donald King I disagree. Many times a person with no experience whatsoever has taken the helm and built multi-million even billion dollar industries. Classic example; Bill Gates.
1 Like
@Donald King I doubt it. I'm willing to bet he didn't do the hiring personally at least, not when the company grew that large. Personally, I think that question is ridiculous anyway. What is a candidate supposed to say anyway? What is the magic answer? Is there one or does it all just depend on the mood of the hiring manager that particular day. I say managers who base hiring decisions on stupid, predetermined cookie-cutter profiles are missing out on the best talent due to just plain laziness. Dig for those hidden talents that could very well net the company an employee who will perform beyond your wildest expectations.
Your point is well taken. However, Bill Gates wasn't hired by another individual that said something to the effect of Bill why should I hire you. He said that to his potential employees. Correct?
@Donald King The first thing your resume has to do is get you selected. To do that, your resume is scanned for buzzwords. Your resume will not even be read by a human being unless your resume has more buzzwords that your competitor's resume.
So if what you state is true, buzzwords are much more important that accomplishments? If I have better skills and qualifications than my competitors, but the wrong buzzwords then I lose? Have companies really come down to this level? As opposed to calling a work history a resume, we can now officially call them buzzumes.
1 Like
or how about this... nothing personal to you in either post but....what do you do when HR decides its cute to change titles so it becomes difficult to find salary comps? Or when they don't post a salary then tell you to include salary requirements. Case in point -- I did my homework found comp salaries along the esat coast, major cities, etc. I included a range that was open to neg. Turns out that the job wanted to pay 10k less than anyone else. I took three interviews for that info to come my way. So my point is that while HR makes the rules, holds the cards, etc they need to be part of the solution instead of alwayd deflecting blame to qualified applicats that proofread, etc
2 Like
its really nice to saythat the coverletter should bea ddressed to a specific individual. Here are the problems that I've encountered: 1) often times you don't know who the resume is going to,ie who in HR, 2) company websites don't always post ot mak eavailable names, 3) the job descriptions are cryptic interms of job contacts, 4) when you call a company they are not always helpful or fothcoming with the information,etc So, I can just see the next installment in the series, oops you put the wrong name on your cover letter, now what? It trashville for you. Perhaps it is time that HR looks are qualities a person brings to the table instead of making it impossible for candidates. Unless, these are stratigies to either hire within the company or get the job to someone they know. It is so tiring to read the same blog/articles about the same things with out any really useful information. I feel like I am reading the same piece copied by a dozen differnt authors. If you are journalists, step up. Really, come on,
Have you ever applied on line? Pretty lame and useless. Your resume can't go to HR because there's no such department anymore. Another cost cutting measure! The fact of the matter is there's no such thing as a perfect cover letter or perfect resume. The people that write all this instructional verbage need a life. One final statement about companies. I went for an interview over 2 months ago and never heard a word. then like magic, I get an email SUNDAY night at 9pm stating they decided to hire someone who more closely meets their needs. I only have 12 years experience in the field and could do more to help them grow sales than whomever they hire. All of this for a job that payed a whopping $110 daily with a gas allowance. You have to use your own car! And they wonder why their sales suck in the marketplace. They call themselves the Dr. Pepper Snapple group, but in Atlanta they don't even distribute Dr. Pepper. That is what companies have relagated themselves to. Very sad!
1 Like
I have not had a FULL time job since '09. Wow. I bet you guys are like "what is wrong with this person?"I have revised , re-visited and tailored my resume too many times to count. They say the employment is getting better. Well, something needs to come my way. It's sad that there are people that are acually trying to work and cant.
1 Like
@Still looking I wish that the guys that can not find a job for years, and are giving up all hope - I wish that they would write what they do. Because programmers can still write their own ticket. My company is desparate for UNIX/AIX programmers and systems people. And Java. If you know Unix or Java, you would have a job yesterday.
My guess is that "Still Looking" is either a sales rep or a middle management type who majored in Liberal Arts or maybe Art History,.
A very valid point. Many of us "older" individuals such as myself think of Java as a slang for coffee. My point is the tech boom developed after we have already graduated and are in mid career never thinking that the axe is right around the corner. As a country we need to focus more on teaching job skills first and foremost. I was a liberal arts major because I didn't apply myself in school. Now I am suffering the consequences. Education be it formal or street is the besr foundation.
@Still looking Dude, it's like looking in mirror. I feel for you. Some days it takes all the *umph!* I can muster to fill out another application cause I have to fight off that nagging voice in the back of my head going (Why even bother? They'll just throw it out. Or even if they don't, they'll call you up schedule an interview, and then throw it out.)
@Still looking Take a contract job. That will get you in the door. Some times it is the stepping stone to a permanent job with a company -- they are trying you before buying. At other times it is a way to obtain a paycheck. A contract job is better than no job at all on future resumes -- it looks better than saying you had no job at all. And the contract job can give you skills that will help you obtain additional work. For instance, I have not had a permanent job for 10 years but on my first contract job I picked up skills that have gotten me 10 years of additional contract work. I am never permanently employed any more -- however, I probably spend less than 4 weeks a year as unemployed.
1 Like
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }A:link { }
@Still looking oooh I feel you. I had my career councilor at the college I graduated from, do a complete critique on my resume, my cover letter, my references, the way I dress, and the way I interview. I did yard work for a friend of a family, so I could pull my own background check just so I know what to expect when they run one, I pulled my credit report to know what they would see, so I could be honest with them when they asked, what will I find when I do the background check? I have had a professional resume service write my resume, which my Dad paid for, I have gone to employment agencies, my Dad paid headhunters at Monster, because I have no money because I can't find work. All of this was done to no avail what so ever. I have gone to at least 200 interviews and filled out at least twice as many applications over the last 2 years. I have bent over backwards trying to become employed. I have student loans I cannot pay back and I am running out of deferments. I have the added stress of jail hanging over my head and yes, you can go to jail for unpaid student loans, I looked it up. My dad is currently helping pay off one of my student loans, but the other one will soon demand payment. And before you say it is easier to find work when you are already working, I can't even get work at the mall, at McDonalds, at Starbucks, at Little Caesars! I refuse to believe it's the applicants, it's just not possible. I have done everything that has been asked of me and more to become employed, there comes a point when after you have exhausted all other possible solutions, the only one that is left, no matter how improbable the employers think it is, must be the solution. It is not the applicants. When you hold a bar up so high that no one can reach it, no one will.
@AnjiMcBride You can not be jailed for none payment of student loans. Whomever or whatever website told you that is lying. The only reason you can be jailed because of a loan is if you lie to them during the application process to obtain the money or produce fake documents to request a deferment. ie commit fraud. Even with government backed loans the best they can do is garnish your tax return/social security/or wages. Even with those options if you can show it would be an undue hardship you can qualify to have those stopped.
@caffeyw @AnjiMcBride Thank you, that makes me feel a little bit better. I would love it if they did garnish my wages and with held my tax refund, because that would mean I had found a job. Thank you again.
@Still looking Only since 2009? I'm 44 and every job I've ever had has been part-time and / or temporary. Unemployment is inching down because employers need more workers when so few are full time. But watch polticians present that as an economic recovery. I've been on my current job 12 years and improved from 8 hours a week to 30.
@Still looking I feel the same way! I'm graduating this may and have been looking for a job all year so I would be set after I graduated....nope! I've had plenty of interviews but no offers. It's not very good right now at all.
Wow, 5 years out of work. It's just been one for me. How have you managed to survive both mentally and financially? I don't know how I've survived the one. Out of curiosity what field of employment were you in? All I can say is keep pushing. I looking into round three of self employment.
"...you still have to fight the feeling that your a failure." That's why I stopped calling this a recession a long time ago. It's a depression in my eyes. This is what caused the last Depression, and now I see where it got the name. The sheer tonage of out of work people who cannot find work it weighs on their souls, it's the worst kind of feeling, and it lead to a depressed nation and it's that way again.
@PhilipBrzezinski@Donald KingI hear ya PhilipBrzezinski, I never thought I would be living with my parents at 34, but I cannot find work to save my life! You walk around feeling like a failure in life, ya know? You have to keep reminding yourself that it's the economy, but still, even when you have done everything you can do to find work, you still have to fight the feeling that your a failure.
1 Like
@Donald King Mostly lived with family and friends...unemployment compensation helped at first (worked 20 odd years @ same company same and NOT EVEN 2 years of unemployment??) but now it's mostly food stamps and odd jobs if/when I can get them...
And you want to talk about depression....
There are no FULL time jobs anymore.They are all PART time. Employers will hire two "part timers" over one "full timer" just to keep from givin out a benifit package to you. Just my 0.02....
I sure wish I could get out of the job I am in and get back into a steady financial job again. I have all kinds of experience and can't even get a interview or get a decent paying job here in Las Vegas. I hate working out at the Hotel by a Lake its too damn slow during fall & winter. Please lord help me find something soon, I have been applying everyday for the past year.
@jobseeker2 shut the hell up, we don't want to hear about how your diamond shoes are too tight
1 Like
THIS is AMERICA!!! The only way you could make decent money is by being a crook or a politician!!!
1 Like
@Rexus86 @PhilipBrzezinski Being a crook is a prerequisite to being as politician!!
3 Like
I'm going a different posting route here - Show of hands, does anyone NOT 'get' HR departments and their clandestine role in a company?
A word to the HR 'consultants', Talent Acquisition Consultants, Human Capital Reps. or whatever your favorite title is... Unfortunately you have let the shear number of resumes' run your life. You could easily just search for those exact things mentioned in this piece thus eliminating the 'hundreds' of resumes - technology.
Because you say "recruiters have dozens, even hundreds, of resumes to comb through every day.", are the readers supposed to have sympathy for you? It's your J-O-B. Personnel - HR..., suck it up and do your job, just like we all do, and stop saying 'Geez, you know, I had to look through 68 resumes today, boy am I beat. If you don't like it - go find a new career other than HR.
And then you have this: "Thomas remembers an applicant who listed, “I’ll drink an iced Americano any time, day or night” under the interests section, which not only revealed the applicant’s “personality and sense of humor,” it was a great fit for Thomas’ agency." Firstly - these HR "expert" advice columns - until this one - all say, DON'T have an "Interests" section on your resume (I like puppies and knitting, yada yada), yet here this person says she loved that. I venture a guess that the agency is staffed with coffee chugging, Facebook all day 20 something's. Bottom line, MAKE UP your mind HR! People are JUST as busy as you. No value add there.
And this: "...they’ll [HR] simply toss any that don’t meet what they’re looking for." Well since there are as many HR personalities as grains of sand on a beach, the "they're" is a total crap shoot - basically one has to play the 'let me try and guess the personality of THIS companies personnel rep.!' game.
Then there's this - "(makes it tricky for us to print), or to whom you’ve addressed the cover letter (it should be the recruiter’s name, not “sir,” “madam,” or “to whom it may concern”)." Again, the world does NOT feel sorry for you, and when an HR contact named in job descriptions (for more info contact......), puts their name as P. Smith, then WE have to guess and go on a hunt for YOUR first name and gender - are you a man named Paul? Woman-Paula? i.e. Dear Ms. Smith, or Dear Mr. Smith.... as 'upset' as you get over a simple little thing, WE do the same when sent on a hunt for something that YOU have grossly overlooked.
I leave you with this - Throughout the US, HR has affectionately become known, for many years, as the:
~~ Hiring Prevention Department~~. Try putting yourselves in an applicants shoes for a change. It really isn't all about you.
3 Like
Dear concerned citizen, FABULOUS post! Thank you. It's about time someone knocked these self-important twits (to quote George Carlin) off their high horse. I can only say if I were in HR, I would do things totally different. I would look through more than 68 resumes a day. And I would look for actual hard skills first combined with education but save the soft skills assessment for the interview. I would also recognize age as perhaps the best teacher of all because some candidates may not have much actual work experience in the field they are attempting to enter, but they may have acquired much experience through life in general that, when coupled with a college education, may make them the best fit of all. These things would make me at least want to speak to the person before I simply discarded their resume. No I would not interview 100 people a day but perhaps 100 a week. It seems to me that HR personnel want to do as little as possible while seeking candidates willing and able to do as much as possible. Does that about sum it up?
I have been looking for a job as a health and safety advisor for a while, no luck so far. I have very good experience and knowledge of the job, with qualifications. Why, no interviews as well.
I have a question: I am job seaking and have scored interviews. I am looking for a job in the banking industry and I have been told to wear skirts, cute tops, to pant suits to skirt suits to color to wear anything you want so long as there is no cleavage and no arms. I have worn skirt with no hoes, with a long sleeve black sweater to dresing comfortble with no jean etc. Im lost. Can anyone help? I heard times have changed and pant suts are out. Im in the 30-35 age
@cml07 Dear Sister,
You are finding a job for money. U can find any other job that gives you Respect. If any job with lot of money doesnt gives you a Respect, its worth and meaningless in life. Sorry if wrote something wrong
2 Like
First; work on the typos. My advice would be check out the specific location you wish to apply to and note what the employees are wearing then, choose something similar. Just make sure it is a bit on the conservative side and displays a professional image. Don't know that trends matter all that much what you want to avoid is anything that can be construed as provocative.
thanks! Also I hate that most companies are going thru recruiters. A lotof them stand in the way of really good employees. I have been calling the branch and letting them know I applied. Espeially after what I have read what recuitersdo. I feel like I have to jump thru so many hoops. I am so tired of companies fnding someone better than me I understand yespeole are better than me but how do I make sure they hire me. As far a the typeos it took me over a half hour to type that because of how slow the website is. I type over 60 wpm. I got so frusterated I gave up
Can you do online advertising and are you good at research? I am seeking to start my own business in a field which I have over 35 years experience. If you can generate business through advertising and help find some items customers may request that are rare and not readily available, I will send you a cashier's check for doing so. No gimmicks, no scams, and no bs. If interested, go to my profile, send me a private e-mail and we will go from there.
3 Like
My sentiments exactly. I think if recruiters themselves spent enough time in the shoes of those seeking employment they might change their tune just a bit. No one expects them to hire someone who will never be a good fit for the position but at least consider those who may become a good fit with the right tweaking.
I have had trouble with a particular company. I applied twice. I got a phone interview at one location but then a reject email. Then I applied to another location and I called the location. I got a phone interview and then a location interview. Im available and flexible. I have the experiece and the manager told me so. The same recruiter that phone interviewed methe first time that I couldnt understand sent me a reject email this morning. I never heard anythingf from the manager. I am so angry. THe manager said she would try to avoid this person.Butthe same recruiter stands in my way. Im done applying tothat company. The recruiter is rude and sends rude responses. Another example of a nasty recruiter
Need a little career wisdom?
