What can you accomplish in six seconds? Very few tasks can be completed in this time, unless you are a recruiter. Then, you are expected to approve or deny a job applicant in a few short seconds. Undercoverrecruiter.com confesses, “Recruiters spend on average 5-7 seconds looking at a CV…”.
What are Recruiter’s Looking For?
Confirming this statistic is TheLadders, an online job-matching service with headquarters in New York. According to an eye-tracking study, they conducted, recruiters spend six seconds—at most—to conclude if a candidate is fit for a job position. The purpose of this study is to better understand how recruiters view online résumés and profiles of candidates. Ultimately, the results of the study benefit job seekers because it provides insight on how they can improve their résumés.
A Recruiter’s Six Key Areas of Interest
The eye-tracking study identifies the areas of an online résumé where recruiters give the most focus. The research recorded and analyzed where and how long a recruiter’s eyes focused when processing a résumé. As a result, researchers managed to learn the recruiter’s key areas of interest when screening CVs. This includes six areas: the name, present company and title, previous company and title, present position start and termination dates, previous position start and termination dates, and the level of education.
Therefore, a job seeker can assume that checking these specific areas may improve his or her résumé and make it more appealing to recruiters. With a well-organized layout that considers common eye-tracking habits, a job seeker can make his or her résumé standout.
What Résumé Details Catch a Recruiter’s Attention
In addition to the six key areas listed above, the study proves that recruiters also pay attention to keywords. Similarly, job seekers who use social media networks such as LinkedIn must be extra cautious with their profile details. According to eye-tracking research, recruiters take more time viewing profile photos than other details provided in the profile. Therefore, job seekers need to post professional pictures on their profiles instead of posting beach and party photos.
The other details listed on CVs and professional online profiles seem to be less important, and additional résumé copy contributes little to the success of an initial job application. A résumé that is filled with confusing details and unorganized layout may deter a recruiter’s focus.
Crafting a Great Résumé
Now that you know what the average recruiter is looking for, amend your CV so it highlights the six areas of key interest. Also, be sure to maintain a conventional résumé format that attracts the recruiter so he or she will read the qualifying details of your résumé. And make sure your profile pictures are professional, since, in some cases, your photo describes more about you than the written details.
Crafting a great résumé takes much longer than six seconds but when you take the time to implement tips that derive from eye-tracking research, a recruiter may give your CV more than a passing glance.
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