About that 7.4-second resume scan…
Are you going to gag the next time you read, “Studies show recruiters only look at a resume for 7.4 seconds before deciding whether you’re qualified to go into the A pile?”
How long do recruiters really scan resumes? Where did that statistic come from? It came from a 2018 Ladders eye-tracking study of recruiters reading resumes.
That initial 7-second scan doesn’t happen with high-level executives who aren’t competing with dozens (or more) of other candidates.
It only refers to the first, quick look a recruiter looks at when deciding whether or not a candidate goes into an A, B or C pile for further consideration later. And it only happens when the recruiter is busy with many applicants for a positon.
While that was the sexy 7.4 stat from that study, what is the important stat you need to know to make your resume scannable?
Job Titles on Resumes are #1
The most important thing to take from the Ladders study is that during that 7.4-second scan, the #1 thing recruiters look for is job titles.
Recruiters don’t care where you worked if you didn’t hold jobs related to the position. The only exception would be if you were interviewing for an e-commerce position and you worked at Amazon, eBay and Etsy.
You don’t job titles blending in like the example below.
This is much easier to read.
Making a Scannable Resume
Most professionals resume writers have no background or training in typography. Typography, above all else, determines whether or not your resume is easily scannable.
Using ALL CAPS, reverse type, italics, reverse type and unique fonts might make your resume look interesting at first glance, but when it comes time to start reading a resume, recruiters want:
•A brief branding statement
•Keywords
•Job titles and dates
•Company name
•Short description of the jobs/positions you held
•Bullet points that list accomplishments (not duties!), using % and $
•Correct (simple) use of typography
Your text should be broken up into short sections. Your layout should follow the letter “E” or “F” in terms of where your information leads the eye.
Executive Networking Resumes
Executives who aren’t competing with hundreds of other applicants and who are not having their resume put into an Applicant Tracking System have more flexibility to create resumes, since certain design elements that interfere with an ATS won’t hurt you.
A professional resume writer can help you decide when you need an ATS-friendly resume and when you want a networking resume.
Working with Steve
Read more about how Steve can help you create an effective executive resume.
Additional Resources
The Ladders: Why Do Recruiters Spend Only 7.4 Seconds on Resumes?