Make Your Job Application Stand Out to Recruiters….

We've all heard that recruiters are reviewing hundreds of resumes per job opening. Even worse – we know that the review process is often a 5 second scan of your resume! If your resume and application materials doesn’t shine in that timeframe, you might have lost the opportunity to move forward in the process.

How can you make your resume and cover letter open doors for you?  As a former recruiter, a career coach and a resume writer – I’ve got some ideas!

Here are 5 tips to make your application stand out from the rest:  

1.) Readability
With hundreds of resumes to review, the last thing a recruiter wants to see is a resume packed with text, making it hard to read and decipher the key points. 👉Here are quick ways to make it readable:

• Leave white space

• Stick with ATS-friendly fonts (think Calibri, Times, or Arial)

•  Format your resume bullet points to be no more than 1-2 lines. (Leave the long paragraphs behind!

  Structuring your resume in a clean, easy-to-read format will make that 6-second scan more successful. (This applies to text-heavy cover letters too!)

2.) Relatability
Recruiters are matching your resume to specific qualifications as they sort through the stack of applications. The ATS is programmed to do the same.Does your resume match the qualifications listed on the job posting? If not, it’s likely that your application won’t advance. 👉 Try this:

• Customize your resume for the job, so you are highlighting the appropriate related skills and experience.

•  Mirror the job posting language. Use the same keywords and phrases as the job post to improve ATS compatibility.

• Prioritize the most important information. Re-order your bullet points, and bring the most related skills.

  Customize your resume to match the language of the job posting, increases your chances of success!

3.) Results
Are you able to show evidence of your impact? Quantify your impact through numbers as much as possible.  But if you can’t, you can show your impact in other ways. 👉Try this:

• Clearly explain the outcomes of your work in numbers - this could be financials, # of people served, size of team etc.

•  Demonstrate how (or who) you helped or influenced - this is your impact!

• Use strong action words to show your value.

  
  You are more than a listing of your job duties! Highlight what you achieved, not just what you did.

4.) Honesty & Authenticity
In the age of AI, connecting with your reader matters. After a day of reading resumes and cover letters all day, recruiters want something that makes them want to connect with you. I know I did. 👉 Consider these ideas:

• Do your documents feel robotic or impersonal?  

• Does your personality shine through in the design?

• Did you add a little something extra, unique to you?
  Keep your resume professional and relevant, but give me a sense of who you are, why you are interested, and why I’d want you on the team.

5.) Support Curiosity
Your resume is your first step in the door, and once a recruiter is interested, they will look to find out more.👉 Make sure you feed their curiousity by:

• Submitting a cover letter

• Having a complete & engaging LinkedIn profile

• Keeping your contact info current for when they reach out!
  Personal brand is everything. Your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn matter and together they can open new avenues for you!

The Takeaway:

Recruiters aren’t just scanning for qualifications—they’re looking relevant skills, honest results and clear communication. By focusing on your resume readability, relatability, and authenticity, you’ll increase your chances of standing out in a competitive market!

Before you “submit,” ask yourself:“Will my resume and cover letter grab my attention in 10 seconds?

Wondering how to stand out in a competitive market? Having a partner in the job search helps. Career coaching and professional support can change the trajectory of your job search. Reach out today and see the results!