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Recruiters are constantly reviewing LinkedIn profiles and resumes. For candidates on the job market, it may be useful to understand how recruiters ‘recruit’, what we typically look for, and how to be seen.
Forming your CV, resume, and even a LinkedIn profile can be difficult when trying to appeal to the right audience. “What is the best way to market myself? What skills should I highlight? How should I phrase my summary?” These may be a few questions you work through when constructing your resume.
Below are the pieces of information that I, as a recruiter, place heavy emphasis on when reviewing a candidate's information.
Key Words
Typically, recruiters start off their candidate search with keywords or phrases that will generate candidate profiles/resumes relevant to the position. Some companies even have screening software that scans resumes for specific keywords prior to being passed to a hiring manager for consideration. For candidates, this means you should include clear, concise descriptions on your resume/profiles. When applying for a specific position, thoroughly read the job description and include some of the same phrases or buzz words into your resume.
Experience
Experience is, of course, the bulk of your resume. This will include your job titles, job details, companies you’ve worked for, and the time period. But what are we really looking for? I typically look at a few key points such as previous employers and job responsibilities. Job titles themselves may not be as relevant as you think because they vary from company to company and will not always have the same duties. It is your personalized description of the job that gives recruiters/hiring managers a way to compare a formal job description against your resume. Job tenure is a key component and something that many clients place a large emphasis on.
Professional Summary
A professional summary is typically optional on a resume. This is not always the first thing I view on a candidate's resume or profile but it can absolutely be useful. This gives recruiters or hiring managers insight into you, what motivates you, what you feel that your strengths are, and what you may be looking for in your next position. This is a way to add a personalized touch to your resume as you see fit.
When forming your CV, resume, or LinkedIn profile consider what audience you are trying to appeal to. Whether you are actively or passively on the job market, these pointers may help you become visible for your next great opportunity!
Written by: Emily Onheiser, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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