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How to Create a Resume Recruiters Will Read


When it comes to making a great resume, you want to make sure recruiters and hiring managers are 1) actually going to read it and 2) it has the information they need. The Fast Company video above (check out other funny Fast Company videos on their YouTube playlist here) puts a humorous spin on an all too common problem: How to create a resume recruiters will read.

Resumes Recruiters Will Read

In addition to the tips shared by Fast Company, our recruiters, and Prepary.com have 4 main things you should pay attention to when creating your resume:

resume recruiters will read

1. Make Your Experience Relevant

You generally get 30-60 seconds of time from a recruiter or hiring manager at first glance. What do they look at first? Your experience. Make sure your position titles and companies are easy to spot, accurate, and descriptive. Jamie Petkanics tells Prepary:

This [tip] comes first because it’s the most important. Actual experience – the companies you’ve worked for and what you’ve done for them – trumps almost anything else. Why? Because recruiters (and hiring managers) want you to be able to come into the company and hit the ground running. This is especially true if you’re interviewing for your 2nd or 3rd job.

Pro Tip: Make sure the tone and voice of your resume matches. Current positions and responsibilities should be in present tense, while past positions should be in past tense.

2. Show Off Your Skills

Creative jobs have at least a few core skills listed that you’ll need to have proficiency in, that not everyone has. Make sure keyword skills like Drupal, Google Analytics, Full Stack, InDesign, etc. are listed on your resume in their own section. Some resumes will go through a software program to scan for keywords, making listing specific skills extra important. Want to make your recruiter extra happy? At Artisan, we love to see graphs or charts listing skill proficiency levels. Pro in Photoshop but basic in HTML? A visual is the perfect way to list that. See an example here.

Pro Tip: Sorry, Microsoft Office is no longer a skill. Everyone assumes you can use it, so save the space for your real skills.

3. Put Forward a Pretty Presentation

When it comes to creating a resume recruiters will read, presentation is everything. If your resume is a visual confusing mess, it will get tossed in the trash. Skip the Office template and create a resume that is clean, creative, and easy to read. Not everyone is suited for an infographic style resume, but you can skill keep the following in mind:

Pro Tip: If you’re not a Graphic Designer, don’t try to create a visual resume yourself. Putting forward a less than professional looking graphic resume can make you stand out, in a bad way.

4. Round Out Your Details

Other resume requirements for recruiters? Education, achievements, and maybe even volunteer work. Though experience matters, modern HR managers are looking for things that you specifically accomplished, rather than just time that you spent at a job. Don’t be afraid to boast! Recruiters also understand the value of non-typical experiences, such as taking online courses or gaining additional certifications, so don’t forget to list them if you have them.

Pro Tip: Include all your contact information on your resume, including a link to your online portfolio. Don’t have one? Read this and get one started ASAP.

Now Send That New Resume Out

Once you’ve got your resume up to snuff and refreshed, send it to us and let us see! Submit your resume here or find a job to apply for from our job board here.

More Resume Articles

Redesigning Your Resume for 2016
Do You REALLY Need a Resume Objective?
3 Signs it’s Time for a Resume Revamp
The 1 Page Resume: Outdated or Essential?
23 Quick Tips for a Better Resume
5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Portfolio

Need more resume tips, tricks, and advice? Check back soon for an infographic with even more great resume advice from Artisan Talent!

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