How to Get Noticed: 5 Must-Haves on Your Resume to Impress Recruiters

By Marissa Knox, TA Technical Recruiter

You have seconds to make sure your resume stands out from the crowd before the recruiter moves on to the next applicant. Make a memorable first impression by including these five things on your resume that recruiters will instantly search for.

1. Workstyle preference

Believe it or not, listing your workstyle preference can be crucial to land your dream job, especially if you have a strong preference for an in-person, hybrid or remote role. You should also consider listing your willingness to travel on your resume, since travel is a requirement for some jobs. Being transparent about your preferences ensures your conversations with the recruiter are efficient and effective, and confirms the role is a match for your next career move.

2. Skillset section

While including your skillset on your resume might sound like a no-brainer, some candidates dive straight into their past roles and responsibilities and forget to discuss their hard and soft skills. Including a skillset section gives you the opportunity to capitalize on your expertise — plus, it gives you a higher chance of recruiters noticing your application when searching for keywords related to the role. Think of all the systems you use daily. For example, if you have experience with various ticketing systems like ServiceNow, call it out on your resume! You’re checking boxes as we scan your resume for skills.

3. Honorable mentions

Your resume is the summary of your professional brag book. This is the perfect time to not only highlight your achievements, but also your honorable mentions. Did someone refer to you as a key contributor to the project? Did you lead the team to a successful quarter? Did you close 250 tickets that month with a less than 15-minute call time resolution? Brag about it! Recruiters and managers will take note of these honorable mentions, and they could even segue into great talking points during your interview. Remember — you’re an asset!

4. Correct formatting

Let’s be honest, recruiters won’t give your resume the time of day if it isn’t formatted correctly. Take the extra step to save it as a PDF file and make sure it reads well. Your resume is a snapshot of your career — make it worth reading by ensuring it’s clear and concise. Send it to yourself or friends to see if it transfers well in an email. It’s always a good idea to have another set of eyes to review and approve your resume before sending it off.

5. Consistent information

Recruiters will check your LinkedIn profile, especially if you link it on your resume, so be sure you’re presenting consistent information. My rule of thumb is that if you’re updating your resume, update your LinkedIn profile, too. Consider adding a PDF version of your resume to your LinkedIn profile as well, so recruiters have easy access.

Your resume says a lot about you in 30 seconds. Take the time to captivate employers with your story, leaving them wanting to be part of your next career move.

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