If you’re like most job seekers, you probably think that the only thing recruiters look for in a resume is whether you have the skills and experience they need.

But recruiters are also often looking for other things, like how well your resume is written if it’s visually appealing, and how closely it matches the job description.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what recruiters look for in a resume and tips on how to make your resume stand out from the rest. Stay tuned!

How Corporate Recruiters Find Candidates

Recruiters are often tasked with finding people who fit specific skills. But what happens once they find those people? How do they convince employers to hire them?

In a recruiter’s experience at a large financial software firm. He spends his days looking for candidates to fill positions within the company. He sends out a job description and salary range when he finds someone.

If multiple people are interested in the position, he asks each candidate how much they want to make. Then he compares the offers and makes a final decision based on what he thinks is fair compensation.

What abilities should a resume have?

The specific abilities that hiring managers seek for in resumes vary depending on the business. Listed below are some examples of what recruiters look for in each field.

• Sales & Marketing – A candidate with sales experience demonstrates initiative, adaptability, communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure.

• Engineering – A candidate must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and good verbal and written communication skills.

• IT – A candidate must demonstrate knowledge of software development processes, such as agile methodology and version control systems, as well as familiarity with web technologies like HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, etc.

• Finance – A candidate must demonstrate strong financial acumen, including understanding accounting principles, valuation techniques, and regulatory compliance.

• Legal – A candidate must have demonstrated legal expertise, including knowledge of legislation, regulations, contracts, and intellectual property.

• HR/Recruiting – A candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills and communicate orally and in writing effectively.

Resume skills examples

Recruiting is hard work, especially when you’re looking for people who are passionate about what they do. Hiring managers review resumes, read cover letters, and interview candidates.

They know that every summary is different and that each candidate brings something unique. But it doesn’t stop there — many times, they’ll go out of their way to find ways to weed out candidates who don’t meet their needs.

Here are some things recruiters look for when reviewing resumes:

1. Communication

Communication is one of the most critical factors in successful job hunting. It’s often the deciding factor in whether or not someone gets hired.

In today’s competitive job market, communication skills are critical. Good communication skills help you connect with potential employers, build rapport and gain trust. They can make or break your chances of getting hired.

2. Content

A well-written resume includes keywords and phrases relevant to the job description. These keywords help recruiters find your resume quickly and easily. They also make it easier for hiring managers to evaluate your qualifications based on the skills listed on your resume.

The best way to ensure that your resume is optimized for your desired position is to use the keywords employers look for in applicants.

3. Education

The number one reason why employers are looking for education qualifications is that it demonstrates a commitment to learning and development.

Employers want to see evidence of continued professional development – whether through continuing education courses, volunteering, or simply reading up on industry news. They also look for evidence of personal growth and maturity, such as having taken part in a leadership program or being involved in charities.

4. Experience

The hiring manager wants to see what you’ve done in the past. But it doesn’t matter how much experience you have if it isn’t relevant to your desired job. You’ll never stand out in the resume scan if you don’t know precisely what the employer needs.

Your resume will be scanned for keywords and phrases that indicate your skills and experiences apply to the position. Ensure every item on your resume is relevant to the job you are applying for.

5. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills are essential qualities that recruiters look for in job applicants. If you can show that you can solve problems quickly and effectively, it could help you stand out among other candidates.

If you think about it, organizations face many different types of problems every day. These might include figuring out how to increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, increase productivity, and reduce costs.

The critical thing to remember here is that even though some people might call themselves “problem solvers,” what matters is whether they’re good at coming up with innovative ideas and solutions.

6. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to one’s ability to understand their feelings and those of others. This includes identifying and labeling emotions, using dynamic information effectively, regulating emotions, and controlling impulses.

While emotional intelligence isn’t something you’re born with, it can be developed over time.

7. Your motivations

There are two things hiring managers and recruiters look for when it comes to showing off your skills and experience. They want to know what you’ve done before and how much value you’ll bring to their organization. But they also want to know how much you care about working for them.

That’s where motivation comes into play. It’s not enough to list your responsibilities and achievements; employers want to learn more about your career goals, values, and personal interests. This gives them insight into whether you’re genuinely interested in working for them.

8. Teamwork

Most jobs require some level of collaborative working with others. In fact, most of us spend most of our lives working in groups. So it makes sense that many job interviews focus on how well you collaborate with others.

Recruiters seek team players. This includes good communication, pressure handling, and problem-solving. These are crucial for team members.

9. Skills

What are they worth? Many think having a skill list is enough to make them stand out. However, it’s essential to ensure that you include all relevant skills acquired during your previous jobs.

These can be anything from languages spoken to software used to specific technologies. They should also highlight additional skills you have developed since graduating, such as coding, project management, marketing, etc.

Your skills complement your experience and should illustrate your ability to do the job well. You want to show off your abilities, not just your education. This way, employers know you’re capable of doing the work, even though you might not necessarily have done it before.

10. Results and Achievements

Hiring managers are always looking for evidence of success. They want to know what you did to achieve your results. For example, if you’re a sales manager, it makes sense to show how much revenue you generated compared to your budget. But you don’t just want to show your numbers; you want to explain why those numbers were achieved.

11. Reliability

Reliability is one of the most important qualities employers look for in job candidates. You’ll likely lose out on opportunities if you don’t show up on time, answer emails promptly, or complete assigned work. An excellent way to demonstrate reliability is to submit all required documentation on time, keep commitments, and follow instructions.

12. Integrity

Most firms search for people with integrity and honesty, particularly those in sales.

Companies want to know whether they could trust you with confidential information such as trade secrets, customer savings, and other sensitive company data; if you list this in your job application, the employer may ask you to provide examples of times you showed integrity in a work situation.

13. Adaptability

Adaptability is an essential skill most companies look for in their employees. Adapting to different situations and circumstances is a great way to demonstrate how well you’ll fit into a role.

If you’re willing to learn something new every day, you might learn about things outside your field. This could help you become a better employee overall because it gives you a broader perspective on what makes a good worker.

14. Attention to detail

The attention to detail attribute refers to how well you pay attention to details such as accuracy, completeness, correctness, efficiency, reliability, timeliness, and thoroughness. You must always ensure that what you are doing meets the requirements and standards your organization and customers set.

Summary

Your resume is one of the essential tools you have in your job search arsenal. It’s your chance to make a great first impression and sell yourself to potential employers.

But what exactly do recruiters look for when they review resumes? And how can you make sure your resume stands out from the competition?

Our team of experts has all the answers. We can help you polish your resume until it shines, ensuring it catches the attention of recruiters and enables you to get that job interview. Ready to get started? Contact us today!