The Ladders conducted a study to find out how recruiters review resumes. Researchers used eye-tracking technology to analyze how recruiters viewed resumes. Surprisingly, the average time it took for recruiters to form impressions about a candidate was six seconds.
Picture source
You must remember that six seconds are all that is required to complete a resume. This means that you must deliver a strong document that makes an impact. Liliana Roberts, a CareersBooster recruiter, says that the introduction isn’t the only thing you should be focusing on.
“Yes, the introduction is important. You shouldn’t assume that the recruiter will spend 6 seconds reading through the introduction. Personally, I scan the entire document and pay attention to the highlighted parts, such as bullets and bolds. I want to see the structure and get an immediate impression about the candidate’s qualifications. If the resume is too cluttered and messy, I won’t bother with it.”
How can you prove that you are the right project manager? Here are some tips to help you create the perfect project manager resume.
1. Write a suitable title
Who are you exactly? This is what the recruiter will be looking for when reviewing your resume. The resume title is a short phrase that identifies you as a candidate.
Consider it this way: If you were asked by a hiring manager to write one sentence about why you are the best person for the job, what would that sentence be?
Here are some examples of titles that have been successful:
2. Use numbers
Which of these sentences sounds better? Your accomplishments and experience should be demonstrated through numbers. Numbers are a great way to highlight your experience and provide precise information. What was the budget for your previous projects? Have you implemented a project management system that saved your company time and money? Mention the numbers!
Mention the number of views your promotional video received within a month if you worked on it. Write promotional articles or online press releases if you had to.
3. Mention Big Brands
Your resume will be more credible if it mentions trusted institutions. In less than six seconds, recruiters will notice brands like Best Buy, Coca-Cola and other big names in your field. Did you work on a startup that was a huge success? Are you featured in major publications? These details should be included in your resume.
Here’s a great example:
4. Do You Have a Gap In Your Work Experience? It’s not hard to explain!
What if you quit your previous job but the in-between-jobs period lasted more than a year? It is important to explain the circumstances and what you did during that time. Did you take online courses in writing? Did you have a blog? Did you travel?
If a recruiter notices a gap in your resume, they will want to know how you used it. Don’t wait until the interview to tell what happened. Interviews won’t take place if the resume isn’t clear on this point.
5. Avoid unnecessary information
These six seconds are important. You don’t want to waste a recruiter’s time by giving unnecessary details such as where you went to middleschool. The most important information about your education is what the recruiter needs, so make sure to include only the final steps of your educational journey.
Eliminate the objective from your resume. It is a waste of time to write generic sentences like “Experienced project manager looking for opportunities that will allow me to climb up the career ladder.” While you’re at this, focus on the things that you can do for the company and be precise.
It’s not necessary to mention y