Video 1 - How recruiters read resumes
Summary
TLDRIn this video tutorial, Margaret, an interview coach, reveals how recruiters quickly scan CVs in seconds, emphasizing the importance of making a strong first impression. She offers practical tips for job seekers to ensure their CVs are easily contactable, conventionally formatted, and tailored to the job description. Margaret advises customizing CVs to highlight relevant skills and accomplishments, using a powerful headline, and keeping the document concise, as recruiters prefer simple, easy-to-understand Word attachments that answer the key questions about a candidate's value.
Takeaways
- 😀 Recruiters often 'scan' CVs for a few seconds rather than reading them thoroughly due to time constraints.
- 📞 Make sure your contact information, including email and mobile number, is clearly visible at the top of the CV to avoid recruiters having to search for it.
- 📐 Stick to conventional formatting and design for your CV unless you're in a creative industry to ensure clarity and readability.
- 🚫 Avoid gimmicky formatting or including unnecessary graphics, photos, or links that could increase file size and download time.
- 🔍 Tailor your CV for each job application to match the job description and highlight relevant skills quickly.
- 📝 Write a clear and concise CV that answers the three key questions: who you are, how you can help, and your experience in solving similar problems.
- 🏷 Use a powerful headline that immediately tells the reader who you are and what you can do, tailored to the job you're applying for.
- 📉 Don't leave out important experience or information that is critical to the job you're seeking; recruiters spend about 10 seconds reviewing each CV.
- ✉️ Send fewer, more customized applications rather than many generic ones to increase the chances of your CV catching the employer's attention.
- 📑 Keep your CV brief, ideally two to three pages, as longer CVs may not be read in full by recruiters.
- 📈 Mention your accomplishments and quantify them with numbers or percentages to show your value and impact in previous roles.
Q & A
What is the main point of the video tutorial by Margaret, the interview coach?
-The main point of the video is to explain how recruiters read CVs and provide tips on how to increase the chances of a CV being considered for a job.
According to the video, what is the typical time a recruiter spends reviewing a CV?
-The video suggests that recruiters typically spend only a few seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to consider a candidate or not.
Why do recruiters not actually 'read' CVs but rather 'scan' them?
-Recruiters scan CVs due to the large volume they have to process daily under tight time constraints.
What is the first tip given by Margaret to make a CV easily contactable?
-The first tip is to ensure that your mobile number and email are clearly visible on the top of the first page of the CV.
What should be avoided in terms of formatting and design on a CV, as per the video?
-The video advises to avoid unnecessary or gimmicky formatting and design, and to not include personal pictures unless applying for a job in a creative industry or where a headshot is required.
What is the importance of customizing a CV according to the job being applied for?
-Customizing a CV is important because it helps the recruiter quickly identify if the candidate is a viable match for the position, increasing the chances of the application standing out.
What should a CV convey within the first 10 seconds to keep a recruiter's attention?
-A CV should convey a match with the job requirements within the first 10 seconds to keep the recruiter's attention and avoid being moved to the next candidate.
What does Margaret suggest using instead of a generic objective or introduction in a CV?
-Margaret suggests using a powerful headline that immediately tells who you are and what you can do, similar to a headline in a major news story.
Why is it recommended to keep the CV brief and to what length should it be?
-Keeping the CV brief is recommended because recruiters have limited time; the video suggests keeping it to two or three pages, with four pages being the absolute maximum.
What format should a CV be sent in, and why?
-A CV should be sent as a Word attachment because recruiters prefer easy-to-open formats and don't have time to download and convert special files.
Why is it crucial to mention accomplishments in a CV rather than just job responsibilities?
-Mentioning accomplishments is crucial because it provides evidence of the candidate's impact and value, showing more than just what tasks were performed.
What should be the focus of a CV's work history section according to the video?
-The focus should be on providing evidence-based descriptions with quantifiable achievements, such as percentages or numbers, to clearly show the candidate's value.
Outlines
😀 Understanding Recruiters' CV Screening Process
Margaret, an interview coach, introduces the video series on how recruiters review CVs and what candidates can do to increase their chances of being considered for a job. She explains that recruiters often 'scan' CVs for key elements rather than reading them thoroughly due to time constraints, and emphasizes the importance of being easily contactable with contact details on the first page. The video offers tips on CV formatting, customization to job descriptions, and the importance of a strong summary section to quickly convey suitability for the position.
📄 Tailoring CVs for Maximum Impact
In the second paragraph, Margaret discusses the importance of tailoring CVs to specific job applications to stand out. She advises against applying for jobs vaguely related to one's background and recommends customizing each CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences. She also touches on the brevity of CVs, the use of word attachments for easy access, and the necessity of quantifying accomplishments to demonstrate value to potential employers. Margaret wraps up by inviting feedback and previewing the next video in the series.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Recruiters
💡CVs (Curriculum Vitae)
💡Scanning
💡Contactable
💡Formatting and Design
💡Customization
💡Summary Section
💡Problem-Solving
💡Headline
💡Relevance
💡Word Attachment
💡Accomplishments
Highlights
Recruiters often 'scan' CVs for key elements rather than read them thoroughly due to time constraints.
Ensure your CV has easily accessible contact information at the top of the first page to avoid elimination.
Maintain conventional formatting and design to increase the chances of your CV being considered.
Avoid gimmicky elements and unnecessary graphics to keep the focus on your qualifications.
In the UK, including a headshot is not necessary unless applying for roles in the entertainment industry.
Customize your CV for each job application to demonstrate relevance to the job description.
A clear and concise CV helps recruiters quickly determine if you are a viable candidate.
Use a powerful headline to immediately convey your professional identity and aspirations.
Tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the job you're applying for.
Less than 50% of CVs received are relevant to the position, emphasizing the need for customization.
Avoid applying to jobs vaguely related to your background; focus on quality over quantity.
Keep your CV to a maximum of four pages to ensure it is read in its entirety.
Send your CV as a Word attachment for ease of access and compatibility with HR systems.
Mentioning specific accomplishments and quantifying them can significantly boost your CV's appeal.
Do not separate skills and accomplishments from job positions; keep them contextually relevant.
Providing evidence-based descriptions with work history demonstrates your value to potential employers.
Recruiters spend only about 10 seconds scanning each CV, so make every second count.
Include educational background, achievements, job experience, and career goals in your CV.
Avoid fancy formats; recruiters prefer easy-to-open Word attachments for efficiency.
Transcripts
hi it's Margaret bu interview coach and
welcome to my first video in the UR
hired video tutorial Series in this
video I will share with you how
recruiters read CVS and what will
increase the chances of your CV being
considered for a job you're applying for
so let's get
started the first thing to understand is
that recruiters do not actually read CVS
this important document you've spent all
day or all weekend crafting into a
master piece will most likely be given a
few seconds review before the recruiter
considers you for a particular job or to
eliminate you from the search don't be
offended or outraged about this it's
purely a consequence of the recruiter
having to process large amounts of CVS
every day often under unrealistic time
constraints so what is actually being
done is perhaps better described as
scanning a one glance for key elements
within a document that determine whether
you are to be called or deleted
as a job Seeker your first task is to
pass this CB scan here are a few tips on
what you've got to
do be easily contactable that means
mobile and email on the top of the first
page putting this information anywhere
else forces the recruiter to hunt for it
within the document and every additional
second he or she spends doing this
exercise increases the risk that they
will give up and move on to the next CV
on their list you must always make sure
that you have both your email and mobile
number clearly visible on your CV before
you send it to anyone you'll be
surprised by how many CVS I receive
where either email address or mobile
number are
missing tip number two be conventional
um in terms of uh formatting and design
unless you are in a creative industry
avoid any kind of unnecessary formatting
or design that could be considered
gimmicky use background that is white or
cream black font easy to read font type
Etc also unless you are a super model or
applying to a position such as an actor
or TV
personality that might require a head
shot there is absolutely no need to
include your picture at least in the
UK what you also need to remember is
that sending a picture only increases
the file size and download time of your
CV much the same goes for graphics and
endless URL
links probably my most important tip
would be to grab the readers attention
immediately you might be a
multi-talented and multi-dimensional
professional but to pass the CV scan you
need to be easily
categorized if you are looking for
different types of jobs it's a good idea
to have several different CVS with
different profiles or objectives as a
recruiter I sometimes get really
frustrated as candidate who apply for my
jobs do not seem to have read the job
description as they do not seem to have
many or any of the relevant skills
whatsoever so it's very important that
you customize your CV if you're a
project manager for example the
recruiter needs to understand this in
three seconds of opening your CV so make
it um obvious with your headings the
language you use and skills you list
creating tailor made CBS might seem like
a lot of work but if you want your
application to stand out in the crowd
it's essential that you target your CV
towards its intended audience your CV
has to grab the reader attention
immediately if a CV doesn't convey a
match within 10 seconds they move to the
next candidate that's why an effective
summary section will help the recruiter
identify if you are a viable candidate
for the position quicker when writing
your resume or CV you should always
remember that you are trying to convince
the employee
that you are the best person for the job
in order to do this your CV is your
personal sales letter using the proper
resume isn't just about the font the
type of paper the keywords or which
style of CV you need your task is to
write a good CV which is a clear concise
simple to understand document that helps
the recruiter to answer the three
questions who you are how you can help
them solve their problems your
experience in solving problems like
their instead of an objective that can
pigeon ho Hold You focus too narrowly or
an introduction that adds absolutely
nothing to your background for example
I'm a results oriented team player or I
can work on on my own initiative Etc use
a powerful headline instead tell them
who you are and what you can want to do
immediately come up with one powerful
sentence of phrase to grab your reader
attention think of this like a headline
to a major front page new story what is
going to grab that reader to want to
read further for example senior
marketing Communications manager with 10
years experience gained in the banking
sector obviously this headline will work
only if you are applying to work as a
market manager in the banking sector it
would work against you if you want to
work say as a partner marketing manager
in the technology sector what I also see
as a recruiter as well as interview
coach is that candidates often leave
very important and critical experience
or information that is pertinent to the
job they are seeking no recruiter has a
time to spend hours trying to figure out
your background as a job Seeker you must
be aware that recruiters spend only
about 10 seconds scheming through each
CV this is why it's absolutely
vital that if you fulfill the
requirements of the position you grab
the readers attention immediately with
these skills and
experience out of all the CVS I received
every day um always less than 50% are
relevant sometimes only about 10% of
applications mat the requirements of the
position I know there are a lot of
people out there who've been looking for
a job for a long time and the Temptation
might be to apply for any job that is
vaguely relevant to their background I
really recommend that you send less
applications but that you customize each
and every CV that you send out and
tailor it to the hot buttons that will
catch the employer or
attention identify your employers needs
and convince them that they need
you keep your CV brief and send it as a
word attachment also keep your CV to two
or three pages four pages at the
absolute maximum anything over that and
the recruiter will close it down before
they even begin to read the basics that
should go into a resume include a number
of key points employers are interested
in learning more about they include
educational backgrounds achievements job
experience and career
goals CVS generally are designed to
provide a per snapshot of person's
qualifications unless specifically
requested otherwise your CV should be
sent as a word attachment a recruiter
simply doesn't have the time to download
and convert special files also unless
you are a graphic designer or a
multimedia developer the recruiter no
recruiter will spend time go into your
homepage to download your CV even if you
are a graphic designer you still need a
world attachment CV so if you're are an
accountant engineer Etc do not try to be
fancy because no recruiter has the time
or desire to call up
homepage another top reason for avoiding
formats other than word or a plain text
file is that it becomes increasingly
more difficult to download into many HR
and recruiting systems often a recruiter
will not have a job for you today
if they cannot enter your CV into the
recruiting system they will be unable to
match your CV with any positions that do
become available unless specifically
requested otherwise recruiters are
looking for easy to open world
attachments mention your accomplishments
this is extremely important as many CVS
are just too Duty oriented your CV needs
to describe more than just job
responsibilities a good CV must also
detail your accomplishments mention the
business benefits and results
attributable to your direct effort
involvement or leadership I would also
recommend that you do not separate your
skills and accomplishments from each
position someone should be able to look
at it and know what you did at the job
and how long you were there for make
sure to provide specific examples of how
the company benefited from your
performance accomplishments should be
Quantified in pounds or Euros or
percentages for example I increase
productivity of Department from what to
what 1% 10%
90% the aim in giving evidence-based
descriptions with your work history is
to show clearly your value to the hiring
agent the moment his or her eyes hit
anything with a percentage mark or a
number it will glue them to your resume
to see what else you have done okay
let's wrap up this video I hope you
found my how recruiters read CVS tips
use ful I would appreciate your feedback
please let me know your comments my next
video is on why you are not getting
hired bye for now and see you
soon
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