Video 1 - How recruiters read resumes

Summary

In 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

00:00

😀 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.

05:01

📄 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.

Keywords

💡Recruiters

Recruiters are professionals responsible for finding and hiring suitable candidates for job positions. In the context of the video, recruiters are depicted as individuals who have to quickly scan through numerous CVs due to time constraints, often spending only a few seconds on each to decide whether to consider the candidate for a job or not.

💡CVs (Curriculum Vitae)

CVs are comprehensive documents that summarize a person's educational background, work experience, and skills. The video emphasizes that despite the effort put into creating a CV, recruiters often only scan them briefly, looking for key elements that would make a candidate stand out or be eliminated from consideration.

💡Scanning

Scanning, in the video, refers to the quick review process recruiters use to skim through CVs for essential information. It's a method of 'reading' that focuses on identifying key points rather than thoroughly examining the entire document, which is crucial for job seekers to understand when crafting their CVs.

💡Contactable

Being 'contactable' means having your contact information easily accessible. The video stresses the importance of having one's email and mobile number clearly visible at the top of the CV to avoid recruiters having to search for it, which could lead to them moving on to the next candidate.

💡Formatting and Design

The video advises against using unnecessary formatting or design elements in a CV unless in a creative industry. It suggests using a white or cream background, black font, and easy-to-read font types to make the CV clear and professional, which helps in passing the recruiter's initial scan.

💡Customization

Customization in the context of the video means tailoring a CV to match the specific requirements of a job posting. It involves using relevant headings, language, and skills that a recruiter would expect to see in a candidate for a particular role, which is essential for making the CV stand out and be considered.

💡Summary Section

The summary section of a CV is a brief, impactful introduction that helps a recruiter quickly determine if the candidate is a viable option for the job. The video suggests that an effective summary can assist in grabbing the reader's attention and showcasing the candidate's relevance to the position.

💡Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is a key skill that recruiters look for in candidates. The video implies that a CV should demonstrate the candidate's ability to help an employer solve their problems, using past experiences and achievements to show how the candidate can be of value.

💡Headline

A headline in a CV is a powerful statement that immediately tells the reader who the candidate is and what they can do. The video uses the example of a 'senior marketing communications manager with 10 years of experience in the banking sector' to illustrate how a headline can effectively grab attention and convey the candidate's expertise.

💡Relevance

Relevance in the video script refers to the alignment of a candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications with the job requirements. It is crucial for a CV to be relevant to the job being applied for, as recruiters are more likely to consider candidates whose CVs reflect a clear match with the job description.

💡Word Attachment

A word attachment is a common method of sending a CV, which the video recommends due to its ease of use for recruiters. It suggests that unless specified otherwise, a CV should be sent as a Word document to ensure that it can be easily opened and read by the recipient.

💡Accomplishments

Accomplishments in a CV are specific achievements or results that the candidate has contributed to in their previous roles. The video emphasizes the importance of quantifying these accomplishments with numbers or percentages to demonstrate the candidate's impact and value to potential employers.

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