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.