7 Ways to Fast-Track Your Resume to the ‘Yes’ Pile

Your job search is full of obstacles to overcome…  not least of these is that recruiters have dozens of other applicants to consider for each resume you send.

Instead of getting lost in the crowd (and in addition to the “Show, Don’t Tell” theory we believe in so much), here are some ways you can fast-track your resume to the top of that recruiter’s resume pile:

Contact Them First

Many recruiters and HR professionals appreciate you calling or emailing them before you submit your application. That way, they will be on the lookout for your application or, at the very least, your name will ring a bell when they see it. Be strategic with your timing, though; don’t call them at 8:15 on a Monday morning when they’ll be crazy busy or 5:00 p.m. on a Friday when the only thing on their mind is going home.

Be One of the Few Who Follow Up

You might not be able to get hold of them on the first attempt, or they might not respond to your first email. But it’s okay to follow up on your messages as long as you don’t do it too often. Waiting at least a week is usually recommended, but it depends on who you’re working with.Don’t think of following up as bothering the recruiter; think of it as showing how much of a go-getter you are.

Get the Recruiter’s Name Right

Your ultimate aim here is to make a good impression, which won’t happen if you get their name wrong. Even if you’re looking at several different opportunities, make sure you know who you’re contacting each time and address that person appropriately. It is also critical to get their title, and their gender, correct.

Make Your Resume Catchy

Have a catchy personal profile or summary at the top that makes you sound interesting and committed. Recruiters read hundreds of profiles, and the more you can make yours stand out, the better. Don’t use the usual generic spiel and buzzwords—aim to think outside the box while remaining professional.

Prioritize Information

Your resume can only be one or two pages, so the details you include need to be maximally relevant and advantageous. The information recruiters are looking for to bump you up the queue are your key skills and experience, so internships and job experience should be prominent. Emphasize the responsibilities and skills you acquired at each role by listing them under each title.

Be Interesting

Hobbies and interests may not seem like the most critical section on your resume, but they’re still important. This is where you can show what you’re like as a person and what makes you different and fun. Don’t write about your run-of-the-mill hobbies like “watching movies” or “listening to music”; instead, include interests that give you a sense of uniqueness, traits that will help the recruiter remember you.

Apply Early

It shows dedication, organization and awareness if you apply long before the deadline. It also means your resume will be one of the first the recruiter sees, and if it impresses them, it makes their job—and yours!—a lot easier. When you decide you want to apply somewhere, don’t stall; get that application out as soon as possible.

Your resume has exactly one chance to impress. Diligently follow these steps… and get your resume on the fast-track to the recruiter’s ‘yes’ pile!