3 key takeaways
- On average, recruiters spend seven to nine seconds on initial resume screens.
- Recruiters and hiring managers spend longer (closer to 20 minutes) on vetted resumes.
- You can use ATS-friendly resume templates and formatting guidance
You may spend hours on your resume but the reality is you have a lot less time than you think to make an impression on a recruiter. On average, how long do recruiters spend reviewing a resume? As a recruiter myself, I can tell you it varies significantly for different companies and roles.
Here's what you need to know:
How long do recruiters spend reviewing a resume?
According to a range of surveys, and even studies using eye tracking devices, recruiters spend an average of just seven to nine seconds reviewing a resume.
Of course, how long recruiters spend varies widely. For roles with clear cut, technical requirements, recruiters may spend more time scanning to identify those specific qualifications; for a more senior role, we’re scanning for specific job titles that show progression in the field.
Why do recruiters spend only a few seconds reviewing a resume?
The average corporate job posting receives 250 applications! But for well known companies or remote roles, that number trends higher. Onsite or niche roles on the other hand, see fewer applicants. And recruiters are typically working on five to ten roles at a time, sometimes more.
Many of those applicants don’t meet the minimum qualifications for the role, so it doesn’t make sense for a recruiter (or busy hiring manager) to read through every resume. Given the large volume, they will quickly scan for a few seconds to vet and prioritize candidates worth a second read through.
Of course this depends on the role. For a role that has just 20 applicants or many job openings, a recruiter will probably deep dive into each resume given their limited applicant pool, and hiring managers will recognize they need to consider candidates who may not meet all of the requirements. But for a competitive role, most recruiters will screen resumes. So your resume needs to catch their attention in that initial screen.
Tips to help your resume pass the initial screen
1. Adjust your job title
Align your job title to the job family you’re applying for, within reason.
Example: An Operations Manager who is also the HR manager may want to use a title like “Operations and HR Manager” or “Operations Manager (HR, Finance, and Ops”).
2. Focus on relevance
Showcase your most relevant accomplishments and skills near the top of their resume, following a reverse chronological format.
Remember: longer resumes or more bullet points don’t necessarily strengthen your resume or leave a more positive impression!
3. Add keywords
Include essential job-related keywords in the job description or job ad that align with your skills and experience in your bullet points.
4. Add relevant details
Include a line about previous employers with information like size, industry, product or service, and major initiatives for that year.
5. Make it scannable
Make your resume easier to scan by:
- Using an “F” format, the most common reading pattern
- Avoiding multiple columns (single column templates are easier to scan)
- Ensuring there’s enough white space, etc.
The importance of a resume format in landing interviews
A well-organized resume will make it easier for the recruiter to see the most important information quickly. To improve hierarchy for easy scanning and readability avoid the following resume formatting faux pas:
- Not enough headings or bolded text for each section
- Graphics
- Crowded text (white space is your friend)
Help recruiters help you with an optimized resume format
As someone who works in recruiting, I would love to spend time getting to know every applicant—but that’s generally not the most strategic approach.
As an applicant, you can use this information to your advantage by structuring your resume content in a way that will catch the recruiter’s attention in the first seven seconds to give them a reason to keep reading.