Monday, September 29, 2014

The Most Important Six Seconds for your Resume

By: Kandice Thorn

I learned something incredible last week--a recruiter spends on average just six seconds looking at a resume.  Yes, you heard me right.  That meticulous document that you spent hours upon hours to perfect will get just a six second glance to determine whether you will move into the "yes (interview)" or "no" pile.


This means that you need to make sure the right things are jumping off the page in those six seconds.  Here are a few tips to make your six seconds count:

  • Stick to the one-page limit.  The second page will feel cumbersome and will not get even a cursory glance.
  • Make sure your resume is well-organized.  Use headings that stand out.  A well-organized resume is easier to skim.  Follow the samples in the mini-guide for examples of organizational structures that is easy to follow.  The samples also demonstrate an organizational scheme that is common in the U.S. and in the legal field in particular (this is useful because a familiar format will be easier to skim). 
  • Make sure the information you are including is important and relevant.  A resume is not a "throw in the kitchen sink" undertaking.  Be selective about what you include and make sure it is information the employer will care about.
Fordham students and alumni should feel free to reach out to me to discuss how to organize your resume so that your best qualities stand out.

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