According to a recent study by The Ladders which used “gaze tracking” technology to follow recruiters’ gaze while scanning resumes, the recruiters spent only 6 seconds reviewing resumes and almost 80% of their resume review time was spent on the following data points:

Applicant Name

Current title/company

Current position start and end date

Previous title /company

Position start and end date

Education

Beyond these data points the recruiters only scanned the resumes for keywords to match their open position’s job description.

The conclusion – make these data points VERY clear. Chose an easy to read/scan format. Remember that how you format your resume reflects on how you organize your ideas. Make sure that the above details are well written and easy for the hiring manager to consume. Make it easy for the recruiter to read your resume and reach the “this is a fit decision”.

In my experience I have noticed another point that applicants often overlook when writing their resumes: how to present multiple positions within the same company. To the recruiter it can be misleading when quickly scanning resumes. If you were promoted or moved positions, make it very clear first that all those positions were with the same company. You may have held some of the positions for a year or so, and if you just list the positions and dates it may seem like you were job hopping. I find the clearest way to present this, is to have the company name at the top, with the total duration of time you worked there first, listing the positions you held below, with the most current position on top. Job hopping is a red flag. Companies want to see that you are committed and that they can count on you for at least a few years. Make sure that your promotion within a company will not be misinterpreted.

Read The Ladders’ full eye gazing study here.

Miki Feldman Simon, Founder & CEO IamBackatWork