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What Hiring Managers Really Want to See on Your Resume

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Are you in the middle of a job search? Do you wonder what goes through a hiring manager’s head when they get a copy of your resume? As Tempe recruitment experts, PrideStaff knows it’s actually more straightforward than you might think. To help you understand, here’s a look at a few essentials and how hiring managers decide who to bring in for an interview:

Qualifications.

A well-written resume won’t go very far without the skills and experience to back it up. In fact, those are the top factors hiring managers want to see. When they’re looking to fill positions, there are often two types of qualifications they have in mind: those that are essential and those that are nice-to-have. If you have both, then your chances of getting called for an interview are much greater.

Work history.

Once a hiring manager sees that you meet the qualifications for the job, they want to know what your work history demonstrates about you. In other words, does your background make sense for the job they’re trying to fill? Also, does it show positive career progression? Or is it full of job hopping or a stagnant career? Most hiring managers can tell within a few seconds.

Resume format.

Overall, the hiring manager will also be taking into account how your resume looks. Is it easy to read and understand the information presented? Does the document seem well-written and organized? Or is your resume, jam packed full of irrelevant details, and hard to scan thanks to tiny font and tight space? Keep mind, hiring managers often only look at resumes for a few seconds, so the faster you can get their attention and communicate your value, the better.

Location.

Even if you have the right-fit background and experience, hiring managers are going to think twice about whether to hire you based on location; for instance, if you’d have an hour commute each way. Instead, invest your efforts into applying for positions with travel times that makes more sense. If, however, there’s a dream job and you’d be willing to move closer if you got it, communicate that in your cover letter.

Ability to follow directions.

Hiring managers often provide specific instructions for candidates applying to a job. For instance, they might ask you to put the job title in the email subject line, or to provide a list of references along with your resume and cover letter. But if you don’t follow these simple directions, they will be left to wonder about your performance if hired.

Beyond your resume, there are a few other considerations hiring managers take into account. For instance, if you were referred by a mutual colleague, you’ll definitely score some points in your favor. Likewise, customization is key for your resume to be as effective as possible. So make sure you tailor yours to each position.

Need more help standing out to employers with your resume?

Call the experts at PrideStaff. We know what hiring managers look for on resumes, during interviews and when making hiring decisions. If you’d like the inside scoop and help on getting hired, contact our Tempe recruitment team today.

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