By Alizabeth Adkins, Senior Recruiter
If you’re working with a recruitment agency to help you find new job opportunities, one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of success is to format your resume properly. Recruitment agencies are often the first gatekeepers in the hiring process, and they receive a high volume of resumes. To stand out, it’s important to ensure that your resume is clear and easy to read. Here are some tips on how to properly format your resume when working with a recruitment agency.
Keep it concise: Your resume should be a maximum of two pages. Be concise in what you write and make use of bullet points to highlight your experience and achievements.
Use a well-structured format: Use a standard format for your resume and make sure the information is presented in a logical and easy-to-read order. Use a clear and legible font throughout.
Use a professional header: Make sure your name, contact information, and professional social media handles (like LinkedIn) are easily visible at the top of your resume.
Quantify your achievements: When listing your experience and achievements, use numbers and percentages to quantify your impact. This will help to make your experience more tangible to the recruiter.
Highlight relevant experience: Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for, and highlight the experience that is most relevant to the position.
Avoid using graphics: While graphics can be visually appealing, they may not be applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly. Graphics might appear distorted or not be properly read by the software recruiters use to initially scan resumes.
Proofread your resume: An unprofessional-looking resume that contains spelling mistakes and grammatical errors can make a bad first impression on recruiters.
In conclusion, formatting your resume properly can make a big impact on your chances of being noticed by recruitment agencies. With a concise, clear, and easy-to-read resume, you can increase your chances of getting through the initial screening process and onto the next steps of the hiring process. Good luck in your job search!