5 reasons your resume isn’t standing out (here's how to fix it!)

"Finding a job is a full-time job!"  You may have already heard this statement numerous times or may be experiencing it first-hand if you are currently in the job search process. Being in the job-search mode as the job market appears to be tightening in many sectors can be very frustrating. It can feel like you are never going to find a job. Don't give up. We offer many resources to help you put your best foot forward.

If you have been applying for a while and are not getting the response you hoped for, check out 5 common mistakes why your resume may not be getting the attention it deserves:

1) Your resume is not hiring-friendly:

Hiring managers and recruiters see hundreds of resumes daily. You need your resume to stand out, but not in a bad way. Your resume should be readable, tell your professional story  and make it easy for recruiters to put you in the "yes" pile:

  • If your resume is more than 2 pages, you will need to shorten and make it concise.
  • Always have someone else proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Remove your picture (if you have one), marital status, birthdates and your address - include your city but your mailing address is unnecessary.
  • Remove career objective - if you are applying for a role that is your objective. You can replace this with a smartly-written, succinct career summary.
  • Try to incorporate quantifiable achievements within your role description. For example, instead of "Increased social media audience" maybe write "Increased social media audience by 20%y/y."

Since the pandemic, employers are much more tolerant of employment gaps. Ensure to provide a simple sentence to explain a resume gap. 

2) Resume is not tailored to the job posting:

It may feel like a lengthy process and perhaps a little disheartening in the end when your perfectly curated resume misses the mark and you get a rejection from an employer. You may be left wondering why you were not selected in spite of your pertinent skills and experience.  

Research shows that 83% of recruiters are more likely to hire a candidate who has tailored their resume to the specific job they’re applying for. On an average, recruiters only spend 6-8 seconds scanning a resume. In this time, it is hard for hiring managers to gauge your resume for skills and competencies and determine if you are a right fit, if your resume is not tailored to the expectations outlined in the job description. A resume that is not able to prove the exact skills and competencies that the hiring manager is looking for, is likely to not be considered. 

3) Disregarding ATS optimization:

Even before a resume reaches the hiring manager, most resumes are pre-screened in Canada through a sophisticated Applicant Tracking System (ATS) system. An ATS serves as a filter that parses every submitted resume and only forwards resumes that align with the required qualifications and keywords to the manager's dashboard. This scanning technology streamlines the process, ensuring hiring managers review only the most relevant applications that meet the job criteria.

So when it comes to stacking the deck in your favour, it is crucial to include the appropriate keywords and qualifications that match the job requirements, directly from the job description. Look out for technical and soft skills, certifications, degrees, languages, software technology etc., mentioned in the description and make sure to include them in your resume. As far as possible use the same words and technical terms as used in the job description.

For more information and tips on ATS, read our blog on "How to make your resume ATS friendly"

4) Formatting & typos:

Formatting can make a big difference from a hiring manager's perspective, when it comes to choosing a potential candidate. Statistics reveal that 83% of recruiters admit that they are more likely to hire a candidate who has a well-formatted resume. Think of it as the first impression you make on a hiring manager. A well-structured and presented resume acts like a roadmap for the hiring manager to seamlessly go through your skills, qualifications & experience. 

Considering "readability" of your resume is the key while formatting your resume for optimum outcome. Choose clear, legible fonts and font size. Clearly highlight your information using headings, sub-heading, bullet points and logical sections. You may be tempted to use jargons or fancy words to describe your work, but it is best to keep it simple, to the point and use common words. This is especially important if you want the ATS to scan your resume properly.  

5) Including soft skills:

Historically, hiring decisions primarily revolved around a candidate's academic credentials and technical expertise. However, as workplaces evolve to become more diverse, dynamic, and collaborative, the importance of soft skills has come into sharper focus. Soft skills are not only essential for organization's day-to-day success, but also have an impact on employee's job satisfaction, company culture and even retention. For instance, a Harvard study found that 36% new employees are likely to quit within the first year of their employment due to poor culture fit. 

According to LinkedIn, employers in Canada are increasingly focusing on prioritizing soft skills during hiring process. Research indicates that companies who have high soft skills proficiency within their organization report  a 15% overall increase in productivity. These skills include communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership, all of which are essential for thriving in today’s work environment. Showcasing one or more of these skills on your resume can help you get ahead in the competition. 

If you found these suggestions helpful, take this advice, and refresh your LinkedIn profile next.

Navigating the job market is challenging, but it’s far from impossible. By identifying common resume pitfalls and crafting a tailored resume that appeals to employers, you can greatly increase your chances of standing out and securing interviews. A well-designed resume aligned with local expectations is a key step toward unlocking new opportunities.

If you need help navigating the Canadian job market, reach out to our team. For more nearly 50 years, Agilus has served our candidate and employer networks, connecting job seekers with meaningful opportunities. We place nearly 10,000 job seekers in roles every year in Engineering, Technology, Professional/Office, and Light Industrial roles. Check out or open roles on our job boardcreate a job alert or build a profile so any of our more than 100 recruitment professionals can find you quickly when a role becomes available. Please follow us on LinkedInFacebookInstagram and Twitter for more job search tips and new roles.

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