First impressions matter more than ever in today’s competitive job market. Research on hiring trends indicates recruiters review a resume for only 6–10 seconds before deciding if they want to look at it in any detail. In those moments, a resume needs to convey professionalism, relevance and clarity.
At CVPolis, we work with both job seekers and hiring professionals alike, and we understand the qualities of a resume that catch someone’s attention at first glance. In this article, we will outline exactly what hiring professionals focus on in those critical initial seconds.
- Professional Formatting and Readability
Recruiters look at the layout of resumes before evaluating the content. A clean and easy to read resume suggests professionalism, while a messy, inconsistent layout can mean a negative first impression.
What you want to be sure you cover?
- Clean consistent fonts like Calibri or Arial.
- Clear headings on sections (Experience, Education, Skills).
- Bullet points instead of dense paragraphs.
- Sufficient white space to allow for reading.
A good design doesn’t equate to over-styling. Recruiters value clarity and simplicity above all.
- Contact Section and Job Title
The first scan will usually involve checking who the candidate is and how they can be contacted. If the contact information or job title is unclear or missing, it is reason enough for the recruiter to move on.
What should be included?
- Full name.
- Telephone number with country/area code.
- Professional email address. Current location.
- Recent LinkedIn or portfolio link (as applicable).
You can cut back details like full home addresses or out-of-date links.
- Relevant Skills and Keywords
Recruiters are trained to look for keywords and skills in resumes that align with the job description, which is also how many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will scan applications.
Best practices:
- Create a resume for each role, copying the job title and the requirements.
- Add a specific skills section with 5–7 core skills listed.
- Include any industry-related tools, technologies, or certifications.
Generic descriptors like “hard-working” or “team player” are seldom impactful. Instead, provide measurable skills that are specific to the role.
- Work Experience and Achievements
One of the significant inquisition areas recruiters look at is experience, which is often one of the first areas the eye gleans. When viewing a resume, the eye often scans job titles, office names, and dates of employment.
To professionally display work experience:
- Experience should be listed in reverse chronological order.
- Descriptions should be brief; action focused and results oriented.
- You should use action verbs and quantify your methodology and results as much as possible.
- Highlight your responsibilities and outcomes relative to the position you are seeking.
For example, “Grew client acquisition by 20% through targeted campaigns,” is much stronger than saying, “Responsible for touching base with clients.”
- Education and Certifications
For entry-level candidates, education is often the first area recruiters review `For mid- and senior-level roles, education is likely secondary but still regarded’.
What to write about:
- Degrees and specialization.
- Relevant Certifications (e.g., PMP, AWS, CFA).
- Current or ongoing professional learning programs.
The recruiter isn’t interested in irrelevant classes or out-of-date recognition, so focus only on the qualifications you feel will improve your application.
6. Overall Alignment with the Job Description
The most critical factor in those first 10 seconds is fit. Recruiters want to see alignment between the resume and the role requirements.
How to demonstrate relevance quickly:
- Include a professional summary at the top tailored to the specific role.
- Place the most relevant experience and skills in prominent positions.
- Highlight transferable skills clearly if changing industries or roles.
This is where AI-powered tools like the CVPolis JD Matcher become invaluable ensuring resumes are objectively measured against job descriptions for accuracy and fit.
Common Red Flags Recruiters Identify Immediately
- Spelling and grammatical mistakes.
- Unexplained gaps in employment.
- Inappropriate lengthy resumes (more than 2 pages is not acceptable for most professionals).
- Personal information that is irrelevant.
- Vague descriptions and no measurable results.
- When this occurs, even the strongest candidates run the risk of rejection.
- Misspellings and grammatical concerns.
- Unexplained gaps between periods of employment.
- Unnecessarily long resumes (for most professionals longer than 2 pages).
- Unrelated personal information.
- Non-specific descriptions with no measurable outcomes.
- These things can ruin a highly qualified candidate’s chance of being the one chosen.
Final Thoughts
In recruitment, the first impression often determines the next step. A resume that is professionally formatted, keyword-aligned, results-driven, and tailored to the role has the best chance of surviving the initial scan.
With platforms like CVPolis, job seekers can go beyond traditional resume preparation. By leveraging AI-driven tools for JD matching, resume scoring, and skill-focused evaluation, candidates can ensure their profiles are both ATS-ready and recruiter-friendly.
In hiring, 10 seconds can define your future. Make those seconds count.