How to Ace the 7-second Resume Test

How to Ace the 7-second Resume TestHow to Ace the 7-second Resume TestThis post was originally posted on YouTern.We get asked all the time How do I get a recruiter to actually care about my resume? The answer is simple you have to pass the 7-Second Resume Test.Depending on who you listen to, it is widely believed that an applicant has between 6 and 10 seconds to impress the resume reader the recruiter.Here, then, is my version of the 7-second test and exactly what I look for, step-by-step, when I glance at a resume and determine pass or fail.Second 1 ConfidenceHow do you show confidence in a one-dimensional document? SimpleStart with your name in the header bold and pronounced. Then clearly show me your contact information, separated by lots of white space so I dont have to squint to find your email address. Next, show me a bulleted summary of your skills and not just a bunch of buzzwords I want a clear indication that you understand your strengths and how those may apply to my co mpany.Fail to impress me with a clear display of confidence and your resume wont last one second.Second 2 Social Media LinksLike many decision makers, I live in a digital world so I want to see links to your career-relevant social media profiles.Typically, LinkedIn and Twitter are enough to show a professional presence. If you would also like to send me to an About.me or similar, thats fine. Facebook and other personal sites, however, are of no interest to me and its always a red flag of sorts to see those links on a resume.Why do I care about your social media presence in second two of my resume review? landsee step one above by showing me where you live online, you reveal another level of confidence.Second 3 White SpaceI cant emphasize this enough white space counts, a lot.If your resume is packed into a document at 0.4 margins and 9 point fonts with no space between sections and paragraphs this shows me youre trying WAY too hard. Just like the person who cant let a single mom ent go by during a conversation without filling it with inane banter, your resume is screaming Im nervous please like meDont kill your resume in 3 seconds let the recruiters eyes bounce from section to section freely, and comfortably.Second 4 Too Much TextSimilar to the white space issue the use of way too many words is a resume killer.Long paragraphs and run-on sentences are another sign of anxiety, maybe desperation. You should be able to articulate your accomplishments in one line. Period.Do you really think a recruiter wants to read or has time to read a 1,200 word resume? They wont and in just the fourth second, that resume youve worked on for hours is in the recycle bin.Second 5 NumbersWhen I look at a resume, I dont care WHAT you did I care about your work ethic and whether or not you were good at your job. More specifically, I care whether youll be that good, or better, at my company. I care about performance.That means your resume must contain quantified statements lik e exceeded quota by 132%, Met deadlines in 97% of assigned projects and managed highly successful event for 500 donors. Even a more generic consistently in the Top 5% of my team is better than nothing and shows you understand how your performance is being measured.No quantified statements on your resume? Your resume didnt make it five seconds, and Im now looking for another candidate who gets it.Second 6 AchievementI have a theory about inferred contributionSimply put, this theory says that if you won awards, competed on a high level and were a high-impact contributor at your last position you will do the same at my company. Some of this can be articulated through the quantified statements above, of course. However, as I scan your resume I look for other signs that youre a high-achiever perhaps monthly or annual awards, acknowledgement by an industry expert or academic institution, being named to a Top list in blogging, digital or social media, or similar.Show me you are proud of your relevant accomplishments and in second six, you are well on your way to impressing me.Second 7 LeadershipAh, the final test is it clear that you embrace leadership in a team-focused work environment?This is the last hurdle. Have you been a leader? Do you embrace the idea of being a forerunner? Are you willing to stick your neck way outside your comfort zone to make a team better? Or are you the type that just does what youre told in the hintergrund?If I can tell you are the type that leads, regardless of the title on your business card you have passed my seven second test and are on your way to a phone interview, and perhaps a jobApply this seven second test to your resume. Then ask yourself will you pass, or fail?CEO and Founder of YouTern, Mark Babbitt is a serial mentor who has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Mashable and Forbes regarding job search, career development, internships and higher educations role in preparing emerging talent for the workforce. A keynot e speaker and blogger, Marks contributions include Huffington Post, Bloomberg News, Switch and Shift, and Under30CEO.