7.4 Seconds! That’s all you’ve got to gain the attention of the hiring manager, convey the skills and experience required for the role and convince them that you’re the best fit for the position.

So, with that in mind, is your CV ticking off all the boxes or is there still some work to be done?

This article is going to highlight some of the must-know discoveries of an eye-tracking study conducted by Ladders in 2018. The study was carried out on a wide group of recruiters and hiring managers on duration spent reviewing resumes as well as recording their eye movements across the documents to gather the information they were looking for to decide whether they went in the call for an interview pile or the trash.

What the Study Unveiled

The eye-tracking study unearthed a clear demarcation between resumes that left a lasting impression and those that failed to engage recruiters effectively. Here are the key insights:

Layout Matters: Resumes boasting clear, well-structured layouts with distinct sections and prominently marked title headers garnered favor with recruiters. In stark contrast, cluttered designs with lengthy sentences, multiple columns, and limited white space proved to be off-putting.

F-Pattern and E-Pattern Reading: Resumes that harnessed the principles of F-pattern and E-pattern reading tendencies, such as using bolded job titles supported by concise bulleted lists of accomplishments, consistently captured recruiters’ attention.

Job Titles Hold the Key: Recruiters dedicated more time to scrutinizing job titles than any other element on the resume. Boldly highlighting your job titles can ensure they stand out prominently.

The Power of a Mission Statement: Including an overview or mission statement at the outset of the first page of your resume can offer recruiters a rapid glimpse into your aspirations and qualifications.

Clarity in Fonts: The choice of fonts plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual appeal and readability of your resume. Opt for clear, easily legible fonts to enhance its overall aesthetic.

Steer Clear of Keyword Stuffing: While the strategic use of keywords is crucial for navigating automated resume screening processes, it is vital to remember that your resume will ultimately be scrutinized by a human. Therefore, keywords must be judiciously woven into the narrative of your qualifications and experience.

Conciseness is King: When elucidating your accomplishments, favor concise, impactful statements over lengthy, convoluted descriptions. Simplicity and clarity are more likely to leave an indelible mark on the recruiter.

The Two-Page Rule: For experienced job seekers, the two-page resume guideline remains relevant. The eye-tracking analysis revealed that recruiters allocate as much time to the second page as to the first, provided that the first page succeeds in engaging them. Nevertheless, subsequent pages tend not to perform as robustly.

So, What Should You Focus On When Drafting Your CV?

Drawing upon the insights, here are the actionable recommendations to aid you in constructing an attention-grabbing CV:

Prioritize Readability: Given the mere seconds recruiters spend on each resume, prioritize readability above all else. Employ straightforward layouts and fonts, and eschew the temptation to cram your document with excessive information.

Highlight Job Titles: Employ the bold typeface for job titles and section headers to ensure these critical elements pop and instantly capture the recruiter’s attention.

Embrace Conciseness: Craft crisp, impactful statements highlighting your achievements. The objective is to make it effortless for recruiters to swiftly grasp the breadth of your qualifications.

Two-Page Format: If your professional journey spans several years and experiences, a two-page resume is entirely acceptable. Nonetheless, it is imperative to ensure that the first page is compelling enough to entice recruiters to explore the second.

Contextual Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords judiciously, ensuring they seamlessly blend within the overall narrative of your resume.

Remember the goal of your resume is to be invited to an interview, you should be honest, truthful and transparent but not be afraid to show off your skills, achievements and qualifications. Taking into consideration the job description, skim through your CV to ensure that you check off as many boxes of the skills and experience they are looking for and make sure that the information is clear and not hidden in a sea of text.

Get support, reach out to a resume professional or interview coach that can offer another set of eyes on the resume and spot something that has been missed or could be improved. You have 7.4 seconds to make this impression, so spending some extra time on each application can make the difference between being overlooked and invited.

If you’d like to get ready for your next career change, consider setting up a zoom call with me to find out if Interview Coaching could be the right fit for you. My discovery calls are completely free available seven days a week and well worth spending just 15 minutes of your day.

I look forward to meeting you and wish you the best of luck with your job hunt.

Charlie