In conversations, candidates will often ask how they can improve their resume. After all, a resume is a marketing presentation, and you are the product. So how do you market yourself to a recruiter?
First, keep in mind that while recruiters will read your resume quickly, they will read it. When you send a resume to an institution, it may rely on AI or other software to screen you, so key words are crucial. Before sending your resume to an institution or responding to a listing, add words from that listing to your resume to satisfy the bot. Recruiters care less about key words and more about responsibilities and results, so make sure you provide clear succinct details about your performance in your current and prior roles.
Typically, recruiters will do a quick run through your resume to see where you have worked and for how long. We look for titles, promotions, and what schools you attended. If the resume looks strong after a first review, then we read it more carefully. Recruiters read a lot of resumes. They will be much less likely to engage with yours if they have to search for basic details or spend time orienting themselves in your document. Resumes that are well organized, where jobs are bolded and dates are set aside and there is white space will make a better impression. The HBS resume template is a great example of what this can look like. Imagine how hard it is for us to parse out a resume where everything a candidate ever did is crowded onto one page in tiny font with little differentiation.
For each role on your resume, think about how you can demonstrate substantive accomplishments. If you’re a banker, recruiters will want to see what deals you’ve closed. To save space, consider a separate deal sheet.
If you’re applying from a hedge fund, describe the strategy, sector coverage, and responsibilities. If possible, include performance or individual investments where you had key responsibility and a successful outcome. If you are in marketing or investor relations, include statistics that point to performance and growth in the role.
Job titles only tell a recruiter so much. An associate at one firm might have very different responsibilities than an associate at another. Some analysts do little actual analysis; others have a broader role than the title implies. If you are originating and pitching ideas, recruiters (and employers) want to know that. You want to demonstrate the full breadth of your abilities. Include information on promotions and changes of title.
Details such as where you went to school, what you studied, and your graduation year are important. Many candidates leave off their graduation year to avoid appearing too junior or too experienced, and some even omit jobs. This is a mistake. Without clear dates, it’s difficult to accurately contextualize your experience, and employers need this information for background checks. Omitting your graduation year can also raise unnecessary questions about whether you completed the degree. Junior candidates hurt themselves by leaving it out, as they may be overlooked for roles they’re fully qualified for. Recruiters will ask for your graduation year anyway, so excluding it only limits your opportunities.
Of course, your resume should be free of typos, easy to read, and well-organized. Mistakes in your resume speak to a general lack of diligence that will make you a less appealing candidate. After all, if you can’t proofread one document, how will you catch mistakes in others? Proofread your resume by reading it aloud and then spellcheck it. Then read it backwards. The typos will jump off the page. Finally, ask a friend to proofread it.
The resume is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. It should be easy to read, so that recruiters and employers can follow your career story. If you need help organizing and formatting, consider using a template. The best resumes highlight core responsibilities, key accomplishments and results, and especially any promotions. Consider a separate deal sheet to save space and make your resume more visually appealing. Dates matter – do not omit work experiences or your graduation years. Details matter too – a typo on a resume can end an interview process before it starts. Get feedback from friends or trusted advisors to confirm that it’s easy to follow the story of your resume. That will open the door to more opportunities.
