How to Get a Recruiter to Open Your Resume

It's not easy to get your resume noticed in this job market. Spamming companies with unsolicited resumes doesn't work. The best way to get a recruiter to read your attached resume: Put the job title in the subject line and summarize your qualifications for that job in the body of your email.

The reality. A recruiter will not be likely to open an unsolicited resume. Recruiters are focussed on the job opportunities they are trying to fill right now.

I just posted a new job. My Blackberry buzzes every few minutes with messages from people applying to the job. This happens anytime I post a job with the word "sales" or "project manager" or "QA" in the job title.

It's a rush job order. I need to call the best applicants right away for an intial telephone screening which could lead to an interview. Every applicant has attached a resume. I wish I had time to open every resume but I don't. Here's how I decide which resumes to open first:

Don't spam. If I see a long list of email addresses in the Send To box I'll problably consider the email a spam and ignore it.
Put the job title in the subject line. If the job title appears in the subject line I'm going to read your email. If the subject line says something generic like "Resume" or "Job Application" its going to be filed our resume database.
Summarize your key qualifications. Briefly introduce yourself then write 5 or 6 bullet points to prove you are qualified for the requirements of the job. If you've convinced me that you're qualified I'm going to look at your resume.

You're one step closer to an interview. You've peaked my interest. Your resume is as impressive as your introductory email. I'm going to give you a call. Hopefully we can get the ball rolling for an interview.

Next Post >

Comment by Ralph Leon on February 19, 2010 at 1:50pm: You bring up two really important points. Be Detailed and simple. I think anyone who just sends out a resume blindly is already making a bad impression on the recruiter. Recruiters are flooded with applications especially with the current condition of the job market. Quality not quantity. Enjoyed the post Tim, an important subject simply put. Keep it up!

Comment by Tim Collins on February 19, 2010 at 2:05pm: Appreciate your comments. We see many candidates that are very qualified but cannot get recognized because of their submission process. At the end of the day we just want to link people with opportunities.

Comment by Paul Alfred on February 20, 2010 at 4:32pm: I seriously think that your recruitment model is flawed if in 2010 Recruiters still get resumes breaking down their in boxes or filling their databases that have nothing to do with the Requirements they are working on ... Our model totally prevents that. "The Best Candidates are Not on the Market" ... They are happy working at your Client's Competition. Need I say more....

Comment by Tim Collins on February 20, 2010 at 7:00pm: Thanks for your comments. Do you mean you only recruit passive candidates?

Comment by Paul Alfred on February 23, 2010 at 11:07am: Yes, when our clients calls us they have been unable to fill the role on their own efforts. We target only very difficult requirements across the Career Spectrum and Industry Sectors.

Comment