The First 6 Seconds of Your Application

What Recruiters Actually Notice

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SCALIS EarlyCareers
29 May

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⏱ What Recruiters Actually Notice in the First 6 Seconds of Your Application

If you’ve ever felt like your resume was ignored, you’re probably right.

Most recruiters spend just six seconds skimming an application before deciding whether to keep reading. It’s not because they don’t care. It’s because they’re juggling dozens, sometimes hundreds, of resumes at once.

So what actually grabs their attention in those first few moments? And how can you make sure your resume doesn’t get passed over?

Let’s break it down.

1. Your Job Title and Headline

Recruiters want to know one thing right away. Are you a match for the role?

That means your current or most recent job title needs to be easy to find and relevant. If the role is for a "Product Marketing Manager" and your resume says "Marketing Generalist," they may not look further, even if you're qualified.

You don’t need to change your job history, but you should reframe your headline. Add clarity and keywords. For example:

Instead of: Marketing Specialist
Try: Product Marketing Specialist | SaaS | GTM Strategy

This gives the recruiter immediate context.

2. Location and Work Eligibility

Even in a remote-first world, employers still care about location. They want to know if you’re in a compatible time zone or legally eligible to work in their region.

Make this obvious near the top of your resume. A quick note like “Based in Austin, TX. Open to remote work. Authorized to work in the US” saves recruiters the guesswork.

3. Your Most Recent Experience

The top third of your resume matters most. That’s where recruiters look to understand what you’ve been doing and if it’s relevant to the role.

Make sure your most recent job includes:

  • A clear job title

  • Company name and dates

  • 2 to 4 bullet points with real accomplishments

Focus on results, not just duties. Think "increased retention by 20%" rather than "responsible for managing customers."

4. Skills and Keywords

Recruiters scan for specific tools and skills that match the job description. If they don’t see those terms in the first few seconds, you might get passed over, even if you’re a strong candidate.

Use a clear "Skills" section or weave keywords into your bullet points. Read the job post closely and mirror the language where it fits naturally.

5. Clean Formatting

This part gets overlooked but makes a huge difference. If your resume is hard to read, it probably won't get read at all.

Make sure:

  • Fonts are clean and consistent

  • Job titles are bolded

  • Bullet points are used instead of long paragraphs

  • There’s enough white space to avoid a cluttered look

Good formatting shows that you respect the reader’s time.

The Bottom Line

In just a few seconds, a recruiter is trying to answer three questions:

  • Can this person do the job?

  • Are they relevant right now?

  • Do I want to learn more?

If your resume helps them say "yes" to all three, you’ve already made it past the hardest part.

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In this episode of Career Hack, Brandon Amoroso sits down with Priscilla Philavong, Senior Technical Recruiter at Abnormal Security, to uncover what it takes to land your dream tech job. From the power of networking and mentorship to navigating AI in the recruiting process, Priscilla shares actionable advice for early career professionals and job seekers aiming to break into tech or elevate their careers.

Here's What You'll Learn:

🚀 Navigating Different Work Environments: How to decide between joining a startup or a large organization.

🤖 AI in Recruitment: How AI is transforming both the hiring process and job applications.

✨ Standing Out: Tips for making your application stand out in a competitive job market.

🤝 Networking and Referrals: Why building connections can help you skip the job application line.

⚠️ Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Mistakes job seekers make and how to avoid them.

🧠 Mentorship Matters: How finding the right mentor can supercharge your career journey.

🔑 The Power of Keywords: How to tailor your resume for high-volume recruiting processes.

📊 Job Market Realities: Balancing quality versus quantity in job applications.

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