How To Get Your Resume Shortlisted in 2024 : A Step-By-Step Guide

Here are some steps that companies may follow during an automated resume shortlisting process:

1. Receive the resumes

Resume may be submitted to the HR department via the firm website's career portal. Online resume submissions are received and stored in a central repository. 

There may also be a tracking system that gives all of the resumes unique identifiers.

2. Run the resumes through a parser

A computer application known as a parser transforms the text on your resume into a format that is understandable and analyzed by computers. Your resume's education, experience, and skills are just a few examples of the sections that a parser may separate and identify.

This tool may help hiring managers save time by removing the need to read through every resume.

3. Search resumes for relevant keywords

Hiring managers search resumes using keywords to find suitable candidates more efficiently. For example, they may enter master's degree to identify which candidates have this qualification. The process works similarly to that of a search engine.

4. Assign relevancy scores

The computer software may assign a relevancy score to each different search criterion, such as your qualifications or previous job titles. All the resumes then receive a score that depicts how well they match the hiring requirements. The software then lists the resumes in order of relevancy.

5. Review desirable candidates

To determine who will be interviewed, the HR staff looks over the resumes that rank highest on the list. The resumes at the top of this list indicate that the candidates probably have the required training and experience.Selecting these candidates for interviews may result in a more efficient hiring process.

There is a relatively simple formula you can use to quantify your resume:

Action word + number = quantified achievements

Although you still need to give your statistics context, this formula explains what you'll be doing in the most straightforward way.

You must add some numbers to this formula. Numerous methods exist for locating numbers in your work experience. 

You can:

Show an increase.

• You can measure it if you increased revenue, productivity, staff retention, or any other aspect of your business.
• This is what percentages can achieve: "Expanded the Australian market by over 200%."
• Alternatively, you can utilize a numerical increase, but don't forget to provide some context: "YTD sales increased by $2M, exceeding sales goals by 10%." 

List a ranking, standing, or award.

• In this context, accomplishments don't always have to be quantifiable. Certain honors may qualify as measurable successes. It doesn't matter if you're the youngest, last, or first.
• The year you received the prize would be the context in this case. Companies want to know if you still have the abilities to attain this kind of success.
• It says nothing to mention an award you won six years ago. Conversely, taking a year off reveals a great deal to them.

List the frequency. 

• This is an easy method to put your duties into numbers. Indicate how frequently you finished a challenging task.
• This may occur every day: "Written and released four pieces every day."
• Weekly: "Each week, I finished a full database backup."
• "Created and executed 50 email campaigns per month and over $800,000 in revenue over a three-month period" is the monthly report.
• Quarterly: "In Q3 2021, we generated 2,000 new leads."
• Yearly: "Raised over $1 million in 12 months by organizing 20 events for 250+ attendees each."

Show volume. 

• This is another way to quantify your responsibilities. You can show the volume of work you completed, the number of employees you supervised, how many accounts you were in charge of, etc.
• For example: “Managed 80-100 inbound customer calls per day.”

As the simplified formula mentions above, you will need to include action words with each bullet point. Action words, sometimes referred to as power words, are verbs used to describe your skills, tasks and achievements. 

Your word choice matters greatly here. The right words can help to make the statement more impactful.

Don’t say, “Wrote six white papers that earned 25,000 downloads”.

Instead, say, “Authored six white papers which resulted in 25,000 downloads”.

The second statement is much more powerful. Powerful statements will get you more attention from the hiring managers. Choosing the right action words and quantifying can help make a lasting impression that has the hiring manager reach for the phone.

Organizations utilize computer systems called applicant tracking systems to handle the deluge of applications they get.

The ATS will read your resume, and then rank and score your qualifications vs. the job descriptions. A call for an interview will only be made to those candidates who score highly. You will significantly raise the chance that your resume will be at the top of the list if you adhere to these formatting guidelines. 

Top 5 Tips:

1. Do not use templates Use a standard Word document, and save in .doc format: File/SaveAs/Word 97-2003. Not all ATS systems can read .docx, PDF, RTF, and JPG formats.

2. Use simple formatting. Do not use headers (including for contact information), footers,templates, borders, lines, symbols (bullet points are fine) or shading.

3.Utilize terminology from the job description to personalize each resume to the particular role being sought. Applicant tracking systems do not support "one-size-fits-all" approaches. Include pertinent, targeted terms and phrases for the job you're looking for. Be specific -- i.e.,"Adobe Photoshop" instead of "image-editing software")

4. Use keywords and phrases in context. Incorporate them into descriptive achievement-oriented bullet points; do not just include them as a list of skills or competencies.

5. Edit carefully. The ATS will not recognize misspelled words. And, if your resume survives the ATS screen, it will next be reviewed by human beings so it must be Eror error-free.