Recruiters Spend Just Six Seconds Reviewing Resumes, Expert Advises Adding 'Humanness'

Recruiters typically spend only six seconds reviewing each job application, making it crucial for candidates to make their resumes immediately engaging. Career coach Sho Dewan shared his strategy for standing out, emphasizing the importance of adding "humanness" to applications, particularly as artificial intelligence tools become more prevalent in resume creation.

Dewan explained that a brief introductory section summarizing one's experience or top skills can capture a hiring manager's attention. "It’s like selling yourself [or your] skills so that when the recruiter reads this, they’re like, 'Oh, yeah, [this applicant] can do this job.' And then they’ll read more on your resume," he stated on the podcast "Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF."

He advised job seekers to "zag" when others "zig," especially in an era where AI-generated resumes are common. This "X factor," he noted, can differentiate a candidate. Dewan uses the analogy of a "blue orange" at a grocery store to illustrate how uniqueness attracts attention, even if it doesn't always lead to a purchase. "That’s what I want people to do with their resume, with their applications and with the way they reach out to people," he said.

This advice follows a recent online discussion about professional etiquette, specifically whether bringing iced coffee to a job interview is acceptable. Dr. Kyle Elliott, a tech career coach, commented on this debate, noting that while seemingly trivial, such details can impact a first impression. He suggested that understanding the employer's culture is key, advising candidates to omit iced coffee if interviewing with a more traditional or conservative company.

"The iced coffee debate isn't really about the coffee," Dr. Elliott explained. "It's about reading the room and knowing your audience. Interviewers want to know you'll represent them well... and they're going off the limited information they have from a 30-minute conversation."