Could This be Why Your Resume is Not Making the Cut?

Resume reviewers claim that a resume only gets about 30 seconds or less of their time. Because 30 seconds goes by fast, you need to capture the reviewer's attention right away and wow him with your skills and experience, all while outlining measurable achievements and using targeted keywords. Here are three ways to gauge whether your resume may not be making the cut and needs overhauled.

You Use Fluff or Filler

Resume reviewers have trained themselves to look for fluff or filler, which is information that has no substance. You only get about 30 seconds. Do you want to fill it with information the reviewer isn't going to remember another 30 seconds after he reads your resume? Avoid using cliched words and phrases like "go-getter" or "think outside the box." These two terms almost tied — at 27 percent and 26 percent, respectively — for the worst resume terms according to hiring managers in a 2014 CareerBuilder survey.

Don't bore the resume reviewer with words he's probably read a thousand times. Instead, highlight those accomplishments that actually make you a go-getter or seasoned professional with actual data, such as the number of years you've worked in the industry or bottom-line numbers or percentages that prove your accomplishments.

You Use a One-Size-Fits-All Resume

Many job seekers make the mistake of only changing a few words in their cover letter and resume for each job, and then sending in those rubber-stamped job materials expecting to get an interview. Some even forget to change those few words.

It's not difficult to imagine what a resume reviewer thinks about a candidate who can't take the time to customize a resume and cover letter to fit the position he is trying to obtain. Each resume should be targeted to that particular job and include keywords from the job description and industry. Applicant tracking systems are designed to search for those keywords, and if your resume doesn't have them, it might not make it through the screening process.

You Don't Highlight Your Selling Points

The whole purpose behind a resume is to let the resume reviewer know what you can bring to the organization, or what it is about you that makes you better than the person next to you who is also applying for the same position. One way to do this is to place a skills grid under your contact information. Job search expert Mary Eileen Williams suggests including your most important skills in a section titled "Career Highlights." These skills should be relevant to that particular job and don't even need to be from your most recent work experience.

Before creating the grid, spend some time making a list of your significant achievements throughout your career, separating them into relevant skill sets. Then, pick the ones you think are most appropriate for that position. Reuse and adjust the list as you apply for different positions.

A resume overhaul may be needed if you find you are not getting interviews for jobs you feel are an ideal match for your experience and skill sets. Resume reviewers look at hundreds of resumes. To stand out, you need to ensure you're not selling yourself short with a lackluster resume.

Photo courtesy of Brand Ready at Flickr.com