What employers look for in 7 seconds
The 7-second scan
Busy managers often skim a resume in seconds before deciding whether to read it properly. In those few seconds, they're checking:
- Is it easy to read? Clear headings, plenty of white space, one page.
- Can I contact this person? Phone and email at the top.
- Are they available when I need them? Days and times.
- Do they have what the job needs? Skills and experience that match the ad.
- Did they take care? No spelling mistakes, no messy formatting.
What gets a resume put aside
| Mistake | Why it hurts |
|---|---|
| Spelling and grammar errors | Looks careless |
| An email like partyking2009@… | Looks unprofessional |
| Three pages, tiny font, no headings | Too hard to skim |
| The same resume for every job | Doesn't match what they asked for |
| Missing phone number or availability | They can't call you or roster you |
| Photos, age, religion, full address | Not needed in Australia — leave them off |
What makes a resume stand out
- A short career objective that names the type of job
- Skills with proof, not just a list of words
- Bullet points that start with action verbs
- Words from the job ad (more on this in Module 3)
Action step
Find a job ad for one of your target jobs. Write down the top 3 things it asks for. Your resume needs to show those 3 things clearly.