I have been on both sides of the resume review process. I've submitted hundreds of applications and reviewed resumes for hiring at the Franciscan University Homeland Mission program. Here is what I actually look for — and what immediately disqualifies a candidate.
Hiring managers spend 7-10 seconds on an initial resume scan. In that time they're looking at: is it clean and easy to read, does the candidate's experience level match what we need, and are there any obvious red flags. Everything else comes in the second read — if you get one.
Single column. Clean font (Calibri, Garamond, or Georgia at 10-12pt). Consistent formatting throughout. White space — don't cram every inch. One page for under 5 years of experience, two pages only if every line is necessary. Name and contact info at the top, clearly. No headshot, no graphics, no colors unless you're in a creative field.
The formula: Action Verb + What You Did + Result (with numbers when possible). Bad: 'Responsible for managing social media.' Good: 'Grew Instagram following from 800 to 4,200 in six months by implementing a consistent content calendar and engagement strategy.' The difference is specificity and results. If you don't have numbers, estimate. "Managed a team of 5" is better than "Team leader."
Typos or grammatical errors — automatic rejection at most places. Generic objective statements at the top ("seeking a challenging position where I can apply my skills"). Duties listed instead of accomplishments. Unexplained gaps (a note like "gap year, personal reasons" is fine). A resume that doesn't match the LinkedIn profile. Sending as a Word doc when PDF was requested.
Most companies use Applicant Tracking Software to filter resumes before a human sees them. ATS looks for keywords from the job description. Read each job description and mirror their language in your resume. If the job says "project management" and your resume says "managing projects," the ATS might not match it. Use the exact words they use.
Write one when it's asked for, when you have a specific connection to the role or organization, or when you're making a career pivot that needs explanation. Don't write a cover letter that just repeats your resume. Write one that adds context — why this role, why this organization, why now. Three paragraphs max.
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