No matter how long it takes to perfect your resume, you only have a moment to convince the hiring manager to interview you.
And that moment is about 30 seconds long.
It sounds intimidating but it's the truth.
Even if you're the most well-qualified candidate, if your resume doesn't clearly reflect that, you don't stand a chance.
But there's no need to stress out over it!
Thirty seconds might not seem like much, but if you know the ins and outs of the 30-second resume rule, you can make that window of opportunity count.
In this article, we're going to cover:
- What Is the 30-Second Resume Rule?
- 30-Second Vs. 10-Second Resume Rule
- 8 Steps to Applying the 30-Second Resume Rule
...and more!
Let's jump right in.
What Is the 30-Second Resume Rule?
The 30-second resume rule is a concept you've probably never heard of before, but it's crucial for your job search.
Here's the deal: hiring managers decide if you're worth interviewing within the first 30 seconds of reading your resume.
Sounds harsh, right? But the numbers don't lie.
According to resume statistics, 1 out of 5 recruiters will reject a candidate in under 60 seconds without even finishing their resume.
And it gets worse - a further 25% of hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds reviewing an applicant's resume.
That means that you have less than a minute to convince the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job and that they should call you in for an interview.
30-Second vs 10-Second Resume Rule
The 30-second resume rule isn’t all that different from the 10-second resume rule that we’ve also covered.
Both tell us that hiring managers don't spend a lot of time looking at each individual's resume.
So why are they in such a rush with hiring decisions?
Mainly, that’s because hiring managers are basically drowning in resumes these days. We're talking about hundreds of applicants per single job opening.
They just don't have the time to read every word of every application.
Instead, they quickly skim through each resume, and they skim fast.
If a resume catches their eye within the first few seconds of glancing at it, it’s that much closer to making it to the job interview stage.
And if they keep reading it and like what they see, the next 30 seconds determine if you make it to the interview stage or not.
Let’s break it down like this:
- 10-second resume rule. The hiring manager skims over your resume and decides if it’s worth reading at all. Crucial elements here are the resume’s length, adding an eye-catching resume headline, and using a professional resume template.
- 30-second resume rule. The hiring manager actually starts reading your resume and decides if you’re a good candidate for the job. The contents of your resume do the heavy lifting here, such as your work experience, skills, and your resume’s formatting.
8 Steps to Apply the 30-Second Resume Rule
Now that you understand what the 30-second resume rule is all about, let's dive into how you can make it work for you.
We've broken down the process into several steps to help you along the way.
Ready to make every second count? Let's go!
#1. Approach It from the Reader’s Point of View
When making your resume, it's easy to get caught up in your own perspective.
But if you want to apply the 30-second rule, you need to step into the hiring manager's shoes.
Think about it. You’re sifting through piles of resumes, looking for someone just right for the job. What do you want to see?
Here are three things you’d likely consider:
- Resume format. Hiring managers want to find what they're looking for easily and this is where your resume’s format comes in. Stick to a reverse-chronological resume format since it’s the most popular format worldwide and it’s what hiring managers tend to expect.
- Work experience. This is often the first thing hiring managers read in depth. List your job roles in reverse chronological order and focus on achievements instead of responsibilities whenever possible.
- Relevant skills. Your skills show the hiring manager what you can do and how much training you might need, so, naturally, they read this section very carefully.
#2. Start Strong
You want your resume to give the hiring manager the most important information right away.
Like with the 10-second resume rule, start by writing a great resume summary or resume objective.
This is a brief paragraph that tells the hiring manager who you are, what you’re good at, and why you’re great for the role.
A resume summary is perfect if you've got some work experience already - it's a brief overview of your professional journey and top achievements. For example:
"Marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving client ROI, specializing in digital campaigns and brand strategy."
A resume objective, on the other hand, is better for recent graduates or candidates looking for a career change. It should state your career goals and what you bring to the table. Like this:
"Recent marketing graduate seeking to leverage strong analytical and creative skills to drive growth for the innovative team at XYZ Startup."
Next, it’s time to dive into the most crucial sections of your resume.
For most, that's work experience.
List your roles in reverse chronological order and make sure to emphasize your achievements over daily tasks. Hiring managers already know what your responsibilities are, so they’d rather read about how you can bring results as part of their team.
Keep in mind that if you're in a skills-based field like tech, you should consider putting your skills section first, then follow it with your work experience.
#3. Customize It
Your resume should perfectly match the job you’re applying for.
Instead of sending out the same generic document for every job opening out there, you should create a tailored resume for each application.
Start by carefully reading the job description. Look for any keywords and specific qualifications the employer is looking for in a candidate. Then, adjust your resume to highlight the qualities you have that match their requirements.
Make sure to tailor every section of your resume this way. For example, in your skills section, you should focus on the skills that matter most for the job, not all your skills.
#4. Be Specific
When it comes to applying the 30-second resume rule, vague statements won't cut it.
Hiring managers want concrete details that show exactly what you can do. This is why listing your impressive achievements does a lot more than mentioning your responsibilities.
But don’t just say how you "improved sales” – give specific numbers.
Did you increase sales by 20% or by 0.1%? Did you bring in five or 55 new clients in a quarter? These numbers paint a completely different picture.
So, quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. If you managed a team, how many people were on it? If you worked on projects, what was their value? If you saved the company money, how much?
For example, instead of "Managed social media accounts," try "Grew Instagram following from 5,000 to 50,000 in 6 months, increasing engagement by 300%."
Being specific doesn't just apply to numbers either.
Make sure you use precise job titles, software names, and industry-specific terminology. This shows you know your field and helps your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
#5. List Transferable Skills
The 30-second resume rule is less about piquing the hiring manager’s curiosity and more about showing them that you've got what it takes to excel in the role.
One way you can do this is by showing off your transferable skills.
These are skills you can use across various jobs and industries. They're especially important if you're changing careers or you’re a graduate with no work experience.
Most of the time, your transferable skills are likely to be soft skills instead of hard skills. These include:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Leadership
Make sure to list the ones that apply to you in your resume. But don't write long descriptions about how you have “effective communication skills that lead to tangible outcomes” - just keep it short and simple. Listing the name of the skill is more than enough for the hiring manager.
#6. Include Only the Relevant Content
Every word counts if you want the hiring manager to choose you in under a minute.
This means your resume isn't supposed to be your full life story - it's a targeted document showcasing why you're perfect for this specific job.
So, focus on including information that directly relates to the position you're applying for. This includes carefully selecting which experiences, skills, and achievements to highlight.
When it comes to your work experience, stick to what's relevant. Highlight your most recent and related experiences, typically from the last 10-15 years at most. For each role, emphasize the achievements and responsibilities that align best with the job you're targeting.
If you have an extensive work history, you can probably omit older or irrelevant positions, so long as they aren’t directly related to the role you're applying for. No one’s going to mind that you skipped over your part-time job as a teenager.
The same goes for other resume sections, such as your skills, education, and personal projects.
Only include degrees, certifications, and skills that are relevant to the job. If you have multiple degrees, focus on the most relevant one and skip generic information like where you went to high school.
#7. Answer Their Possible Questions
Your resume should be more than a list of experiences and skills.
Consider it a strategic way to present yourself so that you anticipate and address the hiring manager's concerns immediately.
What might make them hesitate about your application? Are there potential red flags you can proactively explain? Your goal is to clear up any doubts before they become obstacles.
For example, if the job requires a specific degree, make sure it's listed in your education section. If you took any classes that are relevant to the industry or job, make sure to mention them.
Also, never leave employment gaps unexplained. If you took time off, whether to further your education or to care for a family member, briefly address it. This prevents the hiring manager from filling in the blanks with possible worst-case scenarios.
If you're changing careers, explain why and how you’re a good fit. To make your case, highlight any transferable skills, relevant training, or volunteer work you've done.
By taking the time to proactively answer the questions hiring managers are most likely to have, you’re making it easy for them to see you as a strong candidate and invite you for an interview.
In those crucial 30 seconds, hiring managers are likely to toss your resume aside if it’s a messy, cluttered document. That’s no matter how impressive your qualifications are.
So, here are some tips to prevent that:
- Use white space. Don't try to cram everything onto one page if it means sacrificing readability.
- Set the page margins. Use margins of 1.0 inch on all sides to make sure your document is neat.
- Opt for bullet points over paragraphs. This goes double for your work experience section. Bullet points are easier to skim over and help break up dense text.
- Choose a professional font. Stick to something stylish but professional like Lora, Roboto, or Ubuntu. Your font size should be between 10 and 12 points for body text, with headers going from 14 to 16 pt.
- Use consistent formatting throughout. If you bold the job titles, do it for all of them. Keep your line spacing consistent too - between 1 and 1.15 is usually ideal.
- Add clear section headers. Use bold or slightly larger font to make section headers stand out and organize the sections in your resume. If you choose a resume template from an online resume builder, you can do this automatically and save time.
- Maximize space. A multi-column resume layout might be the best choice if you want to maximize space, but don't overdo it - two columns are usually enough.
- Proofread carefully. Some of the biggest no-gos for hiring managers are typos and grammatical errors, so make sure you run your resume through a grammar-checking tool and read it carefully before sending it.
Key Takeaways
Hurray! You’ve made it to the end of our article!
Now you know how to make your resume shine in just under 30 seconds.
Before you go, let’s recap the main points we covered:
- Start strong and customize your content according to the job application. Tailor your entire resume to match what the employer is looking for.
- Be specific and focus on relevant information. Quantify your achievements whenever possible and include only the most relevant skills and experiences you have.
- Highlight any transferable skills and answer potential questions the hiring manager might have about you, such as about your abilities to perform the job, your education, or any employment gaps on your resume.
- Make sure your resume is easy to read. Use clear formatting, appropriate fonts, and enough white space. Stick to bullet points over paragraphs to make information easy to skim and keep your resume concise.
