I Reviewed 600 Resumes—Here’s What Actually Gets You Hired

Key Insights

• Only 2% of job applicants are selected for an interview, first impressions on a resume are critical (Novoresume).  

• When evaluating hundreds of resumes, clarity and relevance truly stand out.  

• Traditional formatting on resumes is more effective than creative layouts. 

• Quantifiable achievements significantly strengthen a candidate’s credibility.  

• Alignment between resume and LinkedIn profiles is essential for building trust.  

In recruiting, we’re constantly hearing about how “competitive” the market is—but what does that actually look like in real life?  

I recently reviewed nearly 600 applications in one day.  

According to recent data from Novoresume, only about 2% of candidates who apply for a job are selected for an interview. That means 98% of applicants don’t even make it past the first filter—not always because they aren’t qualified, but because their resume didn’t tell their story the right way.  

Your resume has one job: prove your value—fast. It’s not just about listing what you’ve done; it’s about telling a clear, compelling story that makes a recruiter want to learn more. 

Here are five resume elements that consistently stand out, and why they matter more than ever.  

1. Context Creates Clarity 

Candidates often assume listing a company name is enough. Including a brief company description, one concise line like “SaaS company focused on AI-powered logistics,” allows recruiters to immediately contextualize your role and contributions. It saves time, eliminates guesswork, and positions your experience within the right context.  

2. Simple Formats Win 

While it may be tempting to use colorful layouts or unconventional structures to “stand out,” the truth is that nontraditional formatting often has the opposite effect. Unusual fonts, graphic-heavy designs, or multi-column layouts can make your resume harder to read and process. 

In most roles, clarity and structure will always outweigh aesthetic flair. A clean, classic, chronological format allows your experience to speak for itself. If creativity is part of the job description (such as a Graphic Designer), it’s a good idea to link to a portfolio instead. For everyone else: keep it professional, polished, and scannable.  

3. Results Matter More Than Responsibilities 

Recruiters aren’t only looking for your responsibilities; we’re looking for what you achieved in your roles. Phrases like “improved efficiencies” are vague. Contrast that with “reduced processing time by 28%” and your impact becomes measurable.  

Quantifying results builds credibility. It shows that you not only understand your role, but your measurable impact on the business. In recruiting, metrics separate good candidates from great ones.  

4. Tailoring Makes a Difference 

A generic resume signals a lack of preparation. A tailored resume, even with just a few modifications, signals intentionality. This doesn’t mean rewriting your resume from scratch for every role, but it does mean including a brief summary that reflects the priorities of the specific job you’re applying for, emphasizing the most relevant parts of your experience, and aligning language with the role’s scope and goals. These small adjustments significantly increase your chances of progressing to the next round.  

5. Consistency Builds Trust 

Once a resume captures attention, the next logical step is a visit to the candidate’s LinkedIn profile. If the information is outdated, inconsistent, or misaligned with the resume, it raises questions.  

Your LinkedIn profile should reinforce and reflect the story your resume tells. Ensure job titles, dates, and accomplishments are aligned. Include a strong, clear headline that articulates your role and value. A consistent professional brand across platforms builds trust and supports momentum in the hiring process.  

Only a small fraction of applicants move forward, and in many cases, it’s not due to a lack of talent, but a lack of clarity. The most successful candidates give recruiters a reason to believe in their fit from the very first glance. They provide context, they show results, and they speak directly to the role.  

At BrainWorks, we advocate for top talent. In a market where only 2% of resumes lead to interviews, clarity is a competitive advantage. With more than 9 years of experience in executive recruiting, I’ve worked with hundreds of candidates and clients to build high-performing commercial teams. As the Director of Client Services for our Sales & Marketing Practice, I specialize in identifying talent that not only looks good on paper but also aligns with business goals, leadership dynamics, and long-term growth strategy. If you’re looking for talent that will impact your organization from day one, connect with BrainWorks.