- HireMe Newsletter
- Posts
- Recruiter Insights and Resume Mistakes
Recruiter Insights and Resume Mistakes
*How to get past the 7-second resume test and what it means
Harshvi Shah
July 27, 2025
We recently spoke with an experienced recruiter to understand what separates a standout resume from one that gets instantly rejected. We want to relay the feedback to you so here it is.
🚫 First, the harsh truth:
Many resumes get rejected before a human even sees them.
And for the ones that do? Recruiters spend an average of just seven seconds on the first pass.
In other words, your resume needs to pass both the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and the seven-second human test, or it will not make it through.
✅ Here is how to stand out:
1. Start each bullet with a strong action verb.
Words like “analyzed,” “led,” or “implemented” are not just powerful — they are recognized by ATS systems as indicators of achievement and active involvement.
2. Skip the summary (if you are a recent grad).
Instead of a generic paragraph, use that space to highlight specific skills, measurable accomplishments, and job-relevant keywords.
3. But use a summary if you are changing industries or have years of experience.
A short, clear summary can help connect the dots and highlight your transferable skills and value proposition.
4. Tailor your resume for every job.
One-size-fits-all resumes do not work. Reuse the structure, but customize the keywords, skills, and achievements to align with the job description. ATS systems are trained to detect relevance, make sure your resume shows it.
🔍 What recruiters say still matters most:
We also asked what mistakes stand out the most, and the recruiter was quick to answer:
spelling and formatting errors.
These small mistakes make candidates look careless and unprofessional. In a crowded hiring market, that impression alone can get you rejected.
The advice? Always have someone else review your resume.
A second pair of eyes can catch typos, formatting issues, and clarity problems that you might miss.
And yes, cover letters still matter.
The recruiter shared that they have invited candidates to interview based solely on their cover letters. Why? Because a great cover letter helps them understand who you are, why you want the role, and how you fit with the team and company.
Use your cover letter to tell your story, show genuine interest, and explain why you are the right person for the job.
📌 Trends & Employment Landscape
In the U.S., companies like Capital One, Google, and Walmart are expanding tech hiring, particularly in AI and cloud-powered roles. Walmart now hires extensively through H‑1B visas and offers competitive compensation (e.g. engineers up to $286,000+) .
In India, AI and data science jobs are surging, though many firms suffer from a significant AI talent gap, with only 15–20% of the workforce adequately skilled, prompting shifts in hiring and training strategies
The U.K. and U.S. graduate markets are experiencing softer hiring trends, with concerns around AI and economic factors reducing entry-level listings, though mid and senior roles remain robust
Who’s hiring?
Technology:
Role | Location | Company | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
Junior Analyst – Program & Project Management (Device Security) | New Jersey, United States | NextGen | Bachelor’s degree or 4+ years of equivalent work experience. Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in project or program coordination/management. |
New York, United States | Wells Fargo | Currently pursuing an Associate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or other Technology STEM related majors Graduation Date between December 2025- June 2026 | |
New York, United States | Columbia University Technologies Analyst | Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent required. Minimum 2-4 years’ related experience. Define and conduct ongoing research for various products and emerging technologies. | |
London, United Kingdom | YouLend | A strong problem solving mindset and excellent attention to detail. Entrepreneurial mindset, with strong work ethic, high sense of proactivity, and can-do attitude. Experience with data manipulation tools such as MS Excel, SQL, PowerBI, or R (or willing to learn this). | |
Various locations, India | Tata Consultancy Services | 3-years full-time Graduates from B.Com, BA, BAF, BBI, BBA, BBM, BMS streams are eligible |
Consulting:
Role | Location | Company | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
Across the US | FTI Consulting | Current undergraduate degree, strong communication, PPT/Excel | |
Across the US | PwC | - Bachelor's Degree | |
London, United Kingdom | Lumanity | Degree in biologic sciences or in business (a PhD or MBA is desirable) Must possess strong analytical skills, problem solving mind-set and ability to think critically and creatively | |
London, United Kingdom | Horizon Strategy | A degree from a top university A* thinker-doer Experience of delivering high quality written reports and spoken presentations | |
Bengaluru East, Karnataka, India, India | Forrester | Academic excellence, Microsoft tools, communication skills |
Finance:
Role | Location | Company | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
(2026 Bachelor's/Master's graduates) Economics Consulting Analyst/Associate | New York, United States | Charles River Associates | Bachelor’s or Master’s degree candidates graduating December 2025/Summer 2026 with an academic focus on quantitative research (Economics, Business, Finance, Financial Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field); Completion of an honors thesis, research apprenticeship, or research seminar program is highly desired; |
London, United Kingdom | 7iM | A demonstrable interest in the investment management industry; some experience in product strategy, development and management; experience with the use of MS Office, in particular Excel | |
London, UK Basildon, UK | SS&C Technologies | A 2:2 degree or above in a STEM, computing or business-related subject. Strong written English and good communication skills | |
New Delhi, India | Boxified | Freshers or up to 1 year of experience (B.Com/BBA/BA preferred); Strong coordination and follow-up skills | |
Mumbai, India | Crisil | Candidate should be from Tier 1 B-school with excellent academic background; 2-6 years of experience in credit analysis, financial modelling, risk assessment in an organization of repute |
Hey you! Yes, you reading this all the way to the end, I’d love to know what you thought of this week’s edition. Was it helpful? What kind of other content do you want us to share?
Seriously though, reply to this email (even if it’s just an emoji or “more like this pls!”).
I read every single response and it genuinely helps me make this better for you. So don’t be shy, let’s build this together ❤️
P.S. If you just wanna say hi, that’s cool too. Connect with us on LinkedIn: