What One Executive Looks for in a Resume Before Calling a Candidate for an Interview

Whenever a position is open in our company and I ask the HR department to list the job opening, I get almost 40 resumes. I then go through the large stack sitting on my desk and try to find the five best ones.

Something that you should consider is that I am very busy and I really don't have time to sit and go through every resume but I do look at each one - but maybe not the whole thing. So that means if your resume is cluttered and has a long obnoxious objective line, I throw it in the trash. In fact, when I go through the resumes, I pull my trash can close and start glancing and tossing.

If your resume has a lot of typos - it gets trashed.

If your resume is in the typical Microsoft Word format - it gets trashed unless you have 5 or more years experience in a similar position you are applying for. I am sick and tired of that same old Microsoft Word Resume format and I know I am not the only one.

If your resume is on colored paper like, lime green - trashed.

If your resume uses a crazy font - trashed

If you begin your work history with a fast food job you had in high school - trashed.

If you give me a reference that is a close relative to you - trashed.

If I read on your resume that you have "computer skills" and there is nothing to explain further of your "computer skills" - trashed. In this day and age you have to explain in great detail when computer experience.

If your resume is on high quality tan colored linen paper - I look intently at the resume simply because if someone is willing to spend $5 on the quality of paper, then it deserves my attention. Almost every time, that candidate gets the interview.

I prefer resumes that are short, simple and to the point. Don't make me read a book. First page experience and education and second page references. No more.

Lastly, I once had a stack of resumes sitting on my desk and one of them was a folder. It caught my attention and I pulled it out of the stack from the middle. I opened it and inside was a cover letter, the resume and references. It was very elegant and very professional. I immediately sat it aside to the pile that I would call for an interview. When the candidate came in, he was wearing a suit but looked like a douche bag. After I spoke with him he seemed very smart, answered all my questions and had plenty of experience. If I had seen him on the street, I would never have thought that I would hire him to work for me. He is my favorite employee because he works hard and doesn't complain and performs for the company. If he had sent me a Microsoft Word format resume - it would have been trashed but the folder and impressive presentation got him the interview. So, I guess the best advice to you is this SHORT, SIMPLE, PROFESSIONAL.