Learn what recruiters look for in a resume—from green flags that get you hired to red flags to avoid. Real tips from a Spherion staffing recruiter on what makes a good resume.
Here's the thing: Recruiters spend about 7.4 seconds (really!) on an initial resume scan. In those seconds, recruiters are looking for early indicators that you can do the job. And oftentimes, the difference between a resume that earns a phone call and one that gets passed over comes down to a detail that’s smaller than you'd think.
I'm Kristen, and I've been working at a local Spherion office for three years. In that time, I've reviewed more resumes than I can count, made a lot of phone calls, and helped a lot of people land jobs they're proud of. I've also seen the same resume mistakes show up again and again, and these fixable mistakes are what keep great candidates from getting called back. So here's what I'd tell a friend sitting across the table from me who was looking for real staffing agency resume advice on how to stand out in a competitive market.
Green flags that make us pick up the phone
These are the things that stop us mid-scroll and make us reach for the phone (or our laptop). When a resume hits these marks, the decision to call or email is easy, and it’s made within seconds.
Clear, relevant experience
Within the first few seconds, we're asking “does this person's background match what we're hiring for?” Job titles that align with the role, a career history that shows forward movement (not necessarily in a straight line, but trending upward), and recent, relevant experience listed at the top. These all signal that you're worth a closer look.
Results, not just responsibilities
"Responsible for sales" tells us almost nothing. "Increased sales by 30% over six months" tells us a lot. Numbers catch our attention fast. Think about the outcomes you drove: reduced processing time, improved accuracy rates, managed a team of X people. Action verbs that put you at the center of the work—led, built, improved, launched—are much stronger than passive descriptions of what your job involves.
Clean, easy-to-read formatting
If we have to hunt for your contact information or parse through walls of text to find your work history, that's a friction point. Consistent fonts, clear spacing, and a logical structure make the job easier for us, and that reflects well on you. Make it easy to find what we need quickly!
Relevant keywords used naturally
We're not robots scanning for exact phrases, but we do notice when a skills section aligns with the job posting. Industry-specific terms, software and tools you're proficient with, certifications or licenses should be easy to spot. Just don't overdo it. Keyword stuffing reads as oddly as it sounds.
Professional presentation throughout
A professional email address matters more than people realize. (Please don’t send over a resume from partygirl88@email.com!) LinkedIn profiles (with a current headshot and work history) are a plus. No typos in the first few lines. Dates that make sense. These things seem small, but they signal that you take your job search seriously and that you'll bring that same care to your work.
Resume red flags that get you rejected (or at least make us pause)
To be clear, most red flags come down to a lack of clarity or professionalism, not your actual qualifications. The good news is that nearly all of them are preventable with a careful review before you hit send.
Inconsistencies we can’t explain
Job titles that don't match the responsibilities described underneath them. Employment dates that don't add up. Skills listed that never appear in your actual experience. We verify references, and we've seen it all. Honesty is always the better path.
Unprofessional contact information
An email like hotmama2024@ or beersnbrews@ creates an immediate impression—and not a good one! A voicemail greeting that's a joke or plays music instead of your name makes you hard to reach professionally. These details seem minor, but they're part of what recruiters notice first on a resume and in initial outreach.
Vague or incomplete information
No dates on your jobs is an immediate red flag. "Various duties as assigned" tells us nothing. Unexplained gaps in your timeline leave us guessing, and we're not detectives! We typically don't have time to piece things together, so make it easy for us to understand your story.
A resume that has nothing to do with the role
Applying for an accounting position with zero finance experience and a generic resume clearly sent to dozens of postings tells us you didn't read the job description. Tailoring doesn't have to mean rewriting from scratch, but your relevant skills and experience should be front and center for the role you're applying to.
Job hopping with no context
Six jobs in two years with no explanation gives us pause. A pattern of stays under six months raises questions. We're not judging; layoffs happen, contracts end, companies close. But we need to understand the pattern. (More on this below!)
Typos and careless errors
One typo buried in ¾ of the way down the page? Probably fine. Three typos in your summary at the top? That's a problem. If the resume you're sending to represent yourself has errors, we start to wonder about your attention to detail on the job. Proofread everything, especially your contact information and job titles.
How to talk about job hopping without scaring us off
This comes up constantly, so it deserves its own section. We know layoffs happen. We know contracts end. We know sometimes a job is nothing like what was described in the interview. Job hopping with an explanation is very different from job hopping with radio silence. Here's how to explain job hopping to recruiters in a way that actually works.
- Add context directly on your resume: A simple note in parentheses goes a long way: "Customer Service Rep (Contract Role)" or "Warehouse Associate (Company Closed)." This preempts the question before we even have to ask.
- Address it briefly in your application email: Something like: "You'll notice several short-term roles; most were contract positions while I was seeking permanent work." That's it. One sentence.
- Be honest in the interview: "I left because the schedule changed and I couldn't make it work with my childcare situation" is a real answer that real people relate to. You don't have to over-explain, but you should explain.
What we're really wondering is: Will you stick around if we place you? Are you running from problems, or moving toward something? Do you have a pattern we should worry about? Help us understand the why, and most of the time, we can work with it.
What to write in your job application email (yes, we read those)
Your email often arrives before we've even seen your resume. A blank email with an attached resume makes you instantly forgettable, while a good application email can bump your file to the top of the pile. Here's what a strong application email includes:
- A clear subject line: Something like: "Application for Warehouse Supervisor - Jane Smith." Simple, searchable, professional.
- A brief introduction: One sentence: "I'm applying for the Warehouse Supervisor role posted on your website."
- Why you're a fit (two to three sentences): "I have five years of logistics experience, including two years in a supervisory role. I'm familiar with inventory management systems and have a record of improving team efficiency." Specific, relevant, concise.
- Your availability and contact info: "I'm available for an interview at your convenience and can be reached at [your phone number]."
- A professional sign-off: "Thank you for considering my application." That's all you need.
What you definitely shouldn’t do is send a blank email, send a super-long email, use overly casual language ("Hey! Saw your posting, thought I'd throw my hat in the ring"), or forget to attach your resume. That last one happens more than you'd think.
What you definitely shouldn't do
What you definitely shouldn’t do is send a blank email, send a super-long email, use overly casual language ("Hey! Saw your posting, thought I'd throw my hat in the ring"), or forget to attach your resume. That last one happens more than you'd think.
The small things that make candidates memorable
Most job search tips focus on the resume, but a lot of what sets candidates apart happens after we make contact. Here are some tried-and-true best practices for working with a recruiter.
Responsiveness
Communication during your job search is key! Answer your phone. Call (or email) back within 24 hours if you miss our call. Reply to emails promptly. Being easy to reach is a genuine green flag. Being hard to reach, especially early in the process, makes us wonder if you're still interested.
Enthusiasm that reads as genuine
There's a difference between enthusiasm and desperation. We notice candidates who ask thoughtful questions about the role, follow up appropriately after interviews, and express real interest in the opportunity without being pushy.
Preparation
Show up on time (or five minutes early). Bring extra copies of your resume. Have references ready. Know basic information about the company. These things signal that you'll show up prepared in the job, too.
Professionalism in every interaction
Be polite to everyone: the person at the front desk, the recruiter, the hiring manager. Dress appropriately. Send a thank-you note that references something specific from the conversation. These details distinguish you from candidates who simply go through the motions.
Enthusiasm that reads as genuine
There's a difference between enthusiasm and desperation. We notice candidates who ask thoughtful questions about the role, follow up appropriately after interviews, and express real interest in the opportunity without being pushy.
What I wish more candidates knew about working with recruiters
Working with a staffing agency is a two-way relationship, and the candidates who understand that tend to have a much better experience and better outcomes.
We want to place you!
Our job is easier when we find great candidates. We're rooting for you to succeed, and good placements lead to referrals and long-term relationships from our perspective. That puts us solidly on your side.
Honesty is always better
If you can't work certain hours, tell us now. If you lack a skill listed in the job posting, say so! We may know of roles where that skill can be learned on the job. If you're weighing other offers, let us know. Surprises at the offer stage help nobody.
We can help you improve your resume
Most recruiters will give feedback on how you can update or improve your resume if you ask. After all, we have the inside scoop on what local employers want to see. We've reviewed thousands of applications and have a pretty clear picture of what works and what doesn't. Take us up on that!
Follow up but don’t overdo it
One follow-up email a week after submitting? Great. Five calls in two days? Not great. Be persistent, not overwhelming.
We remember everyone
Even if this particular role doesn't work out, treat the relationship with care. We keep strong candidates in mind for future opportunities. Burning bridges with a recruiter limits your options in ways that can linger longer than you'd expect.
Recruiters remember everyone
Even if this particular role doesn't work out, treat the relationship with care. We keep strong candidates in mind for future opportunities. Burning bridges with a recruiter limits your options in ways that can linger longer than you'd expect.
The bottom line on getting noticed
Getting noticed by recruiters comes down to clarity, professionalism, and showing us you're the right fit for the job. Focus on the resume green flags, sidestep the red flags, and make it easy for us to see why you should be at the top of our call list.
Ready to work with recruiters who read every resume and care about your success? Submit your resume to your local Spherion office today; we'd love to hear from you!
