How to Send Your Resume and Instantly Catch the Eye of Recruiters

Before you send your resume, there are a few things you should know. For starters, finance is a very crowded job market. And that means your resume is in direct competition with hundreds of others all saying the same thing. Know how to write a resume that attracts the attention of recruiters and showcases your skills is just the first step in job hunting.

And don’t expect to find a job overnight. On average, a job hunt takes around 43 days. That's why you need to impress recruiters right from the start. A recruiter's inbox is usually full of messages with the same title and content. Most candidates forget to tailor their resumes and cover letters to the job description and attach a set of generic documents. You need a different approach to scoring your dream job.

Here are four tips to help you send your resume to recruiters and boost your chances at landing a job interview.

1. Learn Who's on the Receiving End

Before crafting your email, you’ll want to learn who will receive your message. It takes some time, but it's worth it. Other candidates will use a recruitment form or send their resume to a general email address. You should too if the job description instructs you to do so. If there are no such instructions, you can locate the person responsible for filling the position and send your email directly to them.

You should always be careful about sending unsolicited resumes to potential employers. But if you’re polite and targeted, you can make a great first impression and improve your chances for a response. How can you find out who handles recruitment at the company you're targeting?

Your first step is to check the organization on LinkedIn. Type the name of the company into the search bar and select “People who work for XXX.” You may need to do an advanced search to find the hiring manager at that company.

Once you spot a recruiter, have a look at their profile. Many HR staff will post the positions they are filling on their profiles. If you see the right person, you can send them a direct message. Your message should state why you’re contacting them and why they should add you to their network.

You can say that you’re interested in the open position. But you’ll also want to show that you’re knowledgeable about the company. Refer to an article or something that the hiring manager shared. You can also refer to a project or aspect of the company that you find admirable. Once you’ve connect with them on LinkedIn, you can send them your resume via email.

What if you’re unable to locate the recruiter responsible for the position? You can attempt to call the company and ask who manages their recruitment. The receptionist will most likely direct you to the right person. Sometimes, there's just no way to tell who will be reading your resume. If you're sending your application to the company's general mailing address, you need to do everything in your power to make your message stand out from the crowd. Otherwise, it might get lost among hundreds of other identical messages.

Download the free eBook, Getting There from Here: Career Path Stories from Finance Professionals, to get firsthand accounts of what it's like to have a rewarding career in finance.

2. Grab the Recruiter's Attention with Your Email Subject Line

You can opt for a general subject line for your email, but don't expect the recruiter to notice your message. Before you begin crafting your subject line, double check that you're following the instructions provided in the job posting. That's how you make sure that your message reaches the right person.

Most of the time, you'll be asked to write the title of the position and its reference number.

You'll still have some space left, so use it to demonstrate that you're an excellent candidate for the job. If you've got a skill or qualification that is required by the employer, you should mention it in the subject line of your message.

For example: “[position's title], [position's reference number], MBA graduate.”

Recruiters are bound to notice your message and instantly see your expertise as relevant to the offered position.

3. Write a Compelling Email

You'd be surprised to learn how many candidates send empty emails with application documents in the attachment. Don’t be tempted to do the same. Despite what you might think, recruiters read the emails they receive from candidates. When they receive a blank message, they won't enthusiastically download and read the resume. If the candidate didn't care to write a simple message, why would they deserve the recruiter’s attention?

Take extra care about the content of your email. Your message should motivate recruiters to download and read your resume. Your salutation should include the name of the hiring manager. Don’t lead with “to whom it may concern.” You should refer to the job posting and tell recruiters why you're applying for this position. Providing an explanation is especially important for candidates with an entry-level finance resume.

Offer relevant information about your qualifications or experience. You need to give the hiring manager a reason for inviting you to an interview.

4. Pay Attention to Your File Names

Few candidates ever think about the naming of their application documents. If you attach files bearing names like “CV1” or “resume_copy,” don't expect to make a great first impression. Sending such files implies that you don’t pay attention to detail or don't care about the job offer.

Here's how to name your files:

Name_Surname_CV.pdf
Name_Surname_CL.pdf

For extra relevance, add the employer's name to your files. That's how you show recruiters that you've tailored your resume and cover letter files to the job posting. You’ll also demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in the opportunity.

Key Takeaway

Nothing boosts your chances of getting more job interviews than a personalized message. Be sure to write an attention-grabbing subject line and compelling message. Also, make sure your documents are perfect. You don't want to spoil your first impression with a poorly formatted resume. Always tailor your resume and cover letter to match the job description. If you can accomplish that, a personalized email could be your passport to landing your dream job.