You’re not alone. Thousands of job seekers face the same struggle, sending resumes but never hearing back
Introduction
“You keep applying for jobs, but your inbox stays empty. Sound familiar? Applying for jobs but no response? Discover common mistakes, ATS filters, and expert job search tips to improve your resume and get recruiter replies.
Finding a job in today’s competitive market has become very challenging. You keep sending your resume, but you don’t receive any responses. You apply on multiple job portals, websites, and even send your resume directly to recruiters—yet nothing seems to be working. Why? Have you ever thought about it? Let me explain.
I have been working as a Technical Recruiter since 2016, and I source more than 500+ resumes per day. I know exactly how companies and recruiters shortlist candidates.
On average, a recruiter spends only 6–10 seconds scanning a resume to decide whether it’s a good fit or not. Why so little time? Because recruiters receive hundreds of applications for every job posting. They simply don’t have the time to guide you on how to prepare a resume that will get shortlisted.
Below are some key steps that will help you get more responses from recruiters.
Step 1: Resume Summary / Professional Summary / Introduction
- Always begin with your total years of experience. Keep your introduction concise, around 10–15 lines, highlighting your top skills and expertise.
- Always mention your domain expertise (e.g., Healthcare, Banking, IT, Insurance, Telecom, Mechanical, Electronics, Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace, Biomedical, etc.). Many resumes get shortlisted based primarily on domain experience.
- Keep your resume neat and professional. Recruiters don’t prefer overly fancy designs. Remember—you get a job based on your skills, not on your resume’s appearance.
- Submit your resume in Word format rather than PDF. Why? Because every company has its own resume submission format, process, and ATS (Applicant Tracking System). Recruiters may need to edit or add details such as interview time slots, current location, visa/work authorization status, LinkedIn profile URL, etc. Word format is more ATS-friendly and saves recruiters valuable time.
Step 2: Technical Skills
- List your technical skills in a table format for clarity.
- Include a self-rating (e.g., beginner, intermediate, expert) to give recruiters a quick overview of your proficiency.
Step 3: Project History / Career History
- Clearly mention the Company Name, Employment Start Date – End Date, and Job Title (e.g., Junior, Senior, Lead, Manager, Director, etc.).
- Include the Location and Job Type (Full-time, Contract, Part-time).
- Write a short project description along with your roles and responsibilities. Keep it focused and relevant to the position you are targeting.
Step 4: Education Details
- Always provide complete education details—most people leave them incomplete.
- Include Degree Name, University Name, Start Date – End Date, and Location.
- A well-documented education section improves your credibility and helps recruiters validate your qualifications quickly.
Now you might say: “I already have the exact same type of resume you just described, so don’t teach me about resumes—yet I’m still not getting any response from recruiters or job portals. Why?” You simply need our help. Get our Job Search Support Services.
Avoid the following job application mistakes:
Always include all submission-related details in your resume or documents (Full Name, Current Location, Contact, Email, LinkedIn Profile URL, Portfolio, Interview time slots, Work Authorization Status, Etc) Missing information can hurt your chances of getting shortlisted.
When you receive calls from recruiters or see job postings on job portals, social media, or LinkedIn, try to apply immediately. Being an early applicant is critical because most clients only consider the first 5–10 resumes and then stop accepting new applications.
Why do recruiters accept only 5–10 resumes?
Staffing firms and recruitment agencies are usually allowed to submit only 2–3 of the best resumes to the client. The rest are stored in their ATS (Applicant Tracking System) or candidate pipeline for future roles. This is why applying early greatly increases your chances.
Recruiters work with strict TAT (Turnaround Time). They handle multiple job openings at the same time and must submit resumes quickly. If your application comes late, it may never reach the client.
Build strong recruiter relationships. Good cooperation between job seekers and recruiters improves recruiter response rates and can help you secure interviews faster.
💡 Resume tip: Keep your resume neat, updated, and in Word format for faster submission and higher chances of being shortlisted.
