Hiring is about elimination

- Here's a zinger. The hiring process isn't actually about selection. It's about elimination. Yep, when a recruiter gets 250 resumes for their open req, they need to first narrow down that list to a reasonable number to interview. And elimination activates a completely different set of processes in the brain. When narrowing down, recruiters look for obvious ways to weed out candidates, and many job seekers unknowingly make this easy for them. Here's how to avoid being eliminated in the early stages of the hiring process. First, don't let the great stuff get lost in the good stuff. Many job seekers believe it's best to include every possible accomplishment or detail on their application or resume, but this is a major mistake. A hiring manager will spend eight to 10 seconds max reviewing your qualifications before making a yea or nay decision, so you can't expect them to spend time wading through everything, then pondering where you might fit. You must do the work for them. Focus on your skills and accomplishments that will solve their most pressing problems and leave out the meh skills that bring your overall average down. The goal of the resume is to land an interview, so there'll be plenty of time to expand later if you don't get eliminated now. Second, focus on what's relevant, not what's most impressive. You likely have many achievements that you're proud of, and that have helped you land roles in the past. While these might be a good place to focus your current job search, be sure to check that they're the most relevant to the role you're applying to, particularly if you're making any type of career switch. Sometimes an accomplishment or skill from several years ago or even a volunteer role might be what catches a hirer's eye. Know your audience and lead with what they want, which will guarantee you have a chance to fill in the rest later. Third, put the punchline first. While you likely have many stories to share about how you're qualified, no one will be interested in listening unless you have a strong hook at the beginning. So, when crafting a resume or interviewing, start with the strongest part first to capture their curiosity, and then fill in the details once you grab their attention. For example, once I know you've saved the largest client in the firm, I'm going to be very interested in understanding how you did it. Fourth, speak their language. Industry terms can vary, so take care to tailor your documents and responses to most closely reflect your audience's expectations. This'll require some research on your part, but psychologically, you'll connect more with someone who uses familiar terminology and examples. And in a job search, this'll matter. For example, take care not to use acronyms that don't translate outside your previous field or company. If something's confusing or unclear, a hiring manager may just move on to the next candidate. If some of these concepts are new to you, then the good news is, you have some space to improve your strategy to become more competitive and nail your next job search. The little things do make a difference when competition is high.