With so many resumes to peruse, recruiters often spend just seven seconds deciding whether a candidate deserves a closer look. So how do you make those seconds count? We asked IQVIA recruiters for their insider perspective — and the good news is this: with clear structure and thoughtful storytelling, any resume can make an immediate impact.
“It’s really important to catch our eye with a great first impression,” said Cecilia Pantanetti, recruiter at IQVIA. “Those first few moments determine whether we lean in or move on.”
Read on for our recruiters’ top tips to make them want to keep reading.
Your resume should feel effortless to navigate. Clean fonts, consistent spacing and intuitive sections help recruiters understand your story at a glance. “Start with a professional font, and keep your resume simple and clean,” said Ashley Sloan, senior recruiter at IQVIA. “If I have to work to understand it, that’s already a barrier.” Clarity benefits more than human readers. Resume screening technologies also rely on predictable structure to correctly parse your experience. A clean layout ensures both technology and recruiters can quickly interpret your background.
A standout resume is all about outcomes. “Recruiters are far more interested in achievement-based resumes than task-based ones,” said Nikhil Agarwal, director of Talent Intelligence & Analytics at IQVIA. “Don’t talk about your daily tasks. Instead, talk about the revenue you influenced, the efficiency you created or the problems you solved.” Strong resumes make impact visible. Below are some examples of achievement-forward statements:
Reduced onboarding time by 30%
Increased client retention by 18%
Delivered a cross-functional project two weeks ahead of schedule
Streamlined a process that saved hundreds of hours annually
Those details tell a story at speed.
Tailoring your resume to a role still matters, but copying phrases directly from a job description can dilute your authenticity. “Although it can be a tempting shortcut, try to avoid copying and pasting phrases from the job description,” Nikhil said. “Resume screening technology has become much more sophisticated over the past few years. It looks for meaning, not just matches.” Instead, Nikhil recommends identifying the capabilities the role requires and showing how you’ve used them in real situations. Context beats repetition every time.
A clear, focused resume tells recruiters that you value precision, respect their time and understand how to communicate impact — qualities that matter in every role at IQVIA. Check out our video for more top tips!
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