What happens to a resume after you click “submit”?

A job search is no easy task—it’s almost a full-time job in and of itself.

As one of Accenture’s recruiters, I love helping people find opportunities to do awesome things they love. Our goal is to drive business forward by finding the brightest talent by connecting extraordinary people to exceptional opportunities.

One of the most common questions I get from candidates is how to increase the likelihood of getting a resume viewed.

There’s a good reason behind this question.

Most people don’t know what happens behind the scenes once a resume is submitted. It often feels like it goes into a black hole.

So, here’s the reality of what happens after you click “submit.”

The life of a resume

Our recruiting team is big, each with an area of focus, whether it be technology, strategy, consulting, digital engineering and manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics roles—and more. When we have an open role, we post the job description on our Accenture Careers webpage, where you can start your search.

Once you go through the application process on our careers page and click submit, one of our recruiters reviews your cover letter and resume.

If the role is the right fit, we will be in touch to schedule time for an initial screening interview. If it’s not the right fit, you receive an email directly from us. We keep your profile in our system for new opportunities that become available.

4 tips to help your resume stand out

Given that each recruiter is working on filling multiple roles and receives a large number of applications, there are a few things you can do to help your resume stand out:

1. Tailor your resume. Highlight your relevant work experience that matches the job description. It may take extra time to edit your resume every time you apply for a role, but the additional work can make all the difference. For example, if a role is looking for “workshop facilitation” experience and you have that skill, make sure you use those exact words in your resume.
   
   
2. Focus on your work experience. Make sure your work experience section is the bread and butter of your resume. Ensure it corresponds to the requirements of the specific role you are applying for.
   
   
3. Keep it simple. When it comes to formatting your resume, stick to standard fonts, and avoid pictures or logos. Focus on your work experience and skills. You can demonstrate your personality and creativity throughout the interview process.
   
   
4. Proofread. Check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors—and then check it again. Mistakes make a bad first impression about the effort you would give to the job.

Many roles have flexibility in terms of the skills and experience required. Even if the role you applied for is not the perfect fit, our recruiters are always looking for core attributes that lead to successful matches.

Ready to take the next step on your career journey and do work with long-lasting impact, every day? Join us.