Job searching can feel like a game of broken telephone—one person says “keep your resume short,” the next calls for detail, your career coach swears cover letters are dead, but job ads keep asking for one. It’s enough to make anyone wonder: what do recruiters and HR managers actually want to see?
At Novorésumé, we decided to end the confusion. We surveyed more than 200 HR leaders and recruiters in 2025 to find out what really matters to them when reviewing applications, cover letters, and online profiles. The results bust some long-held myths and serve up a few surprises that can give your job hunt a serious edge. Here’s what you need to know.
You’ve Got 15 Seconds (or Less)
Remember the legend about the “six-second rule” for resume scans? Turns out, it’s not so far from reality. Our survey shows 65% of HR professionals size up an applicant’s resume in 15 seconds or less—42% do it in under 10 seconds! For a deeper look, 62.9% say it only takes up to two minutes to decide if you’re invite-worthy.
How to use this: Make your resume easy to scan. Keep formatting clean with clear section headers, crisp bullet points, and white space. Get your best content—your biggest wins and recent jobs—right at the top. Don’t bury the lead: 79.4% of decision-makers look at work experience first, and they want to see real results, not vague claims.
Two-Pagers Rule (And Sometimes More)
That one-page resume “rule” is going the way of the fax machine. This year, 68.3% of HR pros prefer two solid pages, with only 21.8% wanting a single sheet. And yes, three-pagers aren’t taboo: 92% will read a longer resume if it immediately grabs them.
How to use this: Don’t squish your story into a single page with tiny text. Take the space to show your value, especially if you’ve got years of experience. For early-career folks, short and sharp is still fine—but if you’ve got the experience, don’t cut it just to fit a limit. However, make sure your opening page has a hook, no matter the length.
Skills-Based (Functional) Formats Are In
Move over, reverse-chronological—the skills-first resume is on the rise. Almost half (47.5%) of hiring managers now say skills-based layouts help them spot talent fast, outpacing traditional resumes (39.1%).
How to use this: Shifting fields or have a nonlinear work history? Lead with your core skills and group your best examples around them, even if those victories came from side projects or volunteer work. For roles or industries that are risk-averse—think law, finance—chronological works best, but everywhere else? Don’t be afraid to show your toolkit up front.
Cultural Fit Matters More Than Ever
Nearly every recruiter we talked to—98.5%!—said culture fit weighs into their decision, and 82.7% call it critical. But “job hopping” is still a sticking point: 85.2% flag frequent moves, though half will overlook them if you tick every other box.
How to use this: Weave the company’s mission or values into your application. If you’ve changed jobs often, offer a quick explanation (“Pursued growth roles,” “Moved for family reasons”). Address gaps up front—over two-thirds of recruiters (69.3%) say context matters, so don’t leave them guessing.
Cover Letters: Optional, But Often a Deciding Factor
Despite debate, cover letters aren’t dead—they just need to be good. Roughly 40% of HR pros skip them entirely, but 25.7% say a great one can push you over the finish line. HR managers read cover letters more than recruiters do.
How to use this: Unless told not to, always attach a cover letter. Use it to connect your experience to the company’s needs and inject some personality—don’t repeat your resume. If a job is sought-after, a sharp cover letter is your chance to stand out to that one in four who really care.
Your Digital Reputation Counts
HR teams now routinely check candidates’ online footprints—86.1% at least sometimes, and 27.2% do it every time. LinkedIn is essential (92.6% see it as important), and a personal website or blog can boost your odds further.
How to use this: Tidy up your online presence. Align your LinkedIn headline and history with your resume, polish your headline, and delete anything embarrassing on public profiles. Never fudge the facts; 86% of pros report catching lies, which can immediately sink your application.
Stand Out for the Right Reasons
Creativity is encouraged—if it shows off your strengths. 82.7% of pros like creative resumes so long as they’re focused and clear. Resumes with impact, like a “Key Wins” section or creative coding portfolios, stand out. What turns off HR? Typos, generic applications, and word salad like “results-oriented team player” with no evidence.
How to use this: Add a dash of personality—a highlights section, a case study, a splash of design if appropriate—but keep it professional. Double check for errors. Let your best work, not just your best words, do the talking.
Your Winning Resume Strategy for 2025
- Prioritize readability: two pages, crisp layout, bold headings.
- Don’t fear functional resumes, especially if you’re changing careers.
- Demonstrate cultural fit and explain your story clearly.
- Strengthen your LinkedIn—it matters more than ever.
- Always send a cover letter if possible; personalize it.
- Stay honest: HR is paying attention to the details.
No more “guess and hope”—use these real-world insights to build a resume that makes HR say “yes.” Want to up your game? Visit the Novorésumé Career Blog for more tips and apply with confidence.
About Andrei Kurtuy
Andrei Kurtuy combines academic knowledge with over 10 years of practical experience to help job seekers navigate the challenges of resumes, interviews, and career growth. Through the Novorésumé Career Blog, he offers actionable advice to simplify and ace the job search process.
