Ladders latest research study reveals that 72% of high-earning professionals surveyed believe their resumes are above average quality, while only 56% claim familiarity with best practices in resume writing — so is there a clash between confidence and capability, or awareness that support is key?
New York, NY, February 11, 2020 – Knowing when something is past its sell-by date (like using the word Rockstar — sorry), is serious when using a resume to create that first impression. 68% of respondents confirmed updating their resumes within the last 6 months, with 64% considering changing jobs within the next twelve.
Ninety-one percent of respondents agreed that employers require resumes, and 92% agreed that an updated resume is important for job search. Despite this, only 53% of professionals surveyed claimed familiarity with how recruiters read their resumes, 61% with how hiring managers read their resumes, and 53% with how computer systems read their resumes.
Although 77% of respondents claimed overall confidence in their resumes, only 60% claimed confidence in their ability to write an effective resume unaided. 66% claimed to update their resumes either before starting a job search, or for each job they apply to.
Ladders professionals responded to the following:
“I’ve changed jobs most recently:”
In the past year 38%
In the past four years 34%
In the last decade 18%
More than ten years ago 10%
“I might change jobs in the next:”
30 days 15%
1-3 months 22%
4-6 months 13%
7-12 months 14%
Year or longer 18%
Not looking to change jobs 18%
“I last updated my resume within the past:”
Month 40%
Six months 28%
1 year 14%
2 years 10%
4 years 5%
10 years or more 3%
“How confident are you of your resume?”
Very confident 23%
Confident 54%
A little bit confident 20%
Not confident 3%
“Every employer requires me to submit a resume for a potential job:”
Strongly agree 66%
Agree 25%
Neutral 7%
Disagree 2%
Strongly disagree 0%
“My resume is above average quality:”
Strongly agree 27%
Agree 45%
Neutral 25%
Disagree 3%
Strongly disagree 0%
“I’m familiar with how computer systems read my resume:”
Strongly agree 18%
Agree 35%
Neutral 29%
Disagree 12%
Strongly disagree 6%
“I’m familiar with how recruiters read my resume:”
Strongly agree 18%
Agree 35%
Neutral 32%
Disagree 12%
Strongly disagree 3%
“I’m familiar with how hiring managers read my resume:”
Strongly agree 22%
Agree 39%
Neutral 27%
Disagree 10%
Strongly disagree 2%
“I’m familiar with best practices in writing a professional summary for a resume:”
Strongly agree 15%
Agree 41%
Neutral 30%
Disagree 11%
Strongly disagree 3%
“I’m familiar with best practices in writing bullet points for my resume:”
Strongly agree 22%
Agree 44%
Neutral 24%
Disagree 9%
Strongly disagree 1%
“I update my resume:”
Before I begin a job search 41%
For each job I apply to 25%
Only when absolutely needed 18%
Annually 16%
“I can write an effective resume for myself:”
Strongly agree 22%
Agree 38%
Neutral 29%
Disagree 8%
Strongly disagree 3%
”An updated resume is important for my job search:”
Strongly agree 60%
Agree 32%
Neutral 6%
Disagree 1%
Strongly disagree 1%
“An updated resume is important for my career even when not job searching:”
Strongly agree 36%
Agree 34%
Neutral 24%
Disagree 3%
Strongly disagree 3%
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Methodology: