---
title: "Expert: Take no more than 15 seconds on a resumé"
description: While the job market may currently favor employers, that doesn't mean finding the right permanent or contract worker for a position is an easy one.
---

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August 17, 2011

# Expert: Take no more than 15 seconds on a resumé

Written by: [Innovative Employee Solutions](https://blog.innovativeemployeesolutions.com/ies-blog-nb-24/author/innovativeemployeesolutions)

While the job market may currently favor employers, that doesn't mean finding the right permanent or contract worker for a position is an easy one.

When looking to hire new employees, companies can make a number of mistakes, such as judging a book by its cover - or resume. According to EBN Online contributor Carla Mahrt, a [human resources administration](http://innovativeemployeesolutions.com/wp/hr-administration/) shouldn't be too quick to determine whether a candidate receives an interview solely on the basis of his or her resumé.

In fact, Mahrt writes that research from experts estimated that 40 percent of the decision to hire a candidate is dependent upon "personal chemistry," which has nothing to do with a resumé's layout, font type, flow or numerous other factors.

Instead, she asserts that resumés should be used as a screening device. "I look at a resumé for approximately 15 seconds - checking educational background, prior work experience and any job-hopping history," Mahrt explains. "If the applicant passes this 15-second test, I set up a phone interview, where the real scrutiny begins."

Businesses should have no trouble attracting a healthy pool of applicants for any position, as the national unemployment is currently 9.1 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Tag(s): [Blog](https://blog.innovativeemployeesolutions.com/ies-blog-nb-24/tag/blog)

## [Innovative Employee Solutions](https://blog.innovativeemployeesolutions.com/ies-blog-nb-24/author/innovativeemployeesolutions)

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