What happens when you pass the "Seven-Second Impression Test"?

We all know résumés are supposed to pass the seven-second impression test. But what exactly does that mean?

Get out your phone and set a timer for seven seconds. We're going to take a look. But before you hit start, here's what you're looking for. Can you clearly perceive on the first page what is this applicant's bonafide expertise and talent?

What is your first impression?

Also, please note, this is an actual old previous resume sent by my client in 2017, which I have anonymized.

Hit "start."

OK Stop. Done.

Feel free to post your impression. What is this guy good at?

Here's what I gleaned in seven seconds.

1981 graduation, from high school.

Still taking "various courses" up til last year.

Positions Held:

Brander

Test Setup Technician.

Equipment maintenance.

Small engine mechanic.

Most all hand/power tools.

Soldering.

Equipment Maintenance Experience -- with long list of "wide variety of equipment."

Done.

My impression:

• This is a handyman. A jack of all trades.

• Not very organized or knowledgable about résumé format.

• Definitely not young.

I immediately recognized why he wasn't getting any interviews.

Even if the ATS passed his résumé along based on keyword hits, what he's put triggered age bias, was unclear as to his qualifications, and difficult for the human eye to glean the most important information.

Note: he was applying for positions as a geospatial analyst. Which actually was the most recent position he had held. Could you tell that in seven seconds?

When we got together for our initial Coach+ Writing session on Zoom, back in 2017, I soon realized my first impression was way off who he really is.

And that, my friends, is the true purpose of your résumé: to accurately represent who you are as a qualified professional.

---

Now, imagine you're the hiring manager, looking for an expert

Take a look at the new résumé this client wrote for himself, with my help.

Only this time, instead of a timer, use your stopwatch.

Hit "stop" when you're done reading.

Here's why.

When people say you need to "pass the seven-second impression test"--then what? What happens when you pass?

It means the reader is hooked. Gets drawn in. Like a good book, they read every word in detail to the end.

That's what passing the seven-second impression test means.

Put on your hiring manager hat.

Hit "start" on your stopwatch, and take a look. (NOTE: remember, this example is from 2017.)

Does he look like a handy man, jack of all trades?

Or does he look like a bonafide expert?

To be honest, things have changed a lot in nine years. Today, I would never put dates as year-to-year. Must include the month. Year-to-year is now a red flag, as it can be highly deceptive. But back then it was not. He found the job.

Now you know what the seven-second impression test is really about.

If you'd like help, schedule a free strategy session today and I'll give you a quote.