Resume Statistics 2020 from Resumeble

Here is an updated 2021 resume statistics.

Not getting as many job interviews as you like? Our professional resume writers dive into the possible reasons by poring over 3,000 resumes.

In our analysis designed to develop resume statistics 2020, we wanted to see how the resumes submitted to us compared with industry standards, to find out how well people know the basics of resume writing and if they understand why are resumes important to get their foot in the door.

But more than that, we also sought to learn how modern job seekers approach resume writing, including the average length of resumes, the comprehensiveness of the information contained, if they meet the ATS diagnostic criteria, and so on.

After our thorough investigation and fact-finding, here are some of the biggest issues that we’ve uncovered:

Average resume length: 2.8 pages

The One-Page Resume is a well-known rule. In fact, many organizations and recruiters let their applicants know beforehand that this is their preferred resume format. And yet, our resume statistics showed that many candidates don’t subscribe to this primary rule of thumb, and this hurts their chances greatly.

Average ATS score: 37%

Nowadays, companies have automated tools called applicant tracking systems (ATS that they scan resumes for specific keywords to determine if they’re worth passing on to a recruiter.

What we discovered in our resume statistics is that only 3% of the resumes scored above 85%, which is the minimum score requirement for many companies using ATS systems. Around 7% of the resumes notched between 60% and 85%, and 50% scored between 30% and 59%. A total of 40% of my resume earned a dismal score of 29% after our ATS scan.

You can probably guess where resumes that fail to meet the minimum ATS score go. That’s right—the trash bin.

Resumes missing “location” field: 51%

According to our resume statistics analysis, more than half of the resumes submitted to us was missing a location or address. Recruiters and hiring managers who come across this particular oversight are unsure of whether the applicant lives in another state or country, and this uncertainty discourages them from reading a resume any further.

Missing a LinkedIn link: 76%

LinkedIn has become the preferred medium for professionals to interact with each other. If you forget to link your LinkedIn profile to your resume (or worse, you don’t have a LinkedIn profile to speak of), you deny recruiters the chance to get to know you on a more personal level, which is often key to landing that all-elusive interview.

Other issues

Resumeble’s deep dive into our resume database also yielded a lot of common issues related to grammar, visual presentation, and branding, including excessive use of passive voice, lack of measurable accomplishments, missing or improperly listed core skills/areas of expertise, and so on. Statistics about resumes relating to these issues show that they only serve to lower a candidate’s chances of getting hired even more.

So what can you do?

Resume writing takes a lot of work, and you certainly don’t want all your effort to go to waste. The only way to overcome the issues enumerated above is to brush up on your knowledge of what a compelling resume should be. Here are the four best practices to follow when crafting your resume:

1. Limit your resume to one page, two at most

You need to trim the fat and make your resume as lean as you can. Resume stats suggest that most companies are willing to accept resumes up to two pages long, especially if the candidate has significant experience, but this is already pushing it. Only go over one page if your relevant accomplishments and experience do not fit in a single page.

2. Polish your LinkedIn profile

Resume stats reveal that 50 percent of Fortune 100 companies use LinkedIn to fill vacancies. Build a strong LinkedIn profile by ensuring all the details are accurate and up-to-date, use professional-looking photos, and incorporate the right keywords to make it easier for employers to discover your profile.

3. Review your resume for inconsistencies and errors, and review again

Your resume needs to be grammatically perfect, easy to understand, and properly formatted. Above all, it needs to highlight your skills and experiences in the best way possible. According to resume statistics, some of the best resume writing practices to keep in mind include avoiding passive phrases such as “responsible for…” and using active verbs instead, using only one font for the entire resume for uniformity, and making smart use of white space so your resume appears easy on the eyes.

4. Test your resume against ATS

As resume statistics prove, ATS software is inarguably a major hurdle to overcome in resume writing. You can check your resume against ATS by sending it to us first for a free, no-obligation evaluation. Simply upload your resume to our site and our team of experts will review it for you. Once your review is done, we’ll send you the results so you’ll know how your resume stacks up against global standards. You’ll get a free expert review complete with ATS score and insights within 24 hours or less!

Professional resume writing done right

Let us help you put resume statistics 2020 to good use for you. Our 1-on-1 approach lets you interact with your assigned writer directly so you can have a resume that’s truly tailored to your geographical and industry-specific requirements. Contact us today!