Ask Altis: 7 Ways to Get Noticed by Recruiters and Hiring Teams

Content drawn from our Ask Altis guide for job seekers.

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Ever feel like your resumé is falling into the void? You’re not alone. In this edition of Ask Altis, we’re tackling the most common (and frustrating) job search struggles, straight from real candidates like you.

From tailoring your resumé without rewriting it 10 times, to asking questions that actually impress in interviews, here are some practical tips for getting noticed — and getting hired.

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1. “My resumé is solid... so why am I hearing crickets?”

Dear Qualified (But Crickets),

We’ve seen this more times than we can count. You’ve got the skills. The experience. The work ethic. But your inbox? Empty.

Often, the challenge isn’t your experience — it’s how that experience is being presented.

Here’s the thing: even a great resumé can get overlooked if it doesn’t tell the right story for the right role.

Quick fixes that work:

• Use a strong headline. Right under your name, include your professional title or branding statement.
  
  • Example: Executive Assistant | Supporting C-Suite leaders with precision & discretion

• Tailor it. Pull keywords straight from the job ad and mirror them in your bullet points so your resumé passes both the recruiter and the ATS (applicant tracking system). And make sure your bullet points start with action verbs and focus on measurable outcomes, instead of just listing your tasks.

• Reorder smartly. Lead with your most relevant experience, not just the most recent.

• Connect the dots. Don’t assume the fit is obvious; spell it out. Link your past roles to the new opportunity by highlighting transferable skills and outcomes that align with the job.
  
  • Example: Instead of “Managed guest check-ins at a hotel.”
  • Try this: “Delivered 5-star service in high-pressure environments – skills now applied to client-facing tech roles.”

• Drop the robot voice. Ditch the “results-oriented team player” line — make it real and human.

Bottom line from our recruiters: “Even the best experience can get overlooked if it’s not clearly aligned. Make the connection easy.” – Lauren Fink, Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner

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2. “Do I really need to customize my resumé for every job?”

Dear Customizing on a Time Crunch,

Yes… but it doesn’t need to eat your weekend. Think of your resumé as a solid foundation. The core stays the same, but with a few quick tweaks, you can build on it to speak directly to each role.  

Focus on three key areas: your headline, your top bullet points and the keywords that match the job posting.  

It should take just 10–15 minutes, and sometimes that small effort can make a huge difference.  

Your 10-minute customization checklist:

• Update your headline or title

• Refresh your top two bullet points

• Add relevant keywords from the job posting

• Update your Core Skills or Competencies section

Want to go one step further? Save resumé versions by theme — client-facing, data-focused, leadership, and so on. Future-you will thank you.

Bottom line from our recruiters: “Tailoring doesn’t mean rewriting. It means being intentional about the details that matter most.” – Tammy Banfield, Sr. Recruitment Partner

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3. “I’ve got the skills… but how do I show them?”

Dear Trying to Stand Out,

Most resumés say what someone did. The ones that stand out show how they did it.

Showcasing your work can be a smart way to set yourself apart from other candidates who might overlook this step. Even in non-creative fields, a simple portfolio can speak volumes.

Underrated ways to show your work:

• Add a case-scenario-style bullet. Describe a challenge, what you did and the result.

• Link to a project or a short write-up in your LinkedIn profile.
  
  • ‍TIP: Just pop the link at the top of your resumé or beneath a relevant role (i.e., “View portfolio here”).

• Use LinkedIn’s Featured section to highlight real examples — presentations, dashboards, process docs and projects you’ve completed.

Bottom line from our recruiters: “Most people tell us they’re skilled. Few actually show it. That’s your edge.” – Eric Myers, Sr. Recruitment Partner

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4. “What’s a strong interview question to ask at the end?”

Dear Ending On A High Note,

Your final question is a chance to leave a lasting impression. Skip the generic stuff and ask something that shows you're thinking like a future teammate.

The best questions reflect curiosity, alignment and insight — and they often get your interviewer thinking, too. To show that you’re genuinely interested and have done your research, try asking about the impact the role will have, the team or company’s goals and challenges and what success looks like.

Try asking:

• “What would success look like in this role six months from now?”

• “What’s something the team’s excited to improve this year?”

• “Based on our conversation, it sounds like [X] matters most. That’s where I thrive — does that align with what you’ve seen in top performers?”

Bottom line from our recruiters: “The best interview questions aren’t about you — they’re about showing you’re already thinking like part of the team.” – Crystal Boudreau, Sr. Account Executive

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5. “Is my resumé design hurting my chances?”

Dear Stuck in the Resumé Past,

If your resumé still looks like it was designed in Word 2003… it might be time for a refresh. A cluttered, over-styled or outdated format can hold you back. Recruiters and applicant tracking systems scan quickly, so make sure your resumé works for both.

Today’s resumés are all about clarity, structure and story. You don’t need fancy visuals — just clean, consistent formatting that is easy to read (or scan) and puts your impact front and centre.  

Design rules that matter:

• Keep it clean: stick to black text, a white background and legible fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Helvetica).

• Ditch text boxes and fancy templates that might confuse applicant tracking systems (ATSs).

• Prioritize white space and bold section headers. Let your content breathe.

PRO TIP: Be cautious with Canva-style templates. They might look polished, but many include columns, text boxes or graphics that ATS systems can’t read, which means your resumé might not make it through. When in doubt, keep it simple.

Bottom line from our recruiters: “A modern resumé isn’t about flashy design — it’s about telling your story clearly and confidently.” – Brittany Kraus, Sr. Account Executive

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6. “I made it to final interviews... and still didn’t get the job. What gives?”

Dear Close But Not Chosen,

First of all, huge kudos. Getting to the final round means you’re doing a lot right. But the last interview is less about proving you can do the job and more about showing how you'll fit in and contribute. Small shifts in approach can make a big difference.  

How to nail the final round:

• Show you’ve been actively listening by referencing earlier parts of the convo.

• Mirror the interviewer’s tone and body language to build rapport. Research shows that mirroring — subtly reflecting someone’s behaviour or speech patterns — taps into our innate preference for familiarity, making us feel more comfortable and connected. In fact, a study in the Wall Street Journal found that negotiators who mirrored reached agreements 67% of the time, compared to only 12.5% for those who didn’t.

• Ask thoughtful questions like, “What are you most looking forward to handing off?” or “Any gaps I can clarify?”

• And yes, follow up! A strong thank you note can reinforce your fit for the role while leaving a lasting impression.

Bottom line from our recruiters: “Close strong, and the next ‘almost’ might just be a yes.” – Maya Shaw, Recruitment Partner

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7. “I’m starting fresh. Where do I begin?”

Dear Starting Fresh,

Before you send a single application, take a step back. Get really clear on your story — what you bring to the table and what kind of work energizes you. Candidates who take the time to gain this clarity are better able to articulate their value and connect it to what employers want. Plus, you’ll be better able to develop a strategy for your job search, rather than mass applying and hoping for the best.

Start strong by:

• Honing your answer to the question, “What’s the common thread in my experiences and where do I want to take my career next?”

• Narrowing your focus to 1–2 role types

• Updating your resumé, LinkedIn and elevator pitch to match

• Reconnecting with your network (without asking for anything)

• Knowing your differentiator and leading with it.
  Examples:
  
  • “Whether it's with tech, operations or leadership — I’m the bridge that keeps projects (and relationships) on track.”  
  • “I get results by listening first. Whether it’s clients, stakeholders or peers — I figure out what people actually need and build from there.  
    

Bottom line from our recruiters: “Before you can stand out, you have to know what you stand for.” – Cerys Pearce, Talent Engagement Specialist

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Got a job search question?

Ask away — seriously. From awkward moments to resumé dilemmas and everything in between, no question is too small (or too weird). Email us at candidatecommunity@altis.com, and we might feature your question in the next edition.

Looking for your next role? Explore open opportunities on our Job Portal.

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