I’m going to be very honest with you: It is easier to eliminate a resume than to bring a candidate in for an interview.

This may be shocking news to process, but it’s the cold, hard reality of today’s workplace. Most organizations receive more than 100 candidates for entry-level jobs and almost as many for higher-level positions. This means your resume may receive less than two minutes of consideration.

Here’s how the recruiting process works at most organizations:

1. Post job description.
2. Receive lots of resumes.
3. Review resumes and pick top candidates.
4. Schedule interviews with top candidates.
5. Make hiring decision and extend offer to top candidate.

The majority of candidates don’t make it past step two because there’s something on their resumes that disqualifies them from being selected for an interview.

So, what can you do?

Make Sure You’re Qualified For The Position

Do an honest assessment of your skills and figure out the types of positions you are qualified for and apply only to those positions. When recruiters receive hundreds of resumes, they are very quick to dismiss those that don’t have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Maximize Your Qualifications For The Specific Position

It takes time to make your resume stand out, but you need to ensure you will make it to the interview process. One way to do this is to mimic the language used in the job posting. For example, if the job description gives examples of daily responsibilities, show how you accomplished these same tasks in your previous work experience. Use specific examples to show what you achieved and how you achieved it.

Use Keywords

By using the keywords that are included in the job description, you have a better likelihood of passing any electronic resume screening tools a company may be using. Reread the job description and see which keywords and phrases seem to have importance in the position description. In your resume, include these keywords and phrases and show how you have experience in these areas.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Spellcheck is great, but it doesn’t pick up everything, so do a manual proofread of your resume before you submit it. It may take only one typo or grammatical error to be eliminated from consideration, so take the time to do a thorough review of your resume.

It also helps to have other sets of eyes review your resume before you send the final version to a prospective employer.

If you follow these steps, you’re reducing a number of reasons recruiters eliminate resumes. Job seekers should think like the recruiter and hiring manager by asking themselves, “Is there anything on my resume that would lead to being eliminated from consideration for the job.” It’s difficult to be critical of your own work, but it’s necessary if you want to be selected for an interview.