What Recruiters
See Before You
Even Speak.

"Your resume has exactly 6 seconds to make a recruiter stop scrolling. Here is everything they look at — and what makes them keep reading."

• ✦Your job title headline is everything. The very first thing a recruiter's eye lands on is not your name — it's your title. "Virtual Assistant" is weak. "Executive VA | Social Media & Project Management" is strong. Be specific in 6 words or less.
• ✦White space signals professionalism. A cluttered, wall-of-text resume signals a cluttered worker. Recruiters make that judgment in under 3 seconds. Use spacing, clear sections, and a clean font — not 5 different colors and decorative borders.
• ✦Bullet points must show outcomes, not duties. "Managed social media accounts" tells a recruiter nothing. "Grew client Instagram from 2K to 18K followers in 4 months" makes them stop. Always lead with a result or a number.
• ✦The skills section is your keyword section. Recruiters search for tool names — not soft skills. List Notion, ClickUp, Canva, Asana, HubSpot. These are what ATS filters and human eyes scan for first.
• ✦One page only — always. A 2-page resume from someone with under 3 years of VA experience tells a recruiter you don't know how to prioritize. Edit ruthlessly. If it doesn't add value, cut it.
• ✦Font and file format matter. Use a clean serif or sans-serif font (not Comic Sans, not Times New Roman). Always submit as a PDF — never Word. A Word doc can shift formatting on different devices and immediately looks amateur.

"Before a client or recruiter ever messages you, they have already visited your profile or portfolio link. What they find there decides everything."

• ✦Your profile photo is your first handshake. It must be professional, well-lit, and warm. No selfies, no heavy filters, no group photos cropped. A clean headshot in professional attire tells a recruiter you take yourself seriously.
• ✦Your bio must answer three questions in 3 sentences. Who are you? What do you do specifically? Who do you help? "I am a Social Media VA who helps e-commerce brands grow their online presence through strategic content and consistent engagement." That is a bio that gets clicks.
• ✦Your portfolio link must work and load fast. A broken link or a "coming soon" portfolio is worse than no portfolio at all. Use Canva Websites, Notion, or Carrd.co — all free, all clean, all professional.
• ✦Show samples — not just a list of services. Anyone can say they do social media. Show 3 sample posts you created. Show a sample email sequence. Show a Canva graphic. Samples build instant trust that descriptions never can.
• ✦Add one testimonial — even an informal one. A screenshot of a client saying "she's amazing to work with" is worth more than a perfectly worded bio. If you have no clients yet, ask a colleague, teacher, or anyone you've helped professionally.
• ✦Include your availability and niche clearly. "Available for part-time roles | PH-based | EST overlap 9AM–1PM." This saves recruiters time and immediately tells them if you are a match. Recruiters love VAs who make the decision easy.