When I looked for a C++ job in the U.S. in 2000, it seemed like most of the company HR departments focused overwhelmingly on amount and time of corporate experience.
Other people have had more positive experiences. There are also skills of viewing HR as merely one track. For example, find the name of an actual hiring manager, call him or her and introduce yourself briefly and matter-of-factly, and then perhaps ask, 'I've already sent a copy of my resume to HR. May I send you a copy also?'