Tips for Making a Great Resume

How to create a great resume

Here are some tips for creating an impressive resume.

1. Assemble your job history and skills.

Consider the types of jobs you’ll be applying for and create a list of your relevant job history, industry experience and applicable skills. While you might feel tempted to add every place you’ve ever worked, focus on listing roles and experiences that directly align with the position you’re targeting. This strategic approach keeps your resume concise and guides hiring managers to your most relevant qualifications. For maximum impact, consider creating multiple tailored versions of your resume for different job applications.

From there, format your resume so that it is easy to identify your qualifications. When structuring your resume, make sure the information is presented in a logical order that frontloads the most important information, said career coach Veronica Yao.

“A hiring manager [will] read your resume starting at the top and ending at the bottom. However, if they don’t finish reading the whole thing — and they often don’t — you still want to ensure your strongest points come across,” Yao said.

2. Use an original resume template.

Employers appreciate originality and authenticity in resumes. While professional resume templates provide helpful structure, avoid following them too rigidly. Using a template without customizing it can make your application blend into the crowd rather than stand out.

“I often pass over resumes that match Microsoft Office templates,” said Claire Bissot, SPHR and managing director of the operations team at Kainos Capital. “The templates are meant to be a guide to get started, but it should be expanded on to make it your own.”

Showcase your expertise through thoughtful design choices that align with your industry. For creative fields, consider incorporating subtle design elements, strategic use of color or interactive features like hyperlinks to your portfolio. 

For more traditional industries, focus on clean formatting with clear hierarchy and strategic use of white space. Include unique sections that tell your professional story, such as a brief “career highlights” section or testimonials from previous employers when appropriate.

3. Fill out the sections.

Use bullet points or concise statements to outline your responsibilities and achievements for each role. This format helps recruiters quickly scan your experience and understand your impact at previous organizations.

Focus on using action verbs paired with quantifiable results rather than generic descriptions. For example, instead of writing “managed social media accounts,” write “grew LinkedIn engagement by 45 percent in six months through targeted content strategy, resulting in 30 qualified leads monthly.” This approach demonstrates concrete value and backs up your expertise with measurable outcomes that resonate with business decision-makers.

4. Choose the file type.

Most employers accept resumes as either Microsoft Word documents (.docx) or PDF files. Both file types work well with most applicant tracking systems (ATS), which often represent the first hurdle to getting your resume seen by a hiring manager. These systems can more accurately parse and extract information from your resume, so if your resume is optimized for an ATS it improves your chances of passing initial screening. [Read related article: Ways AI Is Changing HR Departments]

5. Proofread the draft.

Before submitting your resume, conduct multiple rounds of proofreading. Ask trusted colleagues or mentors to review your resume and offer feedback as well. Even minor errors can eliminate you from consideration, as your resume represents your attention to detail and professional standards.

Here are a few things to look at:

• Spelling, grammar and punctuation: A hiring manager will likely automatically dismiss your application if they spot a typo or grammatical error. “Make sure it’s error-free and easy to read,” said Diya Obeid, founder and CEO of ATS company JobDiva. “HR reps equate typos and errors with laziness.”
• Formatting: “Review formatting very closely, including font, alignment and spacing,” Bissot said. “Related issues can often be perceived as a sign of lacking technical skills and/or attention to detail.”
• Headings: Yao said that candidates often submit applications addressed to the wrong employer or outline experience that’s irrelevant to the role. “Receiving a resume that’s crafted and addressed to someone else — or worse, a competitor — can be a huge turnoff and will set a negative tone even if they do choose to continue reading your application.”

Resume writing tips

Crafting a compelling resume requires balancing comprehensive information with concise presentation. These proven strategies will help you create a resume that captures attention and communicates your value effectively.

1. Keep your resume short and direct.

The optimal resume length remains one page for most professionals, though experienced candidates with 10-plus years may extend to two pages when necessary. Estimates from Standout CV suggest recruiters spend an average of 5 to 30 seconds on initial resume reviews, making brevity crucial.

To maintain conciseness, include only positions from the past 10 to 15 years unless earlier roles are exceptionally relevant. This approach is particularly important given that many resumes never reach human reviewers due to ATS filtering. Focus on quality over quantity — highlight achievements and experiences that directly relate to your target position rather than listing every responsibility you’ve ever had.

2. Highlight relevant skills and experiences.

Using the same resume for every job you apply for is not the best approach. Instead, your resume should target the specific job you are applying for. Prioritize the skills, qualifications and experiences that are directly applicable to the job you are trying to land.

Select three to four previous positions that best demonstrate the competencies required for your target role. According to LinkedIn data, tailored resumes are more likely to receive callbacks than generic versions. For instance, if you’re pursuing a marketing position, emphasize any roles where you developed brand strategies, managed campaigns or analyzed customer data — even if the job title wasn’t explicitly marketing-related.

If you don’t have a work history that directly relates to the job you are applying for, be creative with how you present your other experiences. Draw on the skills you used and how your contributions benefited the organization or project. [Read related article: 22 In-Demand Skills to Help You Get the Job]

3. Demonstrate results with numbers and metrics.

Quantifying your achievements transforms vague claims into compelling evidence of your capabilities. Resumes with quantified achievements receive 40 percent more interview requests than those without metrics. 

For example, rather than stating you “improved sales performance,” specify that you “increased quarterly revenue by 32 percent through strategic upselling techniques, generating an additional $450,000 annually.”

4. Craft a career snapshot.

Modern resume best practices have evolved beyond traditional objective statements. Instead, create a compelling career snapshot, which is a three-to-four line professional summary that immediately communicates your unique value proposition and key qualifications.

“With the career snapshot, you present a branding statement that briefly explains your unique value as well as your skills and qualifications,” said Tomer Sade, CEO of Book a Space. “This would then be followed by a few bullet points that highlight your experience and your accomplishments. Whatever you list here should be relevant to the position you’re applying to.”

“The top third of your resume is prime resume real estate,” added Lisa Rangel, an executive resume writer and CEO of Chameleon Resumes. “Create a robust summary to capture the hiring manager’s eye.”

Think of your career snapshot as your professional elevator pitch. It should answer: “What unique value do I bring to this role?” Focus on combining your years of experience, core competencies and most impressive achievement to create an immediate impact.

5. Optimize your text.

In 2024, 98.4 percent of Fortune 500 companies used ATS software to screen applicants. Optimizing your resume for these systems is non-negotiable. These platforms scan and rank resumes based on keyword matches before human reviewers see them. Trish O’Brien, chief people officer at Lifelong Learner Holdings, emphasized adapting your resume to the position to increase your likelihood of passing the first level.

“Make sure you’ve carefully reviewed the posting and … [used] the appropriate keywords in your resume to get past the screener,” O’Brien said. “Be truthful, but understand that the first pass on your resume is likely via an ATS.”

A strategic approach involves analyzing the job posting with keyword identification tools. Copy the job description into a word cloud generator to identify frequently used terms, then naturally incorporate relevant keywords throughout your resume. Create a dedicated “Core Competencies” or “Technical Skills” section to list both hard and soft skills, reinforcing these terms within your experience descriptions.

6. Think beyond your job duties.

Hiring managers seek evidence of impact, not just task completion. Transform your job descriptions from duty lists into achievement showcases that demonstrate measurable business value.

Rangel said that specific merits are more engaging to read than just your experiences. For example, “I reduced operating expenses by 23 percent in six months” is far more interesting to an employer than “I have 30 years of sales experience.”

When deciding what information to keep or cut out of your resume, focus on striking abstract traits and qualifications in favor of concrete, quantifiable results.

“The best resumes highlight a job candidate’s actions and results,” said Bob Myhal, chief marketing officer at CBC Automotive Marketing. “Employers want employees who get things done and who take great joy and pride in what they do. Rather than a laundry list of your qualifications, your resume should reflect your accomplishments and enthusiasm for your career.”

Don’t overlook your skills section either. Include both technical proficiencies and in-demand soft skills. According to LinkedIn Learning data, the most sought-after skills include AI literacy, data analysis, and emotional intelligence. Demonstrate these competencies through specific examples in your work experience rather than just listing them.

7. Use the right language to stand out.

Dynamic action verbs create momentum and demonstrate leadership. Replace passive phrases with power words like “orchestrated,” “pioneered,” “optimized,” and “transformed” to convey initiative and results. This will make you sound confident while imparting vital information. But be cautious about depending on action verbs — include details about how you improved a process or achieved a goal.

“Words such as ‘professional,’ ‘results-driven’ and ‘detail-oriented’ provide very little helpful information,” Sade said. “It’s better to use actual job titles than these words.”

Obeid said that you should remove words like “go-getter,” “team player” and “go-to person” from your resume. These come off as fluff and take up precious space on your resume.

8. List your social media profiles.

Most employers screen candidates on social media before making a hiring decision. Proactively sharing your professional profiles demonstrates transparency and digital savvy. Include your LinkedIn URL prominently, and add other platforms if they showcase professional content relevant to your industry.

“If, and only if, your social media accounts are filled with professional posts pertaining to your industry, listing them on your resume can be advantageous,” said Richie Frieman, author of REPLY ALL … and Other Ways to Tank Your Career (St. Martin’s Press, 2013). “They can show you have a strong network and are up to speed with modern-day marketing and communications practices. The hiring manager will see that you like to keep up with what’s happening and that you care about learning more.”

Your social profiles can be a powerful recruitment tool to supplement your experience and position as an expert in your field, but only if they are leveraged correctly.

Importance of a great resume

Your resume serves as your professional ambassador, often determining whether you advance in the hiring process. In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted resume is essential for career advancement and income growth. A professional resume will help you achieve the following:

• Increase your earning potential. According to Zippia research, professionally written resumes are not only good for landing an interview, but they can also boost your earning potential by 7 percent to 32 percent. 
• Increase your chances of securing a new role. Zippia also found that 68 percent of job seekers who have worked with a professional resume writer landed a new job in under 90 days. If your resume lacks professionalism or relevance to the positions you’re applying to, you likely won’t receive as many opportunities.
• Quickly impress recruiters and hiring managers. Hiring managers and recruiters look at resumes for an average of only 5 to 30 seconds each, so make every second count. A strong resume can help you stand out from the crowd, but a weak resume can remove you from the running.
• Decrease your number of rejections. According to Zippia, you need to send an average of 50 to 100 resumes before you get hired. However, the more impressive and professional your resume is, the lower this number will be — and the less you will have to wait to start a new job.

Make a great first impression

Your resume represents your professional brand and creates crucial first impressions with potential employers. In an increasingly competitive job market where AI screening tools and brief review times are the norm, a strategically crafted resume is your key to standing out. It doesn’t matter how qualified or passionate you are — without a compelling resume, you won’t get the opportunity to demonstrate your value in person. By implementing these evidence-based strategies and staying current with hiring trends, you’ll significantly increase your chances of landing interviews and securing your ideal position.

Kiely Kuligowski and Skye Schooley contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.