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Resume Trends To Follow in 2024

Some resume advice is timeless … but not all of it. Here’s a list of the current resume trends worth following, including our top resume tips for 2024 and beyond.

a year ago   •   7 min read

The job market is changing more rapidly than ever, which means that resume trends seem to be coming (and going) faster than ever. So, which trends are worth following — and which ones are better off ignored?

We’ve analyzed the current resume trends and landed on 12 resume trends for 2024 that aren’t going anywhere. These are all based on data and backed by recruiters, which means you can bypass the fads and skip straight to the resume tips that’ll actually help you land a job.

Wondering what the best resume tips are for 2024? Here’s a quick overview.

Top 12 resume trends in 2024

In 2024, look out for:

• Sticking with a classic resume format
• Keeping it brief
• Having multiple resumes
• Optimizing your resume with keywords
• Integrating soft skills
• Quantifying your impact with numbers
• Embracing of remote work
• Using AI to help your job search
• ... And leaning into AI-specific skillsets
• Highlighting technical skills
• Addressing the market
• Linking to social media

Let’s take a more in-depth look at each of these trends, including what they mean for you and how to stay ahead of the curve.

Top resume trends for 2024

1. use a simple chronological resume format.

In 2024, we’ve seen a lot of resume trends come and go. Infographics, functional resumes, and online resume builders have all come … and gone. What’s here to stay is the classic, easy to read chronological resume.

When writing a resume, there’s no need to get creative with fonts , images, graphs, tables, or fancy layouts. Instead:

Download a simple ATS-ready resume template

• Stick to default formatting in Google Docs or Microsoft Word
• List your experience in order from most recent to least recent
• Always include your dates of employment
• Use bold, underline, and italics if you need text to stand out
• Export your resume as a PDF to keep your formatting intact

2. Keep your resume short and skimmable

Sometimes, less is more — and that includes on your resume. Most resumes only need to be one page long and include:

• Contact details
• Work experience
• A short section for relevant skills and other information

Most of that should be in bullet point format, too, which means recruiters can quickly skim your resume — and important information is more likely to stand out.

Related: How Long Should a Resume Be?

3. Have multiple versions of your resume

Think you can write a single, perfect resume that you can use to apply to any job? Think again!

One of the best ways to land a job is to tailor your resume, which means you’ll end up having at least a few different variations of the same resume. This could be as simple as adding a resume title or as in-depth as curating which jobs you list when applying for roles in different industries. You can also get help from tools like Targeted Resume , which will check your resume against the target job description and identify specific ways to tailor your resume to that position.

Related: How To Tailor Your Resume To a Job

4. Bypass ATS with resume keywords

If you’re currently applying for jobs, you’ve probably heard of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These are automated scanners that companies use to screen resumes before they hit the desk of a hiring manager.

ATS search your resume for a set list of keywords, which means they’re pretty easy to bypass. The key is to not overdo it — after all, you don’t want a resume so stuffed full of keywords that it gets rejected by the first person to read it. Instead, use a tool like our skills and keywords finder to search for relevant keywords and scatter them naturally throughout your resume.

Related: How To Beat Applicant Tracking Systems in a Few Easy Steps

5. Highlight transferable skills

These days, nobody expects to stay in the same job for their whole career — the average tenure of a new job is less than five years , which means that the average person will hold around 12 jobs in their lifetime. With that in mind, it makes sense to build your resume around skills that you can take with you — in other words, transferable (or soft) skills.

According to a recent breakdown of job listing, the top soft skills recruiters are looking for include:

• Communication
• Customer service
• Time management and scheduling
• Project management
• Analytical thinking
• Working independently
• Interpersonal skills and collaboration
• Flexibility
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Multitasking

Related: Here's How To Include Soft Skills on Your Resume

6. Quantify your impact with concrete metrics

The easiest way to show the actual impact you had in a role is to use numbers in your bullet points . This allows hiring managers to get a better feel for how you’re likely to perform in the new role. It’s also a good way to stand out in a sea of applicants, as the vast majority of resumes don’t fully quantify their accomplishments.

Here’s an okay bullet point:

Hired, coached and led sales team.

By adding more details, we can make it better:

Hired, coached and led sales team of five to make sales calls, make client visits and close deals.

And by using metrics to show results, we create an impactful, measurable accomplishment :

Hired, coached and led sales team of five to make sales calls, make client visits and close deals; generated $10M in sales contracts.

Related: How To Quantify Your Resume

7. Get on board with remote work

You don’t have to be looking for remote work to know that it’s everywhere — and you shouldn’t expect this to go away in 2024. Job boards like FlexJobs and Remote OK cater specifically to people looking for remote work, while even the larger job boards have hundreds of thousands of remote jobs listed.

Even if you aren’t working remotely, you’re likely to be dealing with people who are, which means that highlighting experience managing remote workers or your ability to use remote tools like Slack and Zoom is always a plus.

Related: The Complete Guide To Listing Remote Work on a Resume

8. Use AI to your advantage

In 2024, it seems like Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. Employers are obviously using it — but so can job seekers.

AI-powered tools like Score My Resume work in a similar way to ATS, by analyzing your resume and providing actionable steps to improve it . Think of it kind of like a Grammarly for resumes — instead of just fixing your spelling and grammar, it can check for job-specific keywords, resume and bullet point length , inconsistencies, word choice, and any filler or buzzwords you can safely eliminate.

9. Learn to work with AI, too

If you believe the naysayers, AI is about to take over and automate just about every job imaginable. Which may be true ... but in that case, who runs the AI?

The answer is: People do. If AI has started invading your industry, look at expanding your skillset to include AI-specific skills, like AI-assisted coding or ChatGPT prompt writing .

10. Prove that you’re competent with technology

The technology trend doesn't stop with AI. Even in low-tech fields, a little tech savvy goes a long way. Being able to troubleshoot problems and use common technologies can make the difference between hitting the ground running and struggling to keep up.

Looking to make the next move in your career — or to change fields entirely? 2024 is an excellent time to start developing in-demand skills like:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Cybersecurity
• Data analysis
• Cloud computing
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Augmented reality and virtual reality (AR and VR)
• Digital marketing
• User interface and user experience design (UI and UX)
• Programming languages like HTML, CSS, Java, and SQL

11. Write a market-driven resume

This may sound gimmicky, but all it really means is a) keeping up-to-date with trends in hiring in general and your field in particular, and b) tweaking your resume to address these trends.

If that sounds calculated or impersonal, remember this: Your resume isn't about you, it's about the job you want. Instead of trying to include a complete history of who you are and what you've done, create a resume with a purpose — one that addresses specific needs in your industry or company and explains how you can fill those needs.

12. Update and link your LinkedIn

Whether you’re always on social media or not a huge fan, there’s no doubt that it’s become an important part of job searching. LinkedIn alone is home to over 800 million users, including over 58 million registered companies.

Add a link to your LinkedIn profile, GitHub, or portfolio to the top of your resume (next to your contact details).

A trend we're seeing in 2024: Companies are recruiting more and more via LinkedIn so ATS now provide LinkedIn integrations, where experience can be imported via LinkedIn. So, keep your profile up to date and make sure it reflects skills on your resume.

If your LinkedIn needs a little revamp — or a complete overhaul — LinkedIn Review can provide personalized tips on how to optimize your profile and generate up to five times as many leads.

By the way, it's worth mentioning — keep your other social profiles, like Instagram or Facebook, on private when you're recruiting if you have any content you don't want recruiters seeing.

Related: How To Make Your LinkedIn Stand Out

Resume trends to avoid

Not all trends are created equal — so which ones should you avoid? Here's a list of gimmicks to steer clear of:

• Functional resumes. These are often touted as a way to hide a spotty work history or lack of experience, but in reality, they do the opposite — not listing dates on your resume or using a skills-based format just makes recruiters wonder what you're trying to hide.
• Infographics. These had their moment, but arguably were never a great idea in the first place (for a start, ATS can't read images). Skip the fancy graphics and stick to a classic, text-based resume.
• Resume objectives. This one's so old that some people are trying to make it new again. Resume summaries are different and can actually be useful, but an objective adds nothing to your candidacy. Skip it.
• Gimmicky resumes. It might sound fun to have your resume printed on a beer label, a t-shirt, or a QR code , but the people actually making hiring decisions aren't looking for fun — they're looking for a simple document clearly listing your work experience, skills, and education.

Remember that trends aren't everything — the most important thing when it comes to writing a resume is clearly communicating information. Anything that gets in the way of that is an instant "no."

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How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

• The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
• 11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
• 27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
• Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
• Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
• Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
• Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
• Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
• Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
• Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good. 

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

• Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
• Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
• Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume. 

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

• Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
• Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
• Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
• Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
• Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

• Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
• Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
• Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
• Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

• Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional. 
• LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate. 
• Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
• Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
• Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
• Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

• Your job title and years of experience.
• A couple of your greatest professional achievements or core responsibilities.
• Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary: 

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

• Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
• Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
• Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with: 

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

• Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
• Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
• Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

• Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
• Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
• Generated leads through cold-calling
• Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

• Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
• Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
• Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

• Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
• Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
• Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

• In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
• Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
• In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

• No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
• Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
• Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

• Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
• Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
• Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
• Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go! 

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

• Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
• University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
• Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
• Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
• GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
• Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
• Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
• Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

• If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
• You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
• If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
• Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
• Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
• Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

• Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
• Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

• Agile Methodology
• SCRUM Framework
• Waterfall Project Management
• Microsoft Project
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Risk Management

Soft Skills

• Team Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
• Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
• Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
• A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
• Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

• Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
• Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
• Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
• Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better  – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

• Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money. 

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

• Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
• Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
• Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
• Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
• Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
• Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
• Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
• Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
• Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
• Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
• Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
• Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
• Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
• Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture. 

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking. 

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example 

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Bartender Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

• Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
• Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
• Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
• Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible. 

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template . 

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should: 

• Open MS Word
• Click “file” from the menu bar 
• Select “new”
• Type “resume templates” in the search bar 

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go! 

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format. 

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume? 

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume? 

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address. 

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume. 

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

• Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
• Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
• Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
• Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
• Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

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Resume Writing Tips

10 resume writing tips for 2023.

Prepping your resume for a 2023 job search? If you want to make your resume stands out to hiring managers and recruiters, then following these 10 resume writing tips for 2023 will help you get noticed, so you get hired. In this article, I’m sharing my top 10 tips for writing a resume that conveys your accomplishments to employers so they’ll respond — because the current trend of apply + wait + get ghosted is no fun. Let’s dive in.

2023 Resume Writing Tip #1: Get Clear On Your Direction

It’s impossible to write a resume that will get interviews if you’re not clear on the industry, companies, and positions you’re targeting. Job seekers often ask me if they can use a general resume, and as much as I would like the answer to be yes because it would make things simpler, the answer is actually a resounding no . 

Your resume must specifically address the industry or industries you’re targeting and the position(s) you want. Here are five questions to help you get clear before you start writing your resume:

What role am I targeting?

Your resume needs to be geared towards one specific position. Employers want to hire specialists, not generalists. 

What companies am I targeting?

Knowing the company you are targeting helps you narrow down your research and be more specific in your writing. You can speak to the company’s pain points when you’ve researched them and know what they need.

What challenges are they facing?

Write resume bullets that show you’ve faced and overcome similar challenges. Include the results.

What skills are critical to success?

The answer to this question tells you exactly which keywords and hard skills you need to include on your resume. If you don’t know where to look, start by searching for the position on LinkedIn. LinkedIn will give you the top 15 skills/keywords needed for the role.

How do I add value?

Your resume must show how you can add value in a way that means something to the employer. Focus on accomplishments that resonate with your target company and meet their needs.

Once you’re clear, there are two crucial things you must do:

• Include the target job title at the top of your resume so there is no question in the recruiter’s mind about which role you want.
• Include the industry you’re targeting in your career snapshot/summary section. This can be easily changed as you apply to different industries, but it lets the hiring manager know you’re targeting their industry.

Now let’s talk about how you can stand out to hiring managers.

2023 Resume Writing Tip #2: Uncover Your Personal Brand

When we work with job seekers, we don’t set out to create their personal brand. We work to uncover it. Your personal brand is already there. It’s already part of who you are and the work you complete. All you need to do is look for it. 

The best place to start is by listing what you have in common with your peers. It’s usually easier to identify the similarities. Once that list is complete, make a second one with how you stand out from your peers. What’s different about you from other similarly qualified candidates?

The four foundational pieces of your personal brand

Next, we work on four foundational pieces to your personal brand: vision, values, purpose, and passion. 

Vision: What companies and roles do you want to target?

Values: What are your personal values, and what values are you searching for in your target company?

Purpose: What interests you? What brings you satisfaction and fulfillment in your work?

Passions: What motivates you? What makes you feel alive or like you’re hardly working at all?

Your unique promise of value

What makes you unique? This one is at the top when it comes to finding your personal brand. If you’re not sure, email 10 people you know, and ask them for five words that describe you. Then, compare the words to see what themes emerge. What about your LinkedIn recommendations and past performance reviews? Read through them to identify any themes as well. You’ll start seeing a picture emerge of what makes you different from others in your field.

What’s your promise? Your promise is how you work, why you work, and what you do over and over again no matter where you work. Again, you’re looking for themes carried through each role you’ve held. What do people come to you for? What can you do well no matter who you’re working for? How do you do what you do? Why do you do what you do?

What’s your value? Value is defined by the results and achievements that you deliver. Every position adds value to a company in some way. How is your role evaluated? How is your work reviewed? What makes you compelling? What makes you relevant to your target employers? The answers to these questions are how you define your value.

Once you’ve taken the time to document your vision, values, purpose, passion, and unique promise of value, you have the raw material for your personal brand. Now it’s time to communicate it on your resume. 

Gather career stories

Stories are what give our results and achievements context. That context is what helps us stand out from our competitors. To write a successful career story, you need three things:

• You need to share stories specific to the employer’s problems.
• You need to share the results. 
• You need to go beyond results and share the context of the situation or challenge. 

I use career stories to help my clients stand out from other applicants. Too many resumes have language that could be copied, pasted, and applied to any other job seeker in the same role. If you can take a bullet from your resume and put it on someone else’s resume, it isn’t specific enough to you. 

Here are two examples of branded resume bullets:

• Launched shared-screen technology to allow designers to make client-facing presentations that better articulate offerings to prospects and help them make informed decisions, cutting designers’ time 20% and reducing customer cost. 
• Increased projects 35% by estimating client’s budget and price range upfront based on historical data from similar projects, documenting everything, and sharing data with client, also cutting contract length 50%.

In these two bullets, you get the context of the career story. You see the challenge, a comparison, the transformation, or a before/after picture. 

When you set out to write your resume bullets, avoid adjectives and adverbs. They add fluff to your resume and dampen its impact. Trade adjectives for accomplishments. Instead of saying successful at, demonstrated success in, proven track record of, or results-driven , replace it with quantifiable accomplishments. Be specific about how you add value. Make sure what you’re writing can’t be copied and pasted. 

The next piece is choosing the right stories. Look for consistency. You don’t want to be redundant, but you want to show a consistent picture of the value you can deliver. Maybe it’s that everywhere you’ve worked, you’ve cut costs or generated revenue. Show your repeatable achievements — these are part of your personal brand. 

Now that you’ve identified your personal brand and thought about how to convey it through stories, you can choose three different resume formats to show off your credentials. Here’s an overview of each option, as well as the pros and cons to explain when they work best:

2023 Resume Writing Tip #3: Choose the Right Format for You

You can choose three different resume formats to show off your credentials. here’s an overview of each option and the pros and cons of each:, the chronological resume format.

The chronological resume format showcases your work history in chronological order. It’s organized by the dates you worked at your previous roles with a short description of what you did at each one.

Most chronological resumes list your current role or the most recent role at the top and follow with each previous job in reverse chronological order. 

Pros of a chronological resume:

• Straightforward style . 
• Organized paragraphs and visuals . 
• Rewards those with impeccable work history . 

Cons of a chronological resume:

• Not exciting or modern . 
• Doesn’t bode well for job-hoppers or people with large gaps in work history . 

If you’ve always used a chronological format in the past, you should keep reading to see if another resume format might work better.

The Functional Resume Format 

A functional resume showcases your skills, accomplishments, and career highlights instead of only focusing on when you worked somewhere.

To create a functional resume, you’ll first list your most relevant abilities and achievements as they pertain to the job you’re applying for. This will take up the majority of the page. You’ll get to your job history on a much smaller scale later .

Pros of a functional resume:

• Spotlights your transferable skills . 
• Draws attention to the value you’ll bring a company . 

Cons of a functional resume:

• Sends red flags to hiring managers that you’re trying to hide something . Most recruiters assume if you do not include employment dates, there is an issue or reason why.

A Hybrid Resume Format

A hybrid resume format is a healthy mix of chronological and functional resume formats.

This option gives you the best of both worlds: it allows you to showcase the skills and accomplishments you’ve achieved at the top of your resume while also mentioning your chronological work history in the latter part.

Pros of a hybrid resume:

• Showcases your value, qualifications, and stellar career history . 

Cons of a hybrid resume:

There are a few other steps you can take to ensure your resume gets noticed and captures the attention of whoever reads it, such as:

• Make it enticing and visually appealing . Add some white space between sections, use a mix of paragraphs and bullet points, and include visual elements (such as charts or graphs) to help improve your resume’s readability. These are more appealing to the eye than straight walls of text. 
• Make sure your resume format reflects your brand . Try adding one color to your resume. Recent studies show that adding one single color to your resume engages the reader and holds their attention for longer — which means they’ll spend more time reading your resume. 

2023 Resume Writing Tip #4: Make the Most Of Your Contact Section

If you’re working with one of our resume templates , the contact section is already set up for you. You’ll notice your name is in larger font, followed by your city, state, and zip code. It’s no longer necessary to include your street address. Most location-based searches that recruiters perform are based on just your city, state, or postal code. 

If you’re not using one of our resume templates, here are a few tips for the contact section:

• Put your name in a larger font. Employers’ eyes are drawn there first. 
• Follow with your city, state, and zip code. Street address is optional and not required.
• Add a link to your LinkedIn profile URL and hyperlink it so all they need to do is click.
• Include your email and phone number. 
• Add a line to break up the text and separate this section from the remainder of your resume. 

One important inclusion is your LinkedIn profile URL. You want to ensure you include your custom link on your profile because 90% of employers will head to LinkedIn to find out more about you. It’s easier for them if you’ve already included a direct link. Plus, it eliminates the risk of them stumbling onto the profile of someone else whose name is similar to yours. 

Once you’ve added your LinkedIn profile and your contact information, it’s time to move on to the objective/summary section.

2023 Resume Writing Tip #5: Create A Snapshot Instead of a Summary

This section of your resume is critical. Outside of your name, eye-tracking studies show this is the first place an employer’s eyes will scan. This is where important information must go. 

Therefore, you need to start with your target job title. If you’re seeking a project manager role, put Project Manager at the top of the resume. If you’re a tech exec, write Chief Technology Officer or VP of Information Technology. Whatever your target job title is, you want to put that here. 

It immediately communicates to the hiring manager that you are targeting that role. So there’s no chance for them to miss that. They’ll know exactly what position you’ve applied to. 

If you’re targeting a role in an area where you have little to no experience — or if you’re a new grad, changing industries, or moving up — and are concerned that the title will not be accurate, state it like this: 

TARGET JOB TITLE: PROJECT MANAGER

This clarifies the role you’re targeting but eliminates any confusion about whether you have previously held that role. 

Underneath your target job title, we will add three high-priority keywords. These are keywords that are critical skills for the functioning of this role — ones that you possess and are required. You can find these in the job postings you see online.

Choose three that repeatedly appear in those job postings, and include them underneath the job title. 

Next, you want to develop your personal branding statement. Think about the personal brand work you did from Resume Tip #2, and incorporate what you uncovered into a one-line statement that encapsulates your unique promise of value to your target employer for your target position.

Now, let’s talk about objectives. They’re outdated and unnecessary, so we’ll skip adding outdated statements like “To obtain a position that allows me to use my excellent communication skills and desire for growth to benefit the company.” 

You also want to avoid generic, adjective-heavy summaries that sound like: “Dependable, energetic project manager with 7 years of experience managing projects…”

If it sounds like it could be copied and pasted to someone else’s resume, then skip it altogether. 

Instead, we’re going to develop a career snapshot . It is similar to a summary — but instead, it’s branded, unique to you, and a lot more specific about the value you can deliver. 

Your career snapshot will include 3 – 5 sentences unique to you. You must evaluate each sentence to ensure it can’t be said about any other candidate on the market. 

In your lead-off sentence, you want to make sure you’re using the position title again or an alternate position title (for instance, if the role you’re targeting could have more than one title, you could use a different one here for increased searchability). Eliminate adjectives to make your writing more impactful. Even resume writers get out of hand when it comes to using too many adjectives, so we have to check ourselves. 

Here’s a lead-off sample sentence:

HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE, NURSING LEADER, AND CERTIFIED CASE MANAGER who transforms underperforming programs, clinical operations, processes, and teams to unearth $700K+ cost savings.

Here’s another example:

Award-winning client relationship manager who develops trusted relationships in 3 minutes or less. Leverages CRM tools to optimize call plan, set meetings, close 6-figure deals, drive $3 million-dollar revenue growth , and increase market share 30%.

And another example:

Inspiring marketing executive who drives $3 billion-dollar growth through digital transformation, identifying and eliminating $35M operational inefficiencies, and incorporating data into delivery pipelines to save $60M in advertising costs. 

Here’s an example of someone without a direct connection to revenue or cost savings:

Loyal receptionist who supports 1400+ clients annually as first point of contact, managing confidential communications, resulting in increased client satisfaction, repeat visits, and new referrals. 

Alright, now it’s your turn.

Use an action verb to describe what you do.

Add a result that includes high-priority keywords/skills.

State something unique about you — a special recognition, an award, or a compelling quote that is on-brand. 

2023 Resume Writing Tip #6: Noteworthy Accomplishments Get Priority

To help establish your personal brand and also give the employer a preview of some quick wins, add an accomplishments section in the top third of the resume. It’s easy to skim/scan (which hiring managers will do), but it also gives them a look at your unique promise of value.

You want to develop three achievement statements. As you review target job postings, identify three of the top requirements for the role. Based on those requirements, choose three important accomplishments. 

If you’re struggling to think of three off the top of your head, think back on the career stories you gathered from Resume Tip #3. Do you have any career stories, results, or achievements that correlate to the main requirements for your target role?

If so, select the top three and include them in this section. 

Remember that they don’t have to be revenue-based.

Every position adds value in a meaningful way. What were you hired to do? How is your role evaluated? How is your performance assessed? These give you clues to how you can articulate the value that you add. And numbers can come from all kinds of places, not just money.

I teach job seekers to look at comparisons, people, skills, teams, and so much more to find those value-added statements that make your resume stand out and increase your market value. 

Try this free executive resume template. It helps you write your resume much faster and gives you all the guidance you need to write a resume that impresses employers.

2023 Resume Writing Tip #7: Optimize the Skills Section

The skills section is one of my favorites because it’s a great opportunity to fit those all-important keywords. I talk a lot about high-priority keywords, and I want to take a minute to explain what I mean. 

High-priority keywords are the skills that employers require for the role. They’re also the terms recruiters use to find candidates that fit the role they’re looking to fill. These high-priority keywords are based on academic, technical, and professional skills. They are not soft skills, which are typically personality descriptors. 

There’s a big difference because employers don’t use soft skills to search for candidates — they use hard skills. 

Create a high-priority skills and keywords section in the top third of your resume after your career snapshot. You want to include 12-15 keywords that are the most important to your target role. 

You can discover and gather these keywords in a couple of ways. One is to review job postings and highlight skills that the different roles have in common — especially the ones required for the role. 

Another way to find relevant skills is to head to LinkedIn and review job postings. LinkedIn is great about alerting you if you have the required skills for the role, and if you have LinkedIn Premium, there are a whole host of other applicant insights that you can obtain. 

An excellent hack for identifying ten high-priority skills is to use the build a resume feature on LinkedIn. Here are some simple instructions for using the hack. While on LinkedIn, feel free to follow me for more great job search and resume writing hacks.  

2023 Resume Writing Tip #8: Conveying Experience That Shows Value

The work experience section is not where you talk about your responsibilities and duties. This is a pretty common mistake that job seekers make. Instead, include 1 – 2 sentences about the scope of your work; then, dive into how you added value.

Here are some ways you can make your experience section more impactful. 

• Start with strong verbs. Every single bullet needs to start with an action verb. Here’s a list of over 100 to choose from , and if you don’t like any of the ones in the list, you can use thesaurus.com to find alternatives.
• When and where possible, quantify achievements. Incorporate numbers because they stand out and draw the eye in, ensuring the rest of the bullet gets read. 
• Write in implied first person. It’s a concise form of writing and the proper format for a resume. Never use pronouns or refer to yourself in the third person. 
• Be specific. Generalities weaken your resume and personal brand. Anything in your resume that is generic will only take away from you standing out to the employer.
• Add context to give meaning to what you’re saying. This is also another strategy for personal branding. Context is a part of your personal brand. What was going on at the time? Was the market down? Was the industry hard-hit by COVID? Did you win back a major account or save a profitable relationship from falling apart? These details give context to the accomplishment and make it more powerful.

2023 Resume Writing Tip #9: Use Action-Packed Language

I could write an entire book about action-packed language on resumes. Too many job seekers fall back on passive writing. 

An example: Responsibilities included processing payroll, managing collection accounts, and accounts payable.

This could be written more impactfully by starting with an action verb and adding in some numbers.

• Processed payroll for 300+ employees. Cut the time needed to process payroll from 5 days to 2 days by switching payroll processors. 
• Decreased collection accounts 25%. Created new process for detecting potential accounts before they defaulted and worked with customers to secure payment plans that kept accounts up to date.

To write with more action-packed language, start with an action verb. Then, follow it with a result and the context for the result — maybe it was a challenge or situation you faced and you were able to make a change. 

2023 Resume Writing Tip #10: Get Noticed So You’ll Get Hired

All of the previous tips are geared toward doing two things. 

• Making your resume discoverable in applicant tracking systems.
• Standing out once your resume is in the hiring manager’s hand. 

This last tip will offer you additional strategies for getting your resume noticed so you get interviews and get hired. 

First, a great resume is only half the job search battle. You must also actively connect with employees and hiring managers at your target companies. Thanks to LinkedIn, this is relatively easy. In my popular LinkedIn Unlocked course, I teach job seekers exactly how to find the hiring manager, network with them, and get more interviews. 

A quick way to do this is to look for the hiring team when applying to a job on LinkedIn. LinkedIn will now include a link to the profile of the person who is posting the job or responsible for hiring for the role. If you have LinkedIn Premium, you can send them an InMail message. If you don’t, you can see if you’re a second-degree connection, in which case you can message them. 

I advise that you send them a note after you apply to the role, letting them know you applied and why you believe it’s a good fit. Focus on experience and values, and keep the message short. 

Not every hiring manager will respond. It’s a 20 – 40% response rate, but it sure beats the apply + wait + get ghosted stuff that’s happening all the time in today’s market. 

While doing that, you can also come at your job search from another angle. Head to the company’s LinkedIn page, and check out their People tab to see employees. Look through the list and see if there’s anyone you’re already connected to — a fellow alum or someone else, like a group member with whom you share a connection. Then, request an informational interview.

Do not ask for a job or a referral. Your goal is to gather information and advice. If a referral comes of your conversation, GREAT! But your goal is to gather more information to see if the company/industry/role fits you and to get advice from someone in the industry/company on how they found success. 

You will be surprised how many people are willing to help when you ask for a favor, and once you get to know each other, how many are willing to offer names of others you can speak to or who might give a referral for an open role. I go over this in more detail in LinkedIn Unlocked . 

One last tip: Find and follow your target company’s page on LinkedIn. Then, engage with what they post — whether that’s an ad, content, or something else. LinkedIn spotlights you as a candidate when you apply to a job if you’re engaged with that company on the site. It alerts the hiring manager that you’re more likely to respond if they reach out to you about a role, which makes you stand out even more as an applicant.

I’ve covered a lot in this 2023 edition of my Resume Writing Tips article — everything from a clear direction and target role to connecting with the hiring manager and sending a follow-up note. Would you like to make your next career move much faster?

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About the author

Jessica hernandez, president, ceo & founder of great resumes fast.

Hi, I’m Jessica. I started this company back in 2008 after more than a decade directing hiring practices at Fortune 500 companies.

What started as a side hustle (before that was even a word!) helping friends of friends with their resumes has now grown into a company that serves hundreds of happy clients a year. But the personal touch? I’ve kept that.

You might have seen me featured as a resume expert in publications like Forbes, Fast Company, and Fortune. And in 2020, I was honored to be named as a LinkedIn Top Voice of the year!

I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to help you find your next perfect-fit position!

This is legit! Thank you for this content. Well-detailed and quite helpful.

Examine the list to see whether or not there is someone with whom you already have a relationship. This might be a fellow alum or someone else, such as a member of a group, with whom you already have a connection. After that, you should make a request for an informative interview.

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The 2023 Resume Writing Guide [+ Job Search Tips and Resume Examples]

Searching for a new job is one of the hardest things you'll have to do in your career and it's no easier this year. The Great Resignation, intense competition from other job seekers and remote work are making it one of the most exciting and challenging job markets we've seen in years.

That's why we decided to create our 2023 Resume Writing Guide with job search tips, resume examples and all the information you need to create the perfect resume or CV.

The right job is one of three things that contribute most to your happiness in life.

Which is why you need to do it right.

Besides you, your resume is your most important tool in a job search.

It is your first impression with employers.

It is the difference between an interview for your dream job or the recycle bin.

A great resume makes searching for a job easy, while an ineffective resume will leave you with nothing to show from hundreds of applications. Applying to a job without a good resume guide is a waste of time and can add months (or even years) to your job search, leaving you frustrated and demotivated. The following is a guide to creating a stand-out resume that gets you hired.

Recommended links:

• Our collection of 500+ professional resume examples .
• Our gallery of 20+ downloadable resume templates .

Let's start with the basics.

• Resume Layout Guide

A resume is your professional highlight reel - presented in an easily understood and standardized format.

Your resume needs to solve a problem for employers (which is why they’re hiring). It is your most important tool to landing an interview, and ultimately a job.

There are three standard resume layout types.

• Chronological: Focuses on work experience in reverse chronological order.
• Functional: Focuses on skills and experience, and not chronological work history. Used by people with gaps in employment or are changing careers.
• Combination: Enables you to highlight the skills and experiences that are relevant, while still showing work history in the format that employers prefer.

Which type of resume layout is best depends on the situation. For each job application, choose the layout that best represents you in the context of the job you're applying for.

• Important Resume Guidelines

Long gone are the days when recruiters and employers sit in uninterrupted silence and carefully read multi-page resumes from cover to cover. Nowadays, interruptions and distractions are the norm, and recruiters' time is increasingly crunched.

90% of large corporations use Applicant Tracking Software that to manage their recruiting process, which means you need to get through an automatic screen before your resume is even seen by an employer. If you make it past that step, studies have shown that recruiters spend 6 seconds on average reviewing a resume.

Studies show that recruiters spend on average 6 seconds looking at a resume.

They need to quickly pull out key facts, and make a split second decision that could decide your future. We think there are two key resume guidelines you need to keep in mind when building your resume.

Does your resume pass the 7-second test? Recruiters only spend 7.4 seconds reviewing your resume before moving it to the 'YES' or 'NO' pile.

If you pass the test, you still need to hold their attention to make it to the next steps.

Your resume needs to be sharply focused, compelling, and entirely relevant.

What is an applicant tracking system?

An applicant tracking system (ATS), is software that organizations use to manage their recruitment process. Vendors include Taleo, The Resumator, Smart Recruiters, and many more.

Most applicant tracking software uses a process called resume parsing, which extracts your resume data into a format readable by the software. Resume parsing pulls your contact information, work history, and skills from the resume.

When a recruiter is searching within their applicant tracking system for a candidate, those that best fit the keywords of the job description will show up first in the search results based on the parsed resume data.

This is why thinking about these guidelines is important in optimizing your resume for each application. We actually offered some tips on how to beat the ATS in a previous blog post.

Before writing your resume

If you're unsure about your career objective or haven't quite settled on a goal, you'll find that writing a powerful and effective resume is extremely difficult.

Remember, your resume must present just the right mix of meaningful information relevant to your goal.

Without a goal, you don't know what information to include, what skills or successes to highlight, and what details to omit. You're forced to include everything, and the end result is usually a resume that does not capture interest because it's not focused.

Have a clear goal before writing your resume. Employers want to know what you want to do ; it's not their job to figure that out. Take the time to define a goal (or multiple goals) before writing your resume.

See our guide on How to get a better Job for more exercises and resources for deciding what you want from your career.

Once have a clear goal for your resume, move on to the next step.

Be Clear About Who You Are

In the context of your resume, "who you are" usually refers to a job title.

Are you a Software Engineer?

Corporate Finance Executive?

Customer Service Representative?

Be sure to include this critical information right up front, as a headline or in the first sentence of your introduction. Your goal is to immediately communicate to employers the essential information that creates the context for everything else they will read in your resume.

For example, if you define yourself as a "Sales Professional," employers will be looking for key qualifications such as sales results, communication skills, relationship-building abilities, territory management experience, and so forth.

If you define yourself as an "Accountant," they'll be looking for something entirely different accounting and finance experience, knowledge of accounting software, attention to detail, and strong analytical skills.

By defining yourself up front, you establish expectations and help readers better appreciate and absorb the information that follows.

Paint the picture of an ideal candidate

Study the job description and decipher what problems the employer wants solved. Employers don’t care about you. They care about solving their problems. This is the only reason why they are posting a job. Get into their heads, and try to understand their pain.

Why are they posting this job? Who is the ideal candidate for the job? Which skills does the ideal applicant have?

Write down a brief description of the ideal applicant in the third person, all the way down to what they’re wearing. This will help you decide how to represent yourself when creating your resume.

Having defined your "ideal self," consider what information you can place "front and center" on your resume to support your claim. What credentials, qualifications, experiences, knowledge, and accomplishments do you possess that will prove you are, in fact, an effective Marketing Management Professional?

Your goal is to create a "snapshot," a capsule portrait that conveys the most essential information to your readers. In essence, you want to quickly portray that you are an ideal candidate for the types of jobs you are pursuing.

• Preparing Your Resume

In your job search, you will need to create a distinct resume for each job application . This enables you to do the following:

• Tailor each resume to suit the job description
• Optimize your resume keywords for applicant tracking systems
• Choose a distinct style to suit the company

To make this easy, start by building a Master Resume to work from. This will be an ever-evolving resume that contains all your work history, accomplishments, and skills that you can tailor for each application.

Let's start building a Master Resume.

• How to Create Your Resume, With Examples

The following section will outline the key components of a resume, and provide examples, tips and best practices for writing these components.

Standard fields

• Summary/introduction
• Work Experience

Optional Fields

• Past Projects
• Publications

Resume Example:

• Your Resume Header

Your resume should first include the most important information - Your name! Your name should be the largest text on the page. The header also includes basic contact details and links to other relevant online profiles.

For a European CV, the header will also include a professional profile picture. Do not include a picture for a traditional North American application. For a web based North American resume, a picture is acceptable.

• Your Resume Summary and Introduction: Examples of What You Should Include

An objective statement is no longer acceptable on your resume summary or resume introduction. Employers know your objective is to get the job. Instead, you have two options.

• Write a summary or introduction that highlights your most valuable accomplishments and skills.
• Do not include a summary or introduction.

The introduction goes after the header information, and should serve the following purposes:

• Highlights your the most valuable aspects of your resume
• Draws the reader in, and encourages them to read more

Resume Introduction Examples

Bad example: Experienced professional seeking employment in the financial services sector.

Good example: Experienced financial planner who has consistently generated above market returns for clients. Thrives in a team-oriented and high pressure environment.

Bad example: Passionate marketing manager and creative problem solver who loves to work with great people.

Good example: Results-driven marketing professional with over 10 years experience working with blue-chip clients including Nestle, Google, and Intel.

Remember, the introduction is not a necessary element. If you're going to use it, do so wisely. No introduction is better than a poor one.

• Citing Your Work Experience

The most valuable section of your resume is the work experience section. It is usually the most important factor in getting a job. Highly relevant experience in a field is the first thing employers look for. Even for entry level jobs employers want to see relevant experience.

Ordering Your Work History

Most commonly, work experience is displayed in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job first. If you do have a highly relevant position, there is no rule against re-ordering your work history to put the most relevant job first.

Each work history entry should include:

• Employer Name
• Dates of Employment
• Job Descriptions
• Accomplishments

The most crucial aspect of your career history is to write accomplishments, not history. Your job title and regular duties don't matter - what matters is your most impressive achievements in those positions. Ensure your accomplishments are compelling. Accomplishments are best written in bullet-point format, underneath each job title held.

Resume Example Accomplishment Statements

Bad example: Promoted to senior account manager with full responsibility for the company’s #1 client.

Good example: Promoted to senior account manager to manage #1 client, growing the business from $3 million to $6 million in 2 years.

Bad example: Completed all projects under time and under budget.

Good example: Averaged 7% under budget while completing 100% of projects on schedule, 65% ahead of schedule.

Bad example: Managed a portfolio for blue-chip clients that generated high returns.

Good example: Responsible for $5 million in assets for high net worth clients that generated a return of over 12% in 2013.

Bad example: Kept customers happy.

Good example: Increased referral rates by 15% and maintained a customer satisfaction rate of over 95%.

Writing Effective Resume Accomplishment Statements

The following section is a series of questions designed to help you quantify your performance in a position to write better accomplishment statements. Spend an hour answering these questions in relation to each job you've held. This will give you "ammunition" to work with when writing your resume.

Questions to quantify performance

• Did you make money for the company?
• Did you increase market share?
• Did you improve your ranking in comparison to other departments, branches, or competitors?
• Did you suggest any ways to cut costs in your team, department, unit, branch, or company?
• Did you regularly meet all your deadlines?
• Did you improve the efficiency of your job, team, or department?
• How did your performance compare to prior years?
• How did you rank against the competition?
• How did you rank against industry averages?
• What were your performance goals? Did you meet them? Exceed them?
• How did you contribute to the bottom line?

Questions to reveal success factors:

• What are you most proud of?
• What did supervisors compliment you for?
• What do your performance evaluations say?
• What are you known for?
• What do you do that others can't or don't do?
• What would "fall apart" or "slide downhill" if you weren't at your job for a week?
• What do you have "bragging rights" about?
• Where you the first, best or most effective in any particular function or organization?

Questions to create strong introductory statements

• What is the most important thing I accomplished in that job?
• What was I initially hired to do? Did I do it?
• What major challenge was I presented with? Or what major challenge did my company or industry face, and how did I surmount that challenge?
• What happened to my company or department as a result of my effort in that job?

Action words to use:

These are helpful verbs to use when writing your accomplishment statements. Always start your accomplishments with a verb.

• Spearheaded
• Accelerated
• Coordinated

Sources: Career Bliss , The Muse

The majority of your resume writing time should be spent writing compelling accomplishment statements.

Pro tips for writing accomplishments

• Focus on performance and results.
• Use specific examples with real numbers.
• Use Power words (not passive ones).
• Citing Education on Your Resume

The education section contains some or all of the following:

• Name of School
• Degree Earned
• Major Course(s) of Study
• Academic Distinctions
• Extracurricular and Leadership Activities
• Training and Certification
• Additional Professional Development

Keys for the education section:

• The more senior your career, the fewer education details to include.
• For younger professionals, add in distinguishing information such as achievements or leadership roles.
• Don’t let your education shadow your experience, and never inflate your credentials.
• Your Resume Skills Section

You should have a listing of your skills on your resume, that includes your level of competency of each skill. Skills are extremely important to match with the job description - it’s what employers are looking to hire.

• Resume Extras and Information

Extras are additional facts and information that don't fit into one of the previous categories but might be important to include, such as:

• Professional Affiliations and Industry Leadership
• Presentations and Publications
• Language Proficiencies
• Technical Competencies
• Community Activities and Leadership Positions
• Personal Interests

Resume Outline

As you are gathering the material for your resume, organize it into these rough groups; but keep in mind that you don't have to follow a strict formula! You can create new sections, add in unusual information, or come up with creative ways to present your qualifications. The purpose of the resume is to tell your story and describe your capabilities in the way that is most beneficial to you and meaningful to employers.

The number one question to ask: How is your resume solving an employer's problem?

Resume design guide.

Which resume design should you use? It depends. Use your judgement to decide which resume design best suits the job you're applying for. For a creative job, a more creative resume is recommended. For an accounting job? Use a more classic design.

Once you've written the right content, pick a design that best shows off your unique capabilities and fits the position you're seeking.

Resume Versions

Having multiple version of your resume is essential for a successful job search. Here are the versions you should have:

• A online resume (web based).
• A master resume with lots of detail.
• A custom resume for each job application.
• Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes

How long should my resume be?

The standard North American Resume is 1-2 pages in length. A more detailed academic CV can be much longer. However, don't try to cram your resume into a shorter version just because of conventions. A well-laid out, efficient resume will perform better than a crammed 1 page resume.

Do I need a picture on my resume?

In North America, no. In fact, having a picture on your resume could limit your chances of landing an interview. For a web based resume, a picture is fine. However if you're applying in a traditional way, create a version of your resume that does not include a picture.

Do I need an objective on my resume?

No! Your objective is to get the job. Employers know that! Replace the objective with a summary of your skills and experience.

Should I include references?

No. As a general rule, including references (or "references available upon request" is redundant. Keep your limited space for selling yourself.

What format should I submit my application in?

PDF is your best option for submitting a resume to an employer or an ATS. You won't risk losing formatting from a Word Document, and it gives you the most control.

Should I customize my resume for each application?

Yes. Studies show that tailoring your resume for a specific position is much more effective than sending a generic application. It takes extra time, but is worth the effort.

Do you have resume guides for specific applications. For example a resume guide for teachers, it, architects, students, nursing, freshers, internships, designers, engineering, tour guide or no experience?

*No. However, we do have an amazing resume samples directory with resume examples for every occupation and career path. Check it out here

What to Do Next: Send It To Employers

Step by step, section by section, you've built your resume. Congratulations! Now it's time to get that dream job. We've got just the guide for you.

Looking for an easy way to create a multiple targeted resumes and track the results? We'd love for you to give VisualCV a try.

Madison Norton

VP Marketing & Resume Expert

Madison is the VP Marketing and General Manager at VisualCV . He's a seasoned marketing leader, resume writing and career marketing expert and now helping people grow their own career marketing strategies to build a career they love.

Madison on LinkedIn

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30 Resume Tips And Advice For 2024 [With Expert Insights]

In This Guide:

Resume writing tips

Tips on resume formatting

Tips on how to design a resume that gets noticed

Tips on research and application

Common mistakes to avoid when crafting your resume

Tips on what a good resume includes

Tips on how to write a resume if don't have much experience

Quick Answer: Follow these 30 resume tips to craft a standout resume. Show passion, be specific about impact, exude confidence, tailor to each job, use a master resume, seek feedback, include social media links, highlight promotions, use power words, explain job gaps, use quantifiable numbers, mention career changes, utilize achievements, use colors strategically, research the company, follow up, and avoid common mistakes.

At the end of every year, we sit down at the Enhancv headquarters, and we analyze our database to come up with the best resume tips. This year is no different. We spent a week or so sifting through data, speaking with resume writing experts, and infusing some Enhancv know-how to craft the 2023s ultimate list of resume tips.

There’s a lot to read, so I’ll keep this intro short. Below you’ll find a list of twenty-six resume writing tips that will get you an interview. We’ll also go through a few important questions like “ Will the video resume take over? ” and “Will the traditional resume finally die?”.

The TLDR answer to both, for now, is definitely “No.”, but recruitment is changing, and so is the traditional resume.

Resume writing tips: Write a resume like a professional.

Writing a great resume is no easy task. You have a lot of work in order to transform a good resume into a great one.

How you write is how recruiters picture you. We’ve gone in-depth on the topic of how to write an impressive resume , but we’re also going a step further with the tips below to ensure your resume stands out .

Tip #1. Show your passion (project).

This tip is for: Job seekers with little or no experience.

Every employer wants you to be passionate about what you do. To grab their attention right from the start of your job search, you need to show a passion for the industry you’d like to join or the job you’re aiming to get. The most effective way we’ve seen this done is by sharing a side-project connected to the position you’re applying for.

Let’s take a look at Louis, for example. Louis used an Enhancv resume to get a job at HotJar .

When he applied for a Content Marketer position at Hotjar, Louis featured his side project on his resume. Having interviewed over 10 of the top marketers on his podcast, he knew this would catch the HotJar team’s attention.

Featuring his passion project was vital to get him an interview. He was as specific as possible, including his results. Louis believes this moved the needle for him.

Every Enhancv resume template supports a specific passion project section that you can use to showcase projects you’ve worked on, but aren’t necessarily related to employment.

Further reading

• Programming projects for resume: tips & examples
• How to list projects on a resume: a concise approach

Tip #2. Be specific and show your impact.

This tip is for: Experienced applicants.

You’ve probably heard this advice before, but “be specific” and “show impact” is pretty vague. What exactly means to “show impact?”

It boils down to ensuring every bullet in your experience section answers this question: “What was the result of my involvement?”.

Doing this ensures your resume will instantly stand out from the rest, particularly those which only list responsibilities.

In addition, instead of 10 bullets per job position, focus on 3-5 but make them count. They should be short, concise, and as specific as possible. You can also use Laszlo Bock’s formula: Accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z .

What does that mean in practice? Here’s Laszlo Block’s (Google’s SVP People Operations) explanation :

Start with an active verb, numerically measure what you accomplished, provide a baseline for comparison, and detail what you did to achieve your goal.

Good example

In 2024, companies want candidates who can have a positive impact on their business. So show them what you can bring to the table. And keep in mind that this can be volunteer work as well.

• How to use volunteer experience to make your resume stand out
• 125 Easy resume action verbs to make your resume better

Tip #3. Be confident.

This tip is for: Everyone.

Your resume is a document that represents not only your areas of expertise but also you as a person. it needs to come across on your resume that you’re proud of who you are and what you’ve achieved. You can do this by keeping your resume consistent, specific, and balancing the professional (experience, education, projects, etc.) with the personal (passions, most proud of, life philosophy).

• Resume sections: everything you need to know
• Perfecting the education section on your resume

Tip #4. Don’t copy-paste the keywords.

Our friends from Fairygodboss (a career blog for women) shared their top resume advice for 2024:

Always tailor your resume! Your generic, send-to-everyone resume won’t land you a competitive job (or even get you in the door for an interview).

Here’s what you can do: Take a highlighter, either physical or digital, and mark each word in your resume that relates to the job you’re applying for. Within the job description, you should find each skill and responsibility and then see if you have something that corresponds to your resume.

While you don’t want to copy and paste all these words in arbitrarily, you do have to demonstrate—with your resume—that you’ve read the job description, have the relevant work experience and history, and have the required skills.

• Resume keywords to land interviews and get hired

Tip #5. Use a master resume to speed up the resume tailoring.

This tip is for: Everyone

Another helpful tip is to create a master resume which has all the relevant skills, job experience and volunteer work listed. A master resume is a general resume template that includes all your work history, volunteer experience , education , and skills . It's basically a generic resume with a record of all the details of your career.

You may find that your master resume is chock-full of information, which is okay because you can pull the most relevant information to create tailored resumes. Job seekers find that using a master resume can actually cut down on the time that it takes to create each resume.

Tip #6. Let someone else review your resume.

It’s never a bad idea to ask someone to look at your resume . Especially if it’s someone who knows you well. Often, they can give you a hand by identifying your strengths and spotting mistakes.

Make your resume with Enhancv make sure to go to the “Share” menu and choose “Get comments from friends” – you can get immediate feedback straight in our resume builder.

Tip #7. Add links to your social media profiles.

Once recruiters receive a resume, many of them go ahead and check your social media accounts, 38% of them to be exact . Why not make it easier for hiring managers and share links to your LinkedIn or Dribble or StackOverflow?

If you share your LinkedIn profile , make sure it’s updated, so it’s in line with your resume. It's in your best interest to update it with a personalized "About Me" section.

You can be a little more personal in your LinkedIn profile, highlighting your key motivations and sharing the challenges you enjoy taking on. You also can write it in the 1st person, rather than the more formal 3rd person, and this helps to share your own unique perspective on your career progression.

Don’t share your personal Instagram or Facebook. Only add those networks if they’re related to your profession. Personal social media accounts aren’t meant for professional use.

Tip #8. Include other relevant links.

Biron from Career Sidekick shared his best advice for creating a resume with us:

Add a link! Most employers and recruiters read resumes digitally, so 2021 is a great time to start adding a link or two.

Putting a link will show them you’re tech-savvy, make your resume stand out at first glance, and increase the time employers spend looking at your background overall.

Here are three ideas of what you can link to:

• A case study showing a before-and-after of a past project. What results did you achieve? How did your past employer benefit from the work you did? Talk about real results, metrics and benefits to that employer, and how you got those results. You can create this as a Google Doc and share the link in your resume “Work History” section underneath your bullet points for that role.
• Create a short, 1-2 minute video explaining why you applied for their job and why you’re a great fit. Walk them through the most relevant pieces of your background and show them that you really took the time to read their job description before applying. You can upload this as an “Unlisted” video on YouTube, so only people you’ve shared the link with can view it.
• Put a link to your online portfolio. If you’re a writer, graphic designer, programmer, or anyone else who could showcase past work in a portfolio, consider creating one and putting a link to it on your resume. If you have a website or blog, you can link to that. If not, you can create a one-page portfolio as a Google Doc for free.

Tip #9. Choose which experience to share wisely.

This tip is for: Mid– to very experienced applicants.

We also reached out to Jon from Jobscan . Here’s what he had to add:

Tailoring your resume to the job description isn’t only about matching keywords and trying to beat applicant tracking systems.

Emphasize the responsibilities and accomplishments within your relevant experience that are most important to the job for which you’re applying, even if they weren’t where you spent most of your time.

For example, let’s say you had a job in which you spent 27 hours per week fulfilling orders and managing inventory for the company’s online store. You spent the other 13 hours providing customer support.

When you apply for a new job as a Customer Service Representative, you don’t need to begin your work experience section with the fulfillment and inventory duties that took up most of your time.

Instead, start with and emphasize your customer support skills and experience because it’s what the employer needs to see in order to qualify you for the role.

Your other relevant experience can still be mentioned, but it doesn’t need to take up 70% of your resume space just because it took up 70% of your week.

Tip #10. Use power words.

Keywords are the nouns–skills, background, experience, achievements—employers look for when filtering candidates.

Power words, on the other hand, are the verbs that emphasize your chosen keywords. Both play a role in helping you win a job.

Weak language like “responsible for” or “accomplished” does your achievements a disservice.

Go for more creative power words that not only emphasize what you did but also tell a story .

Power words to use on your resume

• Implemented

Tip #11. Use a professional email address.

Don’t use the cutesy email you had in high school or college. Use a professional email address instead, with your first and last name as the username.

More tenured applicants should stop using old emails from older providers like Hotmail, Livewire, or AOL.

No one uses a Verizon email address in 2024 – instead stick with Gmail.

Tip #12. Hire a professional resume writer.

Holly from The Work At Home Woman mentioned:

If you’re having trouble crafting your resume, or worse yet, you’re not landing any interviews, it may be time to hire a professional resume writer .

Resume writers are often trained career coaches who write persuasively and can help you eloquently showcase your skills and expertise.

And since they do this for a living, they know all the strategies, resume pointers, and layouts that will make your application stand out.

Resume writers can also help if you’re switching careers, as they know how to spin your current talents into attributes for the new occupation you’re trying to break into. This small investment may help you land your dream job a lot faster.

Get critiques from multiple resume writers first before choosing one. Most offer free critiques, so this is a great way to test if you’ll like how they would approach your application before actually committing to one.

If you don’t want to hire a professional resume writer, we have an amazing resume grader baked into our resume builder .

Tip #13. Keep your resume subheadings simple.

There’s such a thing as being too clever.

Regardless of your chosen resume format or layout, you should always keep your subheadings straight to the point and easy to understand.

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will parse all the text from your resume, often stripping it of its design and fancy formatting.

But… and this is huge but, the ATS will use the subheadings listed to interpret the text underneath it.

Avoid catchy but ATS-confusing subheadings like:

• Qualifications
• Accreditations
• Professional background
• Academic Achievements

Tip #14. Use quantifiable numbers.

Use quantifiable figures to paint a clear picture of your achievements. While this is harder than the other resume tips here, especially if you don’t make it a habit to track your work, it certainly is the most impactful.

This applies not only to job-specific technical skills like sales, programming, or operations, but also in terms of soft skills .

Ways to add quantifiable figures to your resume

• Money or resources saved
• Profit earned
• Labor hours saved
• Sales growth
• Manpower growth

Time and dollar figures, of course, aren’t the only ways to add numbers to your resume. You can also talk numbers in terms of:

• Range: Great way to use numbers if you can’t give an exact figure
• Frequency: Show how often you did something to prove mastery
• Size: Team size, number of app downloads, restaurant size, or basically anything that could show the scale of your success or responsibilities

Tip #15. Explain job gaps.

This tip is for: People with experience.

Maybe you were laid off; maybe you were sick, perhaps you had to take care of your ailing parents. Whatever it is, the important thing is how you present yourself. Your resume is where you control the narrative, so it’s only natural that you control this part of your professional history, too. Don’t let recruiters judge you based on incomplete information. Tell them what happened by including a short note on your resume. There’s no need to dress it up. A one-liner in between job entries, or at the end of a short job in case of furloughs or company closure, is fine.

You could write:

• Company closed
• Layoff due to downsizing
• Maternity leave
• Relocated to a new city

Sure, this isn’t like the many boost-up-your-credentials resume tips listed here. But if you have a job gap, it needs to be addressed.

If you are on furlough due to COVID-19 or have been laid off due to this situation, then make a line item on your resume that says you were placed on furlough or the company closed. Because everyone has been affected by the pandemic, it is okay to mention it on your resume.

Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, Certified Professional Resume Writer

It’s better than waiting and finding out after the recruiter doesn’t call you because of the unexplained job gap in your resume.

Tip #16. Mention career changes in your work history.

This tip is for: Those switching careers

When you're branching out into a new career, be sure to mention your previous work history, while also highlighting that you're jumping headfirst into a new career. By mentioning the career change, you can show hiring managers you're changing careers, rather than just applying to any new position.

U/StageOne 2591 , shares in their Reddit post that they've reviewed over 1000 resumes. They've found that it's better to be upfront with a shift in careers, while highlighting relevant skills related to each career, both the one that you're transitioning out of and the one you're entering. Addressing is your switch in careers is better than leaving it left unexplained. U/StageOne 2591 shares a great example of how to spin a career transition to highlight transferable skills:

“Sales professional with 5 years+ years of experience looking to transition into the position of a front-end web developer. Previous experience developing websites for 3 local business clients.”

This shows that you’re not just applying to random jobs — you’re ACTUALLY trying to transition into a new field.

• How to write a career change resume

Tip #17. Recent graduates should use their accolades in school.

This tip is for: Students or recent graduates

Many job seekers who are fresh out of college struggle to fill their resume, as they don't have a ton of experience in their field. If that's you, then you can share additional relevant information about the awards and accolades that you picked up throughout your college career in your educational background section.

Receiving honors in your degree or a Summa Cum Laude distinction may set you apart from other job applicants. This is especially true if you're applying for an internship or other entry-level position. You may also choose to highlight other skills, including the ability to speak a foreign language.

Tip #18. Include promotions in your resume if you’re applying for an internal position.

This tip is for: experienced professionals

If you're applying for a new position within your company with a new hiring manager, you should share promotions you received while working for said company. You can share this helpful bit of information when you list your responsibilities, highlighting how you've received additional duties while you advanced within the company.

Tip #19. Make sure you properly write each job description in your experience section.

For the most part, the experience section on a resume takes up most of your application. That’s prime real estate. Unfortunately, most applicants waste it by describing their day-to-day activities, while they can make it much more impactful. The secret is to highlight achievements rather than job duties. We already mentioned the importance of talking numbers, so if you skimmed the article so far, jump back to Tip #14. Use quantifiable numbers .

Resume building tips: how to format a resume

While how you write your resume is important, you want the hiring managers actually to read your resume to the very end.

That’s why we’ve packed some resume best practices on formatting that will make sure your resume gets read.

• The best resume formats you need to consider (5+ examples included)

Tip #20. Make every section count.

Having onely one page to fit your whole professional career is not the easiest thing to do, especially if you have extensive professional experience. For this reason, make sure you include only relevant information and sections that will increase the value of your resume.

You can also achieve this by leaving some of your experience out, especially anything which isn’t relevant to the job or company you’re applying for. (Like that waitressing job you did in college.)

Tip #21. Use a reverse chronological format.

This tip is for: Applicants with experience.

When you write your experience section, another rule of thumb is to use a reverse chronological resume template . This means starting from the most recent position first.

Keep your dates consistent, e.g. if you decide to specify months, make sure you mention months everywhere.

We have a pretty in-depth guide on reverse chronological resumes order resumes too.

Tip #22. Keep your resume one to two pages long.

This tip is for: For mid–to very experienced applicants.

Generally, resume experts agree on the fact that resumes should be a page long. While we’re all fine and dandy with one-page resumes, we should also have to admit that two pages are pretty great too. Make sure you keep your resume no longer than two pages. It doesn’t matter how much of an experience you have, truth be told, you can probably shorten it to two pages.

We’ve written a very in-depth guide on resume length that gives you all the information on the topic. Furthermore, you can learn how to fit a lot of experience in a single page in our one-page resume guide or how to properly build a two-page resume .

Tip #23. Create a separate section for notable achievements.

Add a section specifically for your achievements . This is yet another way to tailor your resume to a specific job.

Doing this allows you to minimize the editing work you have to do. Just select two to three achievements most relevant for your desired job, then put it in a separate section.

Use bolding, italics, and all caps to highlight other achievements, such as those related to soft skills for your job.

Resume design tips: How to design a resume that gets noticed

How you write and format your resume may be the difference between getting called for an interview or not, but the design of your resume is what ultimately will get you remembered by the hiring manager.

One of the best resume building pointers we could give you is to make sure that the design of your resume is just perfect. After all, you want to choose a font that makes your resume easy to read and complement it with a color scheme that gets noticed.

We’ve built Enhancv with a focus on creating the most beautiful resumes in the world – focusing on keeping the design professional and ATS-friendly, while ensuring hiring managers can understand why you’re the best person for the job.

Tip #24. Use colors to stand out.

Applying for a job in the 21st century can’t be done with a black and white resume. One of the resume tips the designers and creatives in our readers will like – use colors. We should emphasize that making your resume more colorful means that you should use colors that complement each other and keep your resume looking professional. Having a bit of color on your resume can help you stand out from the pile of black and white sheets of paper that’s already sitting on the desk. If you use the colors of the company you’re applying for, it will instantly signal that you’ve done your research and that it’s not just another position you’re applying for—you really care and want this one.

If you’re applying for a highly corporate or a governmental job, stick to a traditional resume template . If you decide to use colors, use combinations of gray and black, or navy. Check out Enhancv’s resume builder for different color combinations to choose from.

Research and application tips: How to make sure your resume gets you an interview.

And last but not least, you’ll have to be smart when you apply for a job.

Depending on where you live, you may apply alongside 500 other people for the same job position. This can be quite daunting, that’s why you want to make sure your resume gets to the right person.

Here are our pointers to make sure your resume gets read–from networking to research and application.

Tip #25. Analyze the job ad and include the skills they’re looking for within your resume.

Companies get hundreds of applications per position and hiring managers use applicant tracking systems to help them go through the pool of applicants faster. That’s why each job ad a recruiter publishes contains keywords – these job ads are later put into the ATS and the software screens the resumes looking for particular keywords from the job ad.

It’s mandatory that you include the skills from the job description. This means that you meet the job requirements and you’ve read the job description thoroughly.

Before you start writing your resume, analyze the job description and write down these things:

• Keywords describing skills (both soft and hard skills)
• Keywords describing your experience (years, responsibilities, etc.)
• Keywords describing culture (“tight-knit team”, etc.)
• Why you believe you’d be a good fit.
• After you do this, make sure you use those keywords in your resume. The key here is to make it look natural rather than stuff every section with keywords.

Other keywords to look out for:

• Certifications – read our job-specific guides and resume examples for relevant job certifications.
• Tools or programs required for the job.
• Education and degree – Ph.D., master’s, or specific bachelor’s degree.
• Location – companies often use city names or zip codes to narrow down candidates for local-specific jobs.

Tip #26. Send your resume to the right person.

Send your resume to a relevant person instead of just blindly submitting it through a website or job portal.

Yes, many vacancies posted on job platforms don’t reveal the name of the recruiter or hiring manager. But that’s no excuse not to do your research and find the relevant person.

If you’re like many of the candidates who tout “online research” as one of their skills, this should be an effortless task for you.

Here’s how to prove it:

• Copy a couple of sentences from the job ad and paste it on Google. Chances are, the job ad is also posted on their website or LinkedIn. If it’s on LinkedIn, the job ad will show the name of the recruiter at the bottom.
• If the Google search doesn’t yield any results, look up the company’s website and visit their team’s about page. Find the company recruiter and the manager of the department you want to join, then look up their names on LinkedIn and other social media. For startups or small companies, find the CEO, and send your resume directly to them. These extra little steps can really help you stand out.

To find a recruiter or CEO’s email, you can use some free tools such as Hunter or Voila Norbert. Also, you can check their social media profiles or send them a LinkedIn message.

Tip #27. Research your potential colleagues.

It’s easier than ever to find your potential employer and their team members on social media. Right after you read the job description thoroughly, get to know the potential employer. See what their values are, what’s the company all about, etc.

Then try to mirror their language into your resume. When your potential employer reads it, they’ll feel like you already know each other.

Granted, this isn’t one of the resume hints you can easily pull off with ten minutes of work.

But the extra prep work you do here will pay off in dividends once your resume catches their attention.

Plus, you can use your research to do well on the interview.

Tip #29. Give yourself enough time.

Honestly, when it comes to resumes, what most of us want is to spend five minutes on it and have a resume that will get us that dream job.

But good things take time and so does the writing of a good resume. Remember, the upside is getting the job you want, so spending a bit more effort is worth it.

If you try to rush things, it may result in more mistakes, and you might overlook some important things. Think about resume writing as a creative process of self-discovery.

Turn on the music you like and check out some amazing resume examples for 2021. Once you have enough inspiration, go ahead and start writing.

Tip #30. Name your resume PDF or Word file properly.

When you send your resume and your cover letter to a potential employer, they often put them all in one place. That’s why it’s best to name your files properly, including your first and last name, as well as your target job.

In practice, this means: Elon-Musk-Engineer-resume / Elon-Musk-Engineer-cover-letter

This way, if your resume ends up in a file with many others, your potential employer will be able to spot your name straightaway.

Common mistakes to avoid when crafting your resume.

Some of the most common reasons applicants don’t get called for an interview for their dream job position are actually quite minuscule. They just leave a bad impression.

By far, the most common mistakes are typos. Can you believe you did not get a call for a job interview because you made a typo?

Typos alongside length and design are the most common resume mistakes . Luckily, the Enhancv resume builder takes care of all this while you focus on the more important things.

What should a good resume include?

A good resume should be packed with everything that’s needed to show your experience, passions, and know-how.

In other words, a good resume should clearly showcase your experience and know-how . This means that it’s not necessary to include every job you’ve ever had, just the ones that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

What to include in your resume if you don't have any experience?

But how to craft a powerful resume if you don’t have the experience you may wonder. After all, with no experience, even the best resume tips won’t help you, right?

Fret not, because a resume is not only about experience. People gravitate towards showing how many years they’ve worked and where they’ve worked, because that is what they know how to do best.

The real strength in a resume lies when you show the impact you’ve made. Whether it was a side-project, or at your first job that has nothing to do with the position you’re applying for, impact shows that you’re proactive and result-driven.

We’ve made an in-depth guide on how to craft a powerful resume if you don’t have much experience .

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70+ Resume Writing Tips & Tricks for 2024

As a job seeker, your resume is your marketing tool that showcases your skills, experience, and accomplishments to potential employers. A well-crafted resume can make a significant difference in landing your dream job. A poorly written resume may not even make it past the first round of screening.

The purpose of this article is to provide job seekers with tips and tricks to create an exceptional resume. This article covers everything from formatting to content and highlights mistakes to avoid. Whether you are starting from scratch or need to update your existing resume, this article will assist you in creating a dynamic and polished document.

In today’s digital age, most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. An ATS scans for relevant keywords and phrases to determine whether a candidate’s resume will move on to the next round in the hiring process. Understanding how an ATS works and how to optimize your resume for it is crucial. This article includes tips on how to make your resume ATS-friendly, ensuring your resume doesn’t get overlooked.

With over 70 tips and tricks, this article offers comprehensive guidance for those aiming to create a well-crafted and effective resume. Let’s dive in!

Preparing for a Resume

As you begin the process of creating a resume, there are several key steps you can take to ensure that your document stands out from the competition. These steps include assessing your skills and strengths, understanding the job requirements, gathering and organizing relevant information, and reviewing sample resumes.

A. Assessing skills and strengths

Before you begin crafting your resume, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your skills and strengths. Take some time to reflect on your career thus far, and identify the skills and experiences that set you apart from other candidates. Think about the tasks you enjoy most, and the ones where you excel. By identifying your unique strengths, you can more easily tailor your resume to highlight those specific areas that will make you a valuable asset to potential employers.

B. Understanding job requirements

To create a successful resume, you must first understand the specific requirements of the position you are applying for. Pay close attention to the job description, and make note of any key skills or qualifications that are emphasized. Take time to research the company, and get a feel for their culture and the work they do. By understanding the job requirements and company culture, you can more effectively tailor your resume to match the needs of the employer.

C. Gathering and organizing relevant information

Once you have a clear understanding of your skills and the job requirements, it’s time to gather and organize all the relevant information. This includes your past work experience, education, certifications, and any other relevant skills or accomplishments. Make sure to quantify your achievements as much as possible, using data and specific examples to demonstrate your value as an employee. Organize this information in a clear and concise manner, so that potential employers can easily identify your strengths.

D. Reviewing sample resumes

Finally, take some time to review sample resumes from other professionals in your field. Look for examples that stand out, and analyze what makes them effective. Pay attention to the formatting, layout, and language used in these resumes, and consider how you can adapt these techniques to your own document. By studying successful resumes from others, you can gain valuable insights into how to create a document that truly showcases your skills and experience.

Preparing a successful resume requires careful attention to your skills and strengths, a deep understanding of job requirements, a clear and concise organization of relevant information, and a review of sample resumes to identify best practices. By following these tips and tricks, you can create a resume that sets you apart and maximizes your chances for landing the job of your dreams.

Formatting and Design

As important as the content of a resume, is its presentation. A well-formatted resume can grab the recruiter’s attention and increase your chances of being shortlisted for an interview. This section will cover the various aspects to consider while formatting and designing your resume.

A. Choosing the right font size and type

The font size and type you choose can impact how your resume reads and is perceived. The recommendations are to use a font size of around 10-12 points and a preferred font type such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Ensure that the font type and size are consistent throughout the document.

B. Font formatting

Font formatting includes the use of bold, italics, and underlining to highlight important information. Use these features sparingly and consistently for maximum impact. Avoid using more than one formatting style in one sentence.

C. Margins and spacing

Margins and spacing can make a resume look cluttered or professional. Leave sufficient white space between the sections and have one-inch margins on all sides to avoid the resume from looking cramped.

D. Use of bullets and indentation

Bullets and indentation can make your resume more readable and organized. Use bullets to represent lists of skills, accomplishments, or job duties. Indentation can be used to clearly separate sections and make your resume look visually appealing.

E. Selecting appropriate colors and graphics

While it can be tempting to add colors or graphics to your resume, it is recommended to keep it simple and professional. Stick to black and white color schemes and use minimal images or graphics. Ensure that any graphics or images used are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

F. Avoiding common design mistakes

Some common design mistakes to avoid while designing/resuming your resume include using too many fonts, going overboard with colors or images, and including personal information that could lead to discrimination. Proofread your resume to make sure it is error-free, and ensure that the design aligns with your profession.

Presentation is critical when it comes to resumes. Paying careful attention to the formatting and design elements can help you stand out in a competitive job market. Follow these tips to make sure your resume is visually appealing and professional.

Essential Elements Of A Resume

Your resume is your marketing tool to help you get noticed by potential employers. It presents your professional background in a concise and clear way, highlighting your achievements and skills. It’s essential that you include certain elements in your resume to make sure that it showcases your strengths and convinces the reader that you’re the right candidate for the job.

A. Contact Information

Your contact information should be the first thing that an employer sees when they open your document. It’s crucial that you include your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Make sure that your email address is professional and avoid using a funny or inappropriate name. You want to create a positive and professional first impression.

B. Career Objective or Summary Statement

A career objective or summary statement is a brief paragraph at the top of your resume that summarizes your skills, experience, and career goals. It’s your chance to tell the employer why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Keep it concise and make sure that it’s tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.

C. Work Experience

Your work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. For each position, include your job title, company name, dates of employment, and responsibilities. Be specific and use action verbs to describe your accomplishments. Quantify your achievements, where possible, to give the employer a sense of the impact you’ve had in your previous roles.

D. Education

Your education section should list your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include your degree or qualification, institution, location, and dates of attendance. Mention any academic honors that you received, such as summa cum laude or Dean’s List.

Your skills section should highlight your relevant skills, both hard and soft. These can include technical skills, such as proficiency in a specific software or programming language, as well as soft skills like communication and leadership abilities. Be honest, but also make sure that you tailor your skills to the specific job you’re applying for.

F. Achievements and Awards

Your achievement and awards section is an opportunity to showcase your successes and accolades. Include any relevant professional achievements, such as exceeding sales targets or completing a large project ahead of schedule. You can also include any relevant awards or recognition that you’ve received, such as Employee of the Month or a professional certification.

Your resume is your personal marketing tool that showcases your skills and experience. To create an effective document, be sure to include the essential elements of contact information, career objective or summary statement, work experience, education, skills, and achievements and awards. Tailor your content to the specific job you’re applying for and focus on highlighting your strengths and accomplishments.

Writing Style Guidelines and Techniques

When it comes to writing a resume, there are certain writing style guidelines and techniques that can really make your application stand out. By implementing these writing tips, you can create a resume that will impress potential employers and help you get one step closer to your dream job.

A. Using Active Voice

One of the most important writing style guidelines is to use active voice. This will help make your resume more engaging and dynamic, and can help convey confidence and leadership skills. When using active voice, the subject of the sentence is performing the action, rather than the action being performed on the subject. For example, instead of writing “Responsibilities included managing a team,” write “Managed a team.”

B. Being Specific and Concise

It’s important to be specific and concise when writing your resume. Avoid using vague language that could be interpreted in a number of ways. Instead, use descriptive words and precise phrases that directly convey your skills and experiences. Keep in mind that employers often have limited time to review applicants and prefer resumes that are easy to read and understand.

C. Varying Sentence Structure

Using a variety of sentence structures can also help make your resume more engaging. Mix short and long sentences, use different types of punctuation, and vary your language to prevent your resume from becoming monotone. This will capture the attention of the reader and show that you have a strong and varied skill set.

D. Avoiding Jargon and Acronyms

Unless you are absolutely sure that the person reviewing your resume will understand the jargon or acronym, it’s best to avoid using them altogether. Instead, explain your accomplishments and experiences in plain language that anyone who is not familiar with your industry can easily understand. This will make your resume more accessible and you a more attractive candidate for different types of jobs.

E. Using Keywords and Action Verbs

In order to get past automated screening processes, it’s important to use keywords and action verbs that match the job description. Use power words and strong verbs that match the skills and qualities the employer is seeking. This will not only help you get noticed, but can also demonstrate that you have the skills necessary to excel in the position.

F. Using Quantifiable Data

Lastly, using quantifiable data can also help make your resume stand out to potential employers. Rather than simply listing your accomplishments, quantify them using numbers, percentages, and other measurable metrics. For instance, instead of writing “increased sales,” write “increased sales by 20%.” This will help demonstrate the impact of your work and make you a more attractive candidate.

By following these writing style guidelines and techniques, you can create a standout resume that is sure to get noticed. Keep in mind that a well-crafted resume may help you land an interview, so invest the time and effort necessary to make yours the best it can be.

Special Situations and Considerations

As an experienced copywriter and subject matter expert, it’s important to understand how to craft a great resume for specific situations and audiences. In this section, we’ll cover five special situations and considerations you’ll want to keep in mind when creating a standout resume.

A. Resume for Recent Graduates

If you’re a recent graduate, your resume might seem a little sparse compared to those with more experience. But fear not, there are plenty of ways to make your resume shine. Instead of focusing on work experience, highlight relevant coursework, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities. Include any internships or volunteer work you’ve completed as well, as they can speak to your skills and work ethic.

B. Resume for Career Changers

Crafting a compelling resume when transitioning to a new field can be tricky, but it’s certainly not impossible. Start by highlighting the transferable skills from your previous career that are relevant to your new career. Be sure to focus on any relevant training or education you’ve received as well. You can also use a functional resume format rather than a chronological one, which emphasizes skills and achievements over work experience.

C. Resume for Freelancers and Gig Workers

For freelancers and gig workers, traditional resumes can be less applicable. Instead, consider creating a portfolio that showcases your work and achievements, along with any relevant certifications or training. You can also highlight your soft skills, such as communication and time management, which are especially valuable in these roles.

D. Military to Civilian Transition

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be challenging, but a thoughtfully crafted resume can help ease the process. Be sure to highlight your military experience in a way that emphasizes transferable skills, such as leadership and problem-solving. If relevant, include any training or certifications you earned while in service.

E. Addressing Employment Gaps

Employment gaps can be a red flag for some employers, but there are ways to address them effectively. Be honest about why there is a gap in employment, and consider using a functional resume format that emphasizes skills over work experience. You can also highlight any volunteer work or other activities you participated in during the gap, as they can speak to your work ethic and commitment.

No matter what your situation, a well-crafted resume can be a powerful tool for landing your dream job. By keeping these special situations and considerations in mind, you’ll be well on your way to a standout application.

Editing and Proofreading

As crucial as it is to have a well-crafted resume, it is equally important to edit and proofread the document. A resume that contains errors, be it grammatical or typographical, can leave a bad impression on the employer and might lead to rejection. In this section, we shall discuss some common errors to avoid, tips for effective editing, and tools for proofreading.

A. Common errors to avoid

When it comes to resume writing, some common errors can easily slip through unnoticed. To present yourself as a professional and competent candidate, you need to steer clear of these mistakes. Some common errors to avoid are:

• Spelling and grammatical errors: Typos, punctuation errors, and grammatical mistakes can make you appear careless and unprofessional.
• Using jargon and buzzwords: The use of jargon and buzzwords can make it hard for recruiters to understand your resume.
• Lengthy bullet points: Lengthy bullet points can be overwhelming and difficult to read.
• Irrelevant information: Including irrelevant information in your resume can create confusion and distract the reader from your strengths and qualifications.

B. Tips for effective editing

Editing is all about paying attention to the details of the content you have written. You need to review your resume for clarity, conciseness, and accuracy. Here are some tips for effective editing:

• Read your resume aloud: Reading your resume aloud can help you pinpoint awkward phrasing, missing information, or any errors that may have gone unnoticed.
• Use active voice: Using active voice can make your resume more engaging and dynamic.
• Stick to the format: Consistency in the format of your bullet points, headings, and fonts can create a cohesive and professional look.
• Take breaks: Editing can be a tedious task, so it’s a good idea to take frequent breaks to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

C. Tools for proofreading

Proofreading is the final stage of polishing your resume. Though it’s always a good idea to ask a friend or family member to proofread your document, you can use the following tools to detect errors.

• Grammarly: Grammarly is a useful tool that can detect and highlight grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and spelling errors.
• Hemingway Editor: Hemingway Editor can help you improve the readability and clarity of your resume.
• Google Docs: Google Docs has built-in proofreading tools that can suggest edits and detect errors.

Editing and proofreading are vital parts of resume writing. By avoiding common errors, using editing tips, and utilizing proofreading tools, you can ensure that your resume is polished and professional.

Online Profiles and Social Media Presence

As technology continues to evolve, employers are increasingly turning to online platforms to screen candidates for job opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial to make a good impression online in addition to crafting an impressive offline resume.

A. Social media as a job search tool

Social media can be a powerful tool for job seekers when used correctly. Employers often use social media platforms to hunt for potential employees or to vet applicants, so it’s essential to keep your profiles professional and up to date.

Start by updating your profile picture to a professional headshot and ensuring that your usernames are appropriate and easy to remember. Also, take the time to review your previous posts and delete any that may be considered controversial or inappropriate.

Additionally, LinkedIn is a particularly valuable resource for job seekers. Ensure that your profile is up to date and includes a professional headline and a detailed summary of your skills, experience, and achievements. Use keywords relevant to your industry and customize your URL to make it easier to find.

B. Enhancing online profiles

Your online presence should complement your resume, not overshadow it. Ensure that your profiles are consistent in terms of message, format, and tone. Be concise and clear about your skills and accomplishments to catch potential employers’ attention.

Furthermore, consider adding a personal touch to your online presence by sharing your thoughts on industry trends or participating in online discussions related to your field. This can demonstrate your expertise and dedication to your profession.

C. Ensuring consistency between online and offline resumes

Consistency is key when it comes to job applications. Ensure that your online profile matches the information on your offline resume, including job titles, dates of employment, and qualifications.

Inconsistencies between your online and offline resumes may raise concerns among potential employers and cause them to reject your application.

Finally, ensure that your employment history is current and accurately reflects your experience. Review your profiles regularly and update them when necessary to portray yourself in the best possible light.

Making the most of your online presence can enhance your job search efforts by making you more visible and recognizable to potential employers. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of securing the job you want.

Cover Letters

Cover letters are a crucial aspect of any job application process. They serve as an opportunity to introduce yourself and highlight your qualifications to the hiring manager. In this section, we will cover the purpose and structure of a cover letter, how to format it, and the essential components it should contain. Additionally, we will discuss how to tailor a cover letter to a specific job opening.

A. Purpose and Structure of a Cover Letter

The primary purpose of a cover letter is to complement your resume and provide additional insight into your skills and experience. It should be a concise document that showcases your qualifications and explains why you are the ideal candidate for the job. A cover letter should be structured in several paragraphs, each with a specific focus that builds on the previous one.

B. How to Format a Cover Letter

When formatting a cover letter, you should ensure that it is professional and easy to read. A standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial, size 12-point, is ideal. Single spacing should be used between lines, while double spacing should be used between paragraphs. The document should be left-justified and have a 1-inch margin all around.

C. Essential Components of a Cover Letter

A cover letter should be composed of the following essential components:

Header: The header should include your contact information, including your name, address, phone number, and email address.

Salutation: Address the letter to the person responsible for the hiring process at the company. If you are unsure who this is, address it to the hiring manager or the department head.

Introduction: Begin the letter by introducing yourself, the position you are applying for, and where you found the job posting.

Body: In this section, emphasize your qualifications and relevant experience. Draw attention to the aspects of your resume that relate to the job opening and explain how you can contribute to the company.

Call-to-action: Close the letter with a call-to-action. Ask for an interview, and explain why you are the best fit for the job.

Closing: Thank the employer for their time and consideration, and include a sign-off such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”

D. Tailoring a Cover Letter to a Specific Job Opening

To tailor a cover letter to a specific job opening, begin by researching the company and the job. Review the job description and note the qualifications and requirements listed. Use this information to craft a cover letter that speaks to the needs of the employer. Focus on how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the job, and provide specific examples of your accomplishments. By customizing your cover letter, you demonstrate that you have taken the time to understand the company and the position, making you a more desirable candidate.

A well-written cover letter can be the key to securing an interview and landing your dream job.

Submitting and Following Up

When submitting your resume, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Here are some tips to help you get your resume noticed:

A. File format and size considerations

Most employers will specify the file format and size they prefer for resumes. Typically, PDF or Microsoft Word formats are accepted. Keep in mind that some companies may have software that automatically scans resumes for keywords, so make sure your file can be read by these systems.

In terms of file size, aim for a maximum of 1-2 MB. Large files can take longer to download and may be rejected by employers’ email systems.

B. Email etiquette

When emailing your resume, make sure the subject line is clear and specific. Include your name and the position you are applying for. Keep your email concise and professional. Avoid using emoticons or slang.

Make sure to proofread your email and attachment carefully. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues.

C. Following up after submitting a resume

After submitting your resume, it’s important to follow up with the employer. This shows that you are interested in the position and are taking initiative.

Wait a week or two before following up. Send a polite email asking for an update on the status of your application. If you don’t hear back after a second follow-up email, it’s best to assume that you were not selected for the position.

D. Handling a request for references

If an employer requests references, make sure to provide them promptly. Choose references who can speak to your work ethic, skills, and qualifications. Contact your references ahead of time and let them know you are applying for jobs and may be using them as a reference.

After you provide your references, follow up with the employer to confirm they received them. If you are not selected for the position, ask your references if they received a call and if they have any feedback to share.

E. Rejection and feedback

Not every job application will result in an offer. If you are not selected for a position, it’s important to handle the rejection professionally and learn from the experience.

Don’t take the rejection personally. Use it as an opportunity to reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement. If the employer provides feedback, take it into consideration and make changes to your resume or job search strategy as needed.

Remember that job searching can be a lengthy process. Stay positive, stay focused, and keep working towards your goals. With persistence and hard work, you will find the right opportunity.

Examples of Good and Bad Resumes

A. analysis of a strong resume.

A strong resume is one that effectively markets the candidate’s skills and experience to appeal to the hiring manager. This type of resume uses appropriate language, targets the specific job requirements, and highlights relevant achievements. The following is an analysis of a strong resume:

Header : The header includes the candidate’s name, professional title, and contact information. The title must be relevant to the job being applied for.

Summary : This section is a brief overview of the candidate’s experience, skills, and accomplishments. It must be tailored to the specific job description and include keywords that the hiring manager will be looking for.

Skills : This section lists the candidate’s core competencies that match the job description. It can include both hard and soft skills.

Experience : The experience section lists the candidate’s work history in reverse chronological order. Each job must include the job title, company, dates of employment, and relevant duties.

Education : This section lists the candidate’s degree(s), institution(s), and graduation date(s).

Achievements : This section highlights the candidate’s relevant achievements, awards, or recognitions.

B. Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure a resume stands out, it is essential to avoid common mistakes that can turn off the hiring manager. The following is a list of mistakes to avoid:

• Spelling and grammar errors: Candidates must proofread their resumes for errors.
• Including irrelevant information: Candidates should only include information that is relevant to the job being applied for.
• Using generic language: Candidates should tailor the resume language to the specific job description.
• Lack of focus: Candidates must be clear on their career goals and ensure that the resume reflects that.
• Overly designed resumes: Candidates should avoid using too many colors or graphics that distract from the content.

By avoiding these common mistakes, candidates can increase their chances of impressing the hiring manager and landing an interview.

A well-crafted resume must be compelling, concise, and relevant. A targeted resume that effectively markets the candidate’s skills and achievements will get the attention of hiring managers and increase the chances of getting hired.

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Expert Resume Writing Tips for 2023

• POSTED ON August 26, 2023
• by Marcjean Yutuc

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In 2023, writing a resume isn’t just about using templates you find in design tools. Technology has changed how employers hire, and this year brings some new things to know when creating your resume. Let’s talk about the latest resume writing tips for 2023 and how learning from career development courses plays a big role.

Your resume needs to tell a story about you. It’s not just a list of jobs and skills – it’s a way to show who you are and what you’ve achieved. Instead of following the same old patterns, experts suggest making your resume a unique reflection of your journey.

I reached out to experts for their insights, and they shared some valuable tips for resume writing in 2023. Let’s now uncover the best practices in writing a resume and understand how taking charge of your career path can make all the difference.

Resume Writing Tips That Will Help You Get Hired

Adding credibility with quantifiable achievements.

Incorporating quantifiable achievements adds a layer of credibility to your resume, showcasing your real impact. This approach resonates well with employers who are seeking tangible evidence of your capabilities and the value you can bring to their team.

Huzaifa Ghayas, Head of Marketing at Moneygeniustips, shares:

"To boost your credibility, back up your claims with quantifiable data that demonstrates your achievements. Utilize numbers and metrics to showcase the impact of your previous roles. For example, highlight revenue growth percentages, successful project numbers, or the size of teams you managed. Employers highly value tangible results, and this approach allows them to gain a better understanding of your abilities and the value you can bring to their organization." Huzaifa Ghayas, Head of Marketing at Moneygeniustips

For instance, consider stating that you led a marketing campaign that resulted in a 25% increase in website traffic or managed a team of 15 members during a successful product launch. These specifics communicate the scope and scale of your work, making it easier for potential employers to gauge your potential fit within their organization.

Here are some tips for adding quantifiable achievements to your resume:

• Highlight specific achievements: Rather than just stating your responsibilities, emphasize key achievements that demonstrate your impact.
• Tailor to the role: Customize your resume for each job application by focusing on achievements relevant to the position.
• Quantify whenever possible: Whenever you can use numbers to illustrate your achievements, do so to make them more compelling.
• Showgrowth: If applicable, showcase how you’ve grown in your career by mentioning promotions, new responsibilities, or skills acquired over time.

Strategically Listing Competencies

A modern approach involves highlighting your key skills in a dedicated section of your resume. This strategy serves a dual purpose: it helps both human recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) quickly identify your qualifications, ensuring you stand out as a suitable candidate.

Matthew Magnante, Content Writer & Strategist at FitnessVolt, shares his insights:

"Make sure to showcase your most relevant abilities in a separate part of your resume. Many organizations utilize applicant tracking systems (ATS), thus it's important to use keywords from the job description." Matthew Magnante, Content Writer & Strategist at FitnessVolt

ATS are computer programs that scan resumes for keywords that match the job description. One of the most common resume mistakes is not incorporating the right keywords or having formatting that ATS cannot recognize. If your resume doesn’t have the right keywords, it may not even be seen by a human recruiter.

That’s why it’s important to strategically list your competencies in a way that will be picked up by ATS. Here are a few tips:

• Tailor your skills: Customize your list of competencies for each job application to reflect the role’s requirements.
• Utilize keywords: Incorporate industry-specific keywords from the job description to increase your chances of passing through ATS filters.
• Be concise: Keep your list of competencies focused on the most relevant skills, avoiding overwhelming the reader.
• Show examples: When possible, provide examples of how you’ve applied these competencies in previous roles.
• Prioritize relevance: Highlight skills that directly align with the job’s responsibilities to create a strong connection between your abilities and the role’s demands.

Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

In today’s digitally-driven job market, understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work is essential. An expert-approved modern approach involves optimizing your resume to pass through these systems efficiently.

Dr. Edna Skopljak, MD and Medical Advisor at Health Reporter, shares:

"I've seen how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can filter out resumes that are not formatted correctly. To ensure your resume gets through these systems, use a traditional, single-column format without graphics or logos. This will make your resume easier to read for both ATS and human recruiters." Dr. Edna Skopljak, MD and Medical Advisor at Health Reporter

An ATS-friendly format enhances the scanability of your resume, making it more likely to pass through automated filters. This formatting tactic eliminates potential barriers that could prevent your qualifications from reaching human eyes.

More Tips for Crafting an Effective Resume:

• Prioritize text: Avoid using text boxes, tables, or complex formatting, as ATS might struggle to interpret them.
• Use relevant keywords: Include industry-specific keywords that align with the job description.
• Use standard fonts: Stick to commonly used fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri to ensure compatibility.
• Avoid uncommon symbols: ATS might misinterpret symbols or special characters, so it’s best to stick to standard punctuation.

LinkedIn Integration

A modern approach suggests seamlessly integrating your LinkedIn profile into your resume. LinkedIn is a professional networking site that allows you to connect with other professionals in your field. It’s a great way to show potential employers that you’re active in your industry and that you’re connected with other people who can vouch for your skills and experience.

Charlie Bitson, Hiring Manager at allassignmenthelp.org, shares his perspective:

"Include a link to your well-maintained LinkedIn profile. A professional online presence can provide a more comprehensive view of your qualifications." Charlie Bitson, Hiring Manager at allassignmenthelp.org

Here are some tips for including a link to your LinkedIn profile in your resume:

• Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and accurate: Include your latest work experience, education, skills, and accomplishments.
• Customize your LinkedIn URL: Personalize your LinkedIn URL to make it clean and professional (e.g., linkedin.com/in/YourName).
• Highlight key achievements: Use your LinkedIn profile to expand on specific accomplishments mentioned in your resume.
• Keep it professional: Ensure your LinkedIn profile aligns with your resume’s tone and portrays a consistent professional image.
• Engage with the community: Actively participate in industry discussions on LinkedIn to exhibit your knowledge and commitment. Improve your online networking skills .

Showcase Your Tech Fluency

In the modern job market of 2023, a robust grasp of technology is an asset that transcends industries. A contemporary approach to resume writing involves showcasing your tech fluency. This proactive approach demonstrates your adaptability and eagerness to engage with the evolving digital landscape.

Danilo Godoy, Founder of Wahojobs, shares his insights:

"In 2023, an understanding of the digital landscape is almost universally valuable. List relevant tools and technologies you're comfortable with , even if they're not explicitly required for the job." Danilo Godoy, Founder of Wahojobs

For example, if you’re applying for a social media manager position that emphasizes expertise in platforms like Hootsuite and Facebook Insights, expand your toolkit. Highlight your familiarity with graphic design tools such as Canva or Adobe Spark, showcasing your capability to create engaging visuals for social media content. This comprehensive tech proficiency aligns well with the modern expectations for social media managers.

Here are some tips for listing tech fluency on your resume:

• Be specific: Don’t just say “I’m familiar with Microsoft Office.” Instead, list specific programs and applications that you know how to use, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Be up-to-date: Don’t list technologies that are outdated or no longer in use. Make sure to list the latest and greatest technologies that are relevant to your field.
• Be honest: List only the tech skills you’re genuinely comfortable using. Don’t exaggerate or misrepresent your abilities.

Showcase Your Remote Work Skills

Remote work has taken center stage. Given the prevalence of fully remote or hybrid work setups in many companies today, showcasing your readiness for remote work can be a game-changer.

Danilo Godoy, Founder of Wahojobs, again offers his insights:

"Highlighting remote work experience and skills, such as time management, self-discipline, and adaptability, can be a game-changer. Many companies are now fully remote or hybrid." Danilo Godoy, Founder of Wahojobs

Mention concrete examples of your ability to manage time effectively while working remotely, your practice of maintaining communication and productivity, and instances where you’ve demonstrated adaptability to changing remote work dynamics.

Here are some tips for highlighting remote work skills on your resume:

• List your remote work experience prominently on your resume: This will show potential employers that you have experience working remotely and that you’re comfortable with the arrangement.
• Describe your remote work skills in detail: Don’t just say that you’re a good time manager. Explain how you’ve used time management skills to succeed in your previous roles.
• Get certified in remote work skills: There are many different certifications available that can demonstrate your skills and experience in remote work.

Add a Portfolio

A portfolio is important because it can help you stand out from the competition and show potential employers your skills and experience in a more visual and engaging way.

Shawna Tregunna, CEO and Chief Strategist at Acclivity Agency, shares:

"If I have to choose between a resume and a portfolio I’ll take a portfolio every time. Job seekers in knowledge-based or creative industries should strongly consider augmenting their resume with a portfolio (deck or website) or replacing their resume with a portfolio altogether." Shawna Tregunna, CEO and Chief Strategist at Acclivity Agency

If you’re applying for a graphic design or content creation role, consider crafting a portfolio that showcases your past projects. An accompanying personal website or a presentation deck can provide an in-depth look at your expertise and style.

If you’re considering including a portfolio in your resume, here are a few tips:

• Make sure your portfolio is well-organized and easy to navigate: Potential employers should be able to easily find the work that is most relevant to their needs.
• Highlight your best work: Don’t include everything you’ve ever done. Only include your best work, and make sure it’s work that is relevant to the jobs you’re applying for.
• Keep it concise: A portfolio should be no more than a few pages long. Potential employers don’t have time to read through a long portfolio.
• Keep it updated: Regularly refresh your portfolio to reflect your most recent and relevant work.

Essential Soft Skills: What Employers Seek

In today’s job market, employers recognize that technical expertise is only part of the equation. Soft skills – those intangible qualities that shape how we interact, communicate, and problem-solve – hold immense value. While the specific soft skills in demand may vary based on the position or industry, certain traits consistently stand out as highly desirable. Tailoring your resume to highlight these soft skills in a specific and effective manner can significantly boost your candidacy.

The prominence of certain soft skills can vary based on the role and industry. It’s essential to research the specific skills most relevant to your desired position and weave them into your resume accordingly.

Emotional Intelligence

Employers value candidates who can understand and manage their emotions while navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. Showcasing emotional intelligence on your resume involves providing examples of how you’ve effectively communicated, resolved conflicts, and fostered positive relationships.

Leadership Skills

Even if you’re not applying for a leadership role, employers appreciate individuals who exhibit leadership qualities . Highlight instances where you’ve taken initiative, guided teams, or influenced positive outcomes, demonstrating your potential to lead and inspire.

Critical Thinking Skills

Problem-solving and analytical thinking are highly sought-after skills. Present scenarios on your resume where you’ve tackled challenges with a thoughtful and innovative approach, showcasing your ability to make informed decisions and adapt to changing circumstances.

Creativity and Innovation

In a rapidly evolving world, creativity and the ability to think outside the box are assets. Share instances where you’ve proposed fresh ideas, contributed to novel solutions, or helped drive innovation within projects or teams.

Project Management Skills

Effective project management involves proper initiation, implementation, and monitoring. If you possess this skill, present instances where you’ve successfully coordinated projects, met deadlines, and maintained a high level of organization.

Cultural Intelligence

In a globalized workforce, cultural sensitivity and adaptabilit y are essential. If you’ve worked in diverse teams or navigated cross-cultural environments, highlight these experiences to demonstrate your ability to collaborate across different backgrounds.

Communication Skills

Clear communication is vital in any role. Your resume should reflect your proficiency in articulating ideas, collaborating with others, and tailoring your communication style to various audiences.

Remember, while these soft skills are universally valued, their emphasis can differ based on the job. Research your desired role, industry, and company culture to tailor your resume effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions about Writing a Resume in 2023

What’s the biggest mistake to avoid on my resume.

Neglecting to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for. Customize your resume to match the job description and highlight relevant skills and experiences.

How long should my resume be?

In most cases, aim for a concise one-page resume. However, if you have extensive experience, a two-page resume can be acceptable. Prioritize quality content over excessive length.

Should I include personal information like my address and marital status?

Modern resume trends lean towards omitting personal information like addresses and marital status. Focus on your professional qualifications and relevant skills instead.

Is it necessary to include references on my resume?

References are typically not included on a resume. Instead, create a separate reference list that you can provide when requested during the interview process.

How do I showcase remote work skills on my resume?

Highlight your proficiency in remote work tools, time management, self-discipline, and adaptability. Mention specific instances of successful remote work experiences.

Can I use a creative resume template?

While creative templates can catch the eye, ensure they don’t compromise readability. Many Applicant Tracking Systems struggle with complex formatting, so prioritize clarity.

Is it important to include a LinkedIn profile link?

Yes, integrating your LinkedIn profile is recommended. It adds credibility and offers employers a more comprehensive view of your professional background.

Can I list skills that aren’t directly related to the job?

It’s beneficial to include transferable skills that can enhance your candidacy. Emphasize skills that align with the job description or demonstrate your adaptability.

Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

While not always required, a well-crafted cover letter can provide additional insights into your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. Use it to complement your resume.

Key Takeaways

Resume writing in 2023 is not like before. It’s changed, and we need to adapt. The experts in this article have shared valuable tips that can make your resume stand out.

Use their advice to your advantage. Pay attention to things like remote work skills, ATS formatting, soft skills, and creating a portfolio. These things matter in today’s job market.

And there’s more. You can learn even more with Skill Success All Access Pass . This gives you access to lots of courses, including ones about making great resumes, improving your LinkedIn profile, and acing job interviews. It’s a way to level up your skills and boost your chances of success.

Ready to fully dive into your learning? Join All Access Pass and unlock our entire course library for only $15/month.

Click here to learn more

Marcjean Yutuc

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Resume Writing Tips for 2023

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• Post category: Job Search / Resume Writing

I’ve been providing  resume tips and writing assistance  for over ten years. Over the last year, I could not help but notice some common errors that most people make when writing a resume. Today, I am sharing my best resume writing tips for 2023 to help you stand out amongst many applicants in today’s job market.

Test your Resume Knowledge with this Free Quiz!

Before we get into the tips, try this free resume quiz! No follow-up emails, no spam – just test what you know. 

I’ve organized my resume writing tips for 2023 into a few key sections and considerations. Review each below to see what additions, changes, or corrections you need to make to highlight yourself best to future employers.

Sections for Your Resume

When choosing sections for your resume, do not feel forced to use the traditional resume headings of “education,” “work experience,” and “skills.” Instead, choose sections for your resume that will grab the employer’s attention and best highlight your experience. Consider a projects section for recent graduates and students that allows you to highlight relevant projects you completed during your education. If you are a seasoned professional, consider a “Key Outcomes” or “Professional Achievements” section near the top of your resume that highlights outcomes most relevant and valuable to the employer. I’ll give you more tips below under “Sections to Include.”

Resume Length

If you are a college student of traditional age (18-22), keep your resume to one page. Only established professionals with several years of relevant industry experience should consider a two-page resume. If/when your resume does spill onto two pages, don’t expect the information on the second page to get as much attention as the content on page one. The average resume reviewer will spend about 10 seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether or not to move on to the next one or read further. As a result, your most impressive and relevant information about the job you are applying for should come toward the top of the first page. 

Sections to Include

At a minimum, you must highlight your education and experience on your resume. Beyond these two sections, information on a resume will vary from person to person. Again, one of my best resume writing tips for 2023 is determining what information will be the most valuable and relevant to the employer’s needs. How you answer that question should determine what other sections you include on your resume. For example, if I am entering the medical field and specific certifications are required, such as a nursing license, First-Aid Training, and CPR Certification, I would consider a section titled “Medical Certifications & Licenses” to catch the eye of employers.

Education/Training Section

This section is very important for young professionals and students as it is sometimes the most relevant information about their career field. Another one of my biggest resume tips: do not include high school information on your resume! This takes up valuable space, and enrollment in a college, university, or vocational school/training usually requires the completion of a high school diploma. Information you should include here is the name of the institution at which you are studying, your major or program of study, anticipated graduation date, your GPA (if it is above a 3.0), and any academic honors, such as Dean’s List, that demonstrate your level of commitment to your education and your work ethic.

Your experience is more impressive and relevant to future employers if you are a more established professional. After about 3-5 years of industry experience, most employers consider education less crucial and on-the-job experience much more valuable. As a result, my resume tips for established professionals typically include spending less time and energy on education and using more space on the resume to emphasize experience.

Experience Section

This is the section most people tend to struggle with the most. Make it easy on yourself and print a job description first! If you print the job posting and highlight all the skills, qualifications, and duties you possess or have performed, your resume will be tailored to the employer and will make writing your resume easy!

After you have determined the skills/job duties you meet, list your jobs, volunteer experience, and any internship experience on your resume in reverse chronological order. The most recent go at the top of the list ! Include the position title, name of the company, and the months and years of employment (i.e., Lifeguard, Central City YMCA, May 2018 – Present). Then, begin writing a bulleted list of duties with the items you identified from the job description first! Finally, fill in additional bullet points for each job by choosing duties or skills relevant to the job you are applying for. If you don’t have three to five items for each job, think of instances you went above and beyond at that job and write your remaining list items based on that information.

After getting your bulleted lists for each job on paper, go back and look closely. Your bulleted lists should:

• Be written in short phrases.
• Begin with an action word.
• Provide tangible evidence of a skill or quality.
• Be concise and clear rather than ambiguous and general.

Here is an example of a well-written block of text for the experience section of a resume.

Lifeguard, Central City YMCA Centerville, GA (May 2020 – Present)

• Provide CPR, first-aid, and other medical assistance to patrons
• Promote healthy lifestyles, diet, and exercise during individual swim instruction
• Train and mentor new lifeguards in company protocol and safety procedures
• Perform daily checks of the pool chemical and first-aid equipment to ensure safety

Optional Resume Components

As mentioned above, additional sections on a resume should be determined individually. One might choose to include a “Certifications & Licenses” section, “Professional Development,” “Community & Campus Involvement,” or, perhaps even more common, “Skills.” The key here is to make sure what you are including serves a purpose and isn’t put there to use space.

If a “Skills” section is chosen, be specific. Remember, anyone can write “leadership skills” on a resume. What employers are interested in is HOW you have demonstrated those skills. Providing information about a leadership position is much more impressive and relevant than simply stating that you have leadership skills.

Consider including an objective on your resume if you are attending a job or career fair and will be handing out multiple copies. An objective is a statement that provides a clear professional goal and offers something compelling to keep a potential employer reading. When applying for specific positions, I recommend skipping the objective and writing an impressive cover letter. Either way, an objective is optional but can be very effective when well-written!

Listing references on a resume should only occur when a young student has difficulty filling a one-page resume with other, more valuable information. References are typically contacted AFTER the interview process. It takes time and effort to track down references, and employers are unlikely to put forth this effort until they are serious about making an employment offer. It is a shame when students remove valuable and impressive experience or involvement from a resume to make space for references.

Final Resume Writing Tips for 2023

These resume tips will ensure your resume is off to a great start! It is always best to have a second (or even third) set of eyes reviewing your document. We often don’t catch our errors or awkward wording when we proofread our work. Other people can ask questions and help us be more transparent and specific with our resume content.

Are you interested in professional help? Send your resume to me, and I’ll provide a list of revisions and examples to help you strengthen your professional resume! Get expert eyes on your resume to ensure you get the interview!

FREE GUIDE: Download the Ultimate Resume Checklist

Make sure your resume includes these critical elements, so you stand out amongst multitudes of applicants!

Want help with your resume or job search?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit with students and young professionals one-on-one with their career endeavors! Whether you want tailored resume help or assistance finding and landing your dream job , I can help!

Book a free consultation today !

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10 Best Resume Builders to Create A Great Resume – 2024 Guide

A re you exhausted from investing endless hours into creating an impeccable CV? This article introduces the top resume builders that will revolutionize your job application approach. Bid farewell to monotonous formatting and greet a remarkable resume that distinguishes itself from the rivalry. Prepare yourself to secure your dream job with self-assurance effortlessly!

>> Unlock Your Career Potential With Super Star Resume

10 Best Resume Writing Services

• Super Star Resume - Best overall
• ZipJob - Best for guarantees
• Resumeble - Best with custom bundles
• Let’s Eat, Grandma - Best for range of career service
• ResumeSpice - Best for job seekers of any level
• TopResume - Best customer service
• Resume Writing Services - Best for affordability
• Craft Resumes - Best for quick turnaround
• Resume Companion - Best value resume writing service
• Resume.com - Best free service

When creating this compilation, we considered different elements such as affordability, ease of use, accessibility, the privacy policies of the companies involved, and more. The highest-rated services offer advice, templates, and tools and allow you to consult with experts who can help you craft an impressive resume highlighting your strengths to potential employers.

Our collection comprises free services and those that make use of professional writers’ skills. Some options require a subscription or one-time payment.

>> Secure Your Dream Job With Super Star Resume

Super Star Resume - Best Resume Builder Overall

Star Rating: 4.9/5

Super Star Resume is an innovative resume builder that completely transforms creating professional resumes. By offering a user-friendly interface and a range of powerful features, Super Star Resume enables individuals to produce exceptional resumes that effectively showcase their abilities, accomplishments, and work history.

• Skilled and seasoned writers
• Customized strategy aligned with unique career objectives
• Timely delivery of resumes
• More significant expense compared to certain other resume writing services
• Restricted selection of additional services
• Availability may be restricted depending on demand and geographic location
• Intuitive resume builder: An intuitive interface that simplifies the resume creation process, offering modern templates for a professional look.
• Customization choices: Users can personalize their resumes by selecting from various font styles, colors, layouts, and sections to align with their unique style.
• Comprehensive content suggestions: Access to a collection of expertly curated bullet points, action verbs, and industry-specific phrases to craft impactful resume content.
• Real-time previews and editing: Real-time previewing and editing capabilities ensure a visually appealing and error-free final resume.
• Integration with professional networking platforms: Integration with LinkedIn allows users to maintain consistency between their online presence and resume.
• Tailored resumes for different job applications: The duplication feature facilitates the creation of multiple resume versions, each customized for specific job applications or industries.
• Resume analytics and tracking: Users can monitor the views and downloads of their resumes, gaining valuable insights to optimize their job search strategies.
• Professional Resume : $169
• Resume With Cover Letter : $199
• All-Included : $199

>> Use Super Star Resume to Secure Your Dream Job

ZipJob - Best Resume Builder for Guarantees

Star Rating: 4.7/5

ZipJob is widely regarded as an excellent option for resume creation, especially for those who value guarantees. Their impressive 60-day assurance ensures that individuals searching for employment will experience a surge in interview invitations within this period.

If this desired outcome cannot materialize, ZipJob proactively offers a complimentary review and revision of your resume. This guarantee highlights their commitment to client contentment and showcases their unwavering belief in the superior quality of their resume writing services.

• The starting package is cost-effective
• Complimentary ATS check included
• 60-day interview assurance with higher-tier packages
• The design and layout made it challenging to read the resume
• The summary section was overly lengthy and filled with clichés
• The formatting of the education and training sections was subpar
• Expert resume writers: ZipJob provides access to a team of expert resume writers with the skills and knowledge to review, evaluate, and optimize your resume for compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and hiring managers.
• ATS optimization: Meaning they ensure your resume is structured and formatted to navigate and succeed in ATS filters effectively. Employers commonly use these filters to assess and rank resumes during the initial screening process.
• Keyword optimization: The resume builder online offered by ZipJob assists you in identifying and integrating pertinent keywords and industry-specific terminology. This practice heightens the visibility of your resume, making it more likely to capture the attention of hiring managers.
• Job-specific content suggestions: ZipJob provides valuable advice regarding the most relevant and influential content to include in your resume for different job titles and industries. This guidance is invaluable in customizing your resume for specific roles.
• Cover letter writing assistance: ZipJob supports the creation of impactful cover letters that complement your resume, strengthening your overall job application.
• Unlimited revisions: One noteworthy feature of ZipJob is the option for unlimited revisions and updates to your resume. This ensures that your resume not only meets but continues to meet your specific requirements and mirrors your professional growth.
• Collaboration with resume writers: the platform facilitates direct collaboration with the resume writers, enabling you to share additional information, discuss specific requirements, and seek clarifications at any stage of the resume creation process.
• Launch Package: $139 (or $48/mo)
• Fast Track Package: $189 (or $65/mo)
• Premium Package: $299 (or $27/mo)

>> Use ZipJob to Secure Your Dream Job

Resumeble - Best Resume Builder With Custom Bundles

Star Rating: 4.3/5

Resumeble is a highly efficient and user-friendly resume builder that empowers individuals to create professional and compelling resumes. With Resumeble, crafting a standout resume becomes a streamlined process thanks to its intuitive interface and extensive range of customizable templates.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or someone looking to change careers, Resumeble caters to all needs and skill sets. It offers helpful suggestions and expert advice to ensure your resume showcases your unique qualifications and achievements in the best possible light.

• A 60-day interview guarantee is included
• Budget-friendly package deals are available
• It’s more established than some other websites
• Keyword optimization: This feature helps optimize your resume by suggesting relevant keywords aligned with your target industry or job, enhancing your visibility to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and recruiters.
• Content import: Resumeble allows you to import your existing resume or LinkedIn profile, saving you the time and effort of manual data entry.
• Real-time editing: You have the convenience of editing and modifying your resume in real time, providing the flexibility to experiment with various formats, sections, and content.
• ATS compatibility: Resumeble ensures your resume is ATS-compatible, essential for better visibility and a higher chance of being shortlisted by employers using Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Download options: The platform offers various download formats, including PDF, Word, and plain text, ensuring compatibility with diverse application processes.
• Cover letter builder: Resumeble features an integrated cover letter builder, streamlining the creation of professional and personalized cover letters that complement your resume.
• Career Pro Package : $159.00
• Professional Package : $299.00
• Premium Package : $399.00

>> Use Resumeble to Secure Your Dream Job

Let’s Eat, Grandma - Best Resume Builder for Range of Career Service

Star Rating: 4/5

Let’s Eat, Grandma is an inventive and progressive tool for creating impressive resumes. The platform streamlines the resume-building process, making it easier for job seekers to craft exceptional resumes. With Let’s Eat, Grandma, individuals can create unique resumes that catch the eye of employers and set them apart from the competition.

This user-friendly platform offers a range of customizable templates that allow users to tailor their resumes to showcase their specific skills and experiences. Let’s Eat, Grandma also provides expert advice and recommendations to help ensure that your qualifications and achievements are effectively highlighted in your resume.

• Complimentary resume evaluation
• Choices available for individuals from entry-level to executive-level positions
• Extensive collaboration opportunities
• Not specialized in academic CVs or federal resumes
• Relatively higher pricing compared to some other services
• Potential for a longer turnaround time compared to competing services
• Expert choice: You can save your resume in multiple formats (PDF, Word, plain text) or easily share it with potential employers via email or a link, simplifying the distribution of your resume.
• Error highlighting: The builder can identify potential errors, inconsistencies, or missing information within your resume and provide suggestions or alerts for improvement.
• Section prompts: Pre-written prompts for various resume sections (e.g., work experience, education, skills) can help you structure your resume effectively and ensure you include essential details in each area.
• Customizable sections: You can add, remove, or rearrange sections to tailor your resume to emphasize your strengths and relevant experiences.
• Keyword optimization: The resume builder can recommend industry-specific keywords based on the job description, enhancing your resume’s chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and grabbing the attention of hiring managers.
• Starter Package : Priced at $439, but there is an anti-inflation sale price of $389.
• Accelerated Package : $549.
• The premium Package : $689, but the anti-inflation sale price is $614.
• Executive Concierge Service : $1,899 or as low as $119/month.

>> Use Let’s Eat, Grandma to Secure Your Dream Job

ResumeSpice - Best Resume Builder for Job Seekers of Any Level

Star Rating: 3.8/5

ResumeSpice , a renowned online resume builder, streamlines crafting professional resumes. This platform provides job seekers with a user-friendly interface and a wide selection of templates, enabling them to create impressive resumes that align with their career objectives.

With ResumeSpice’s seamless experience, users are guided through each resume section effortlessly while receiving valuable tips throughout the process. From personal details and work history to skills and accomplishments, this platform ensures that all crucial aspects of a resume are comprehensively addressed.

• Additional assistance
• Timely service
• ATS optimization
• Guaranteed interviews
• Restricted revisions
• Insufficient customization options
• Restricted refund policy
• User-friendly interface: ResumeSpice boasts an intuitive and user-friendly platform, simplifying the resume creation process and offering a seamless experience to users.
• Extensive template library: The platform offers a vast selection of professionally designed templates tailored to various industries and job positions. Users can explore different styles and layouts to find the perfect match for their needs.
• Import and export options: ResumeSpice enables users to import their existing resumes in formats like PDF or Word for easy editing and updates. Users can conveniently export their finalized resumes in multiple formats, facilitating sharing with employers or uploading to job portals.
• Mobile-friendly design: ResumeSpice is optimized for mobile devices, allowing users to create and modify their resumes using smartphones or tablets.
• Cloud storage: The platform provides secure cloud storage for users’ resumes, ensuring accessibility and updates from any device with an internet connection.
• Resume tracking: ResumeSpice includes tools for tracking the performance of submitted resumes, such as monitoring views, downloads, and application outcomes. These features empower users to evaluate their progress and make data-driven enhancements to their job search strategies.
• Entry Level Resume : $479
• Professional Resume : $589
• Executive Resume : $699

>> Use ResumeSpice to Secure Your Dream Job

TopResume - Best Resume Builder for Customer Service

Star Rating: 3.6/5

TopResume is an outstanding resume builder explicitly tailored for customer service professionals. It offers a seamless and user-friendly experience, enabling users to create exceptional resumes effortlessly. The platform goes beyond just providing a basic resume template, offering valuable suggestions and tips to optimize the content.

This ensures that each resume created on TopResume is unique and attention-grabbing in the highly competitive job market.

Besides its user-friendly interface, TopResume provides expert review services. These services allow skilled professionals to provide personalized feedback on resumes, helping enhance their overall quality further. By leveraging this feedback and incorporating attention to detail, customer service professionals can create compelling resumes that effectively capture the attention of potential employers.

• Streamlined registration process
• Well-designed and formatted one-page resume
• The summary and Job Scope sections were overly extended
• The training section needed to have prominence
• Skill-based sections: The resume builder features dedicated sections highlighting essential customer service skills, including communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and relationship building.
• Expert review services: TopResume provides expert review services where experienced professionals offer personalized feedback and recommendations to enhance the overall quality of your resume.
• ATS compatibility: The platform ensures that the resumes created are compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which employers commonly use for scanning and filtering resumes.
• Download and sharing options: Users can download their resumes in various formats, such as PDF or Word, and easily share them with potential employers or upload them to job portals.
• Industry-Specific Tips: TopResume offers industry-specific tips and guidance to assist users in tailoring their resumes to the customer service field, helping them stand out among competitors.
• Cover letter builder: Besides resume building, TopResume provides a builder that empowers users to craft professional and compelling cover letters customized for customer service roles.
• Mobile accessibility: The platform is mobile-friendly, allowing users to create, edit, and update their resumes while on the go, using their smartphones or tablets.
• Entry level : Up to 200$.
• Professional level : Up to 200$-400$.
• Executive level : Up to $350-$700.

>> Use TopResume to Secure Your Dream Job

Resume Writing Services - Best Resume Builder for Affordability

Star Rating: 3.3/5

While Resumewritingservices.org may be a different size than its competitors, it stands out due to its team of talented and experienced resume writers. The website is user-friendly and provides exceptional service. However, this service’s true strength lies in its writers’ expertise.

Resumewritingservices.org sets itself apart by offering a comprehensive consultation process and goes beyond expectations by providing unlimited calls with its resume writers. This personalized approach distinguishes them from other companies and guarantees each client receives individual attention and support.

• Experienced resume writers of the highest caliber
• Unlimited phone consultations and revisions
• More expensive than rival services
• A limited range of products
• Skilled and experienced resume writers: Resumewritingservices.org takes pride in its team of highly trained and professional resume writers who possess a deep understanding of crafting effective resumes.
• Personalized service: Resumewritingservices.org offers a personal touch by providing unlimited calls with their resume writers. This unique feature allows clients to engage in direct communication and close collaboration with the writers throughout the resume creation process.
• Competitive job market expertise: The writers at Resumewritingservices.org have knowledge of current job market trends. This ensures that the resumes they create are optimized to excel in today’s fiercely competitive job market.
• Quality Assurance: The service maintains a rigorous quality assurance process to guarantee that the resumes delivered to clients meet the highest standards and align with their expectations.
• Timely delivery: Resumewritingservices.org is committed to delivering resumes within the agreed-upon timeframe, ensuring clients receive their documents promptly.
• Client satisfaction guarantee: Resumewritingservices.org offers a client satisfaction guarantee, assuring clients are fully content with the final resume. The service is ready to provide revisions if necessary.
• Affordable pricing: Resumewritingservices.org provides pricing options that are competitive and transparent, making professional resume writing accessible to a wide range of job seekers.

Resumewritingservices.org employs a pricing system that is clear and easy to understand for their resume-building services. The initial package begins at $270 , including a comprehensive consultation with a skilled resume writer and developing an individualized resume.

They offer extra options that enable customers to personalize their packages based on their unique preferences. This adaptable pricing strategy guarantees that clients can choose the services that align with their requirements and financial constraints.

>> Use Resume Writing Services to Secure Your Dream Job

Craft Resumes - Best Resume Builder for Quick-Turnaround

Star Rating: 3/5

Craft Resumes stand out as a well-established writing and editing service known for its ability to deliver effective outcomes. Our dedication to providing a 24-hour turnaround guarantees you’ll receive the initial version of your resume promptly.

Navigating our user-friendly website is effortless, making it easy to use our services. At Craft Resumes, we specialize in crafting customized resumes to match your skills, qualifications, and aspirations for your career.

• Speedy completion
• Customized CVs
• Intuitive site
• Insufficient details
• Absence of assurances
• Quick turnaround: Craft Resumes commits to delivering the initial draft of your resume within 24 hours, ensuring a speedy and efficient service.
• Expert Writers: Craft Resumes prides itself on its team of experienced writers who possess expertise across various industries and stay up-to-date with current hiring trends. They’re dedicated to making your resume stand out and catch the attention of potential employers.
• Unlimited revisions: We provide unlimited revisions to guarantee your complete satisfaction. If you have specific changes or additions in mind, our team will collaborate with you closely to implement the modifications.
• Confidentiality and Privacy: At Craft Resumes, we prioritize the confidentiality and privacy of your personal information. You can trust that your data will be handled securely and with the utmost discretion.
• Tailored resumes: We specialize in tailoring resumes to align with your career objectives, industry, and job requirements. Each resume is personalized to accentuate your unique strengths and qualifications.
• Resume Writing : $229.00
• Basic : $279.99
• Optimal : $339.99
• All-In-One : $499.99

>> Use Craft Resumes to Secure Your Dream Job

Resume Companion - Best Value Resume Builder

Star Rating: 2.8/5

Resume Companion is a virtual platform and service that specializes in aiding individuals in creating resumes that are professional and impactful. It offers an array of resources and tools to assist job seekers in crafting interesting resumes that effectively showcase their skills, experiences, and qualifications.

A prominent feature of Resume Companion is its user-friendly resume builder. This tool allows users to select from various professionally designed templates and personalize them based on their specific requirements.

Users can effortlessly incorporate their personal information, employment history, educational background, skill set, and other pertinent details to produce a customized resume tailored to their needs.

• Intuitive user interface
• High-quality templates
• Efficiency-boosting functions
• Cost-effective choice
• Restricted editing features without subscription
• Absence of extensive customization options
• Limited availability of extra services
• Cover letter builder: Resume Companion goes beyond resumes and provides users with a tool for crafting customized cover letters tailored to specific job applications. This feature guides users through the process, helping them effectively present their qualifications and make a compelling case to prospective employers.
• ATS optimization: In today’s job market, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Resume Companion helps users ensure their resumes are ATS-friendly. The platform offers valuable tips and insights on incorporating relevant keywords, formatting the document correctly, and increasing the likelihood of passing through the ATS screening process.
• Educational resources: Resume Companion extends its services by offering an informative blog and educational materials that cover various aspects of resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, and career development guidance. These resources provide users with valuable insights and advice to help them create impressive resumes and enhance their job search efforts.
• Download and sharing options: Upon completing their resumes, users can conveniently download their documents in multiple formats, including PDF and Word. Resume Companion also makes it easy for users to share their resumes online or print them offline.
• Customer support: Resume Companion values user satisfaction and offers customer support to assist with users’ questions or concerns while utilizing the platform. Users can access support through email or the platform’s contact form.

Resume Companion provides a cost-effective solution for individuals seeking an all-inclusive service. It’s vital to remember subscription renewal is required to access future editing services. In summary, Resume Companion offers a wallet-friendly option for those who desire a user-friendly resume-building experience without needing advanced writing abilities.

>> Use Resume Companion to Secure Your Dream Job

Our Ranking Methodology for Best Resume Writing Services

To comprehensively and objectively rank the top resume writing services, it is essential to have a thorough methodology. The first step in this process was conducting extensive research and analysis. This involved gathering a comprehensive list of reputable resume-writing services from multiple sources such as online searches, customer reviews, industry directories, and personal recommendations.

• Feature analysis: Evaluate the functionalities provided by each resume builder, considering elements like template variety and quality, customization flexibility, user-friendly editing and formatting options, import/export capabilities, spell check and grammar tools, and integration with job search platforms and professional networks.
• Template collection: Examine the assortment and quality of templates. Look for a wide range that suits various industries, job levels, and design preferences, considering these templates’ aesthetics, readability, and contemporary design.
• Editing and customization: Scrutinize the adaptability and user-friendliness of the editing and customization tools each resume builder provides. Assess the capacity to add or modify sections, reorganize content, and tailor resumes to specific job requirements.
• User interface and experience: Analyze the user interface and the overall user experience each resume builder offers. Evaluate the ease of navigation, instruction clarity, guidance or prompts, and the platform’s responsiveness.
• Integration with job search platforms: Determine whether resume builders offer seamless integration with popular job search platforms and professional networks like LinkedIn or ATS systems. Consider how well the resumes can be transferred and their compatibility with these platforms.
• Additional resources: Evaluate if the resume builders provide extra resources such as sample resumes, tools for creating cover letters, interview tips, or career advice. Consider the breadth and practicality of these supplementary resources.
• Mobile-friendliness: Gauge the mobile-friendliness and responsiveness of the resume builders, recognizing the growing trend of mobile job searching and application processes.
• Customer support: Reflect on the accessibility and quality of customer support services, encompassing options like live chat, email support, or knowledge bases. Assess the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team.
• Pricing and value for money: Appraise the pricing plans presented by the resume builders in terms of the value they offer based on features, usability, and overall service quality.
• Industry reputation: Consider the standing and trustworthiness of the resume builders, considering factors such as awards, recognition, partnerships, and user feedback from reputable sources.

Buyer’s Guide: Why Use a Resume Builder?

Crafting a well-crafted CV comes naturally to particular job seekers. However, even the most seasoned experts may need help in resume writing. If you find yourself in need of help with creating a compelling resume, here are several ways in which the best online resume builder can be beneficial:

Resume builders provide users with pre-designed templates and helpful tips, streamlining the process of writing a resume and alleviating stress.

Offers Writing Tips

Promoting oneself requires considerable effort. Only some people possess writing skills, even if they enjoy self-promotion. To showcase one’s experience and knowledge effectively, a resume builder can help select the most appropriate words and phrases.

Improves Design

In every field, there are unique standards for an impressive resume. If you need to gain knowledge in design or the tools, resume builders can provide free templates to enhance your resume’s visual appeal and quality.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Recruiters often use ATS systems to scan resumes. A good resume builder will help with formatting to ensure that your resume is easy for these systems to read.

What’s the Best Resume Builder?

The ideal resume builder for each individual may differ according to their specific requirements. If you prefer a tool that offers step-by-step guidance in creating your resume, we suggest using a builder that provides helpful tips and recommendations. If you prefer a resume builder that auto-generates a summary, we recommend using a tool that extracts information from your LinkedIn profile.

For those who enjoy having creative control over their resumes, we suggest using a platform with features. By selecting the resume builder that aligns with your needs and suits your industry and personal style, you’ll significantly increase your chances of capturing the attention of hiring managers.

Resume Builder vs. Resume Writing Service: What Matters for You

When it comes to crafting a resume, there are three options available. You can opt to create it independently, use a resume builder tool, or enlist the services of a professional resume writer. Your best choice will depend on your writing abilities, available time, and financial resources.

Do-It-Yourself

You have the choice to construct a resume entirely by yourself. The benefit of this option is that it costs nothing but requires a significant amount of effort. Along with composing all the information, you must possess graphic design skills.

This approach works well if you have these abilities, but with them, your options for creating a resume are unlimited. To overcome this limitation, you can use a resume builder or enlist the help of a resume writing service.

Resume Builder

A tool for creating resumes allows you to input your details into a template, resulting in an original appearance and layout with no design work. The top resume building tools also offer suggestions on enhancing your resume and tailoring it to match the specific job you are applying for.

While you are still responsible for writing the content, once it is written, you can quickly transfer that information into any other template with just a few simple clicks. Some of these services are free and many like to promote themselves as such, but most require a small payment to download your finished resume.

Professional Resume Writing Service

Professional resume writing services are expensive, but they offer the convenience of handling all the work for you. An experienced writer will gather relevant information about your background and transform it into a unique and engaging resume.

The process typically takes a few days, and the level of originality in the outcome largely relies on your choice of company and writer. However, we will not delve into these services further in this guide.

Are Resume Builders Worth It?

Definitely, without a doubt. An effective resume creator will guarantee that your CV is formatted correctly to navigate Applicant Tracking Systems and ultimately reach the hands of recruiters.

Is It Unprofessional to Use a Microsoft Word Resume Template?

Relying on a template will not set you apart, and there is a high likelihood that your application will be dismissed because your resume is identical to those of other job seekers.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right resume builder is crucial in today’s competitive job market. Creating a professional and impactful resume that stands out from the crowd can significantly impact your job search. With the right tool, you can save time, improve your chances of landing an interview, and ultimately secure your dream job.

When selecting a resume builder, consider your specific needs and priorities. Look for features like customizable templates, industry-specific examples, and the ability to export your resume in different formats. Consider user reviews and ratings to ensure you choose a reputable and reliable platform.

Remember, an exceptional tool for crafting resumes should give you the power to present your skills, experience, and accomplishments effectively. It should simplify and expedite creating a resume without hassle. Investing in a reliable resume builder is investing in your professional future.

Therefore, explore the different options available for resume builders. Test out their free trials or demos and choose the best fit for your objectives. Our top recommendation is Super Star Resume . This meticulously designed resume can open doors to exciting career prospects and be a dependable companion on your journey toward success.

Ahad Waseem is a business, blockchain, and cybersecurity writer who often takes on art, politics, and economics too. As a linguistic engineer who writes to solve problems, he’s written for various tech and business publications. When he’s not writing, he’s probably on horseback, caring for his houseplants, or training Bonsai trees. He can be reached at [email protected] . McClatchy’s newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links.

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