Resume Writing Tips
Practical advice to help your resume stand out and get you more interviews.
1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
One of the most effective things you can do is customize your resume for each position you apply to. Review the job description carefully and adjust your summary, skills, and experience bullets to highlight the qualifications that matter most for that specific role.
Recruiters spend an average of 6-8 seconds scanning a resume. If they do not see relevant keywords quickly, your application will be passed over.
2. Use Strong Action Verbs
Start each bullet point with a powerful action verb. This makes your contributions sound more impactful and professional.
Do Use
- Developed
- Implemented
- Optimized
- Led
- Designed
- Launched
- Negotiated
- Automated
Avoid
- Was responsible for
- Helped with
- Worked on
- Did
- Participated in
- Was involved in
3. Quantify Your Achievements
Numbers make your accomplishments concrete and believable. Whenever possible, include metrics like percentages, dollar amounts, time frames, or scale.
Weak: Improved sales for the company.
Strong: Increased regional sales by 34% over six months through targeted outreach and pipeline optimization.
Weak: Managed a team of developers.
Strong: Led a team of 8 engineers to deliver 12 product releases on schedule with 99.7% uptime.
4. Keep It to One Page (Usually)
For most professionals with less than 10 years of experience, a one-page resume is ideal. Senior executives with extensive experience may use two pages. Be concise and only include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for.
5. Use Bullet Points, Not Paragraphs
Bullet points make your resume easier to scan quickly. Keep each bullet to one or two lines. Start with the most important information and group related responsibilities together.
6. Include Relevant Keywords
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a human sees them. Include keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume. Focus on industry terms, technical skills, and certifications that are mentioned in the posting.
7. Proofread Carefully
A single typo can cost you an interview. Read your resume aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Ask a friend to review it. Use spell check, but do not rely on it completely. Pay special attention to verb tense consistency.
Common mistakes: Using present tense for past jobs, inconsistent date formats, missing contact information, and using generic objective statements. Instead of an objective, use a professional summary that highlights what you offer.
8. Choose the Right Format
There are three common resume formats. Choose based on your situation:
- Reverse Chronological — Best for most job seekers. Lists your most recent experience first. Preferred by recruiters and ATS systems.
- Functional — Focuses on skills rather than work history. Good for career changers or those with employment gaps.
- Combination — Blends chronological and functional formats. Highlights skills while still showing career progression.
9. Make Your Contact Information Clear
Place your name, phone number, email, and location at the top of your resume. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio. Make sure your email address sounds professional.
10. Use a Clean, Professional Design
Avoid overly complex layouts, multiple colors, or decorative fonts. Stick to one or two fonts, use consistent spacing, and keep margins reasonable. Your resume should be easy to read both on screen and in print.
Use ResumeAI to apply professional templates that follow these design principles automatically. You can switch between templates and customize accent colors to match your industry.
Quick Checklist Before You Submit
- Tailored to the specific job?
- Contact information is correct and up to date?
- Action verbs used throughout?
- Achievements quantified where possible?
- No spelling or grammar errors?
- Consistent formatting (dates, fonts, spacing)?
- Keywords from the job description included?
- File saved as PDF with a professional filename?
Ready to build your resume? Start using ResumeAI with our AI-powered builder, or read our ATS Optimization Guide to make sure your resume passes automated screenings.