writing a resume tips

43+ Resume Tips and Tricks to Land Your Next Job in 2024

Haven’t updated your resume in a while?

We feel you!

There’s a lot that goes into crafting a resume, and unless you’re an expert, the whole process can be overwhelming.

Worry not, though. We’re here to help!

In this value-packed guide, we’re going to give you 43+ of the best resume tips & tricks. Follow these tips to the T, and you’re bound to land your next job.

If you have the time, we’d recommend reading the guide end-to-end. We didn’t include anything that’s “Optional.”

If you don't, that’s fine too! We divided the guide into 3 chapters, with the most important ones on top...

• Fundamental Tips - These resume tips are a game-changer. Whether you follow them or not can be the deciding factor in whether you’re getting hired.
• Essential Tips - These resume tips are very important, but not as important as the Fundamentals. 
• Nice-to-Have Tips - These resume tips aren’t that ground-breaking, but they can still have an impact on your job-search.

Let’s get this started.

19+ Fundamental Resume Tips and Tricks

1) use a professional email address.

No one wants to contact that guy with the tacky email from high school (We’re looking at you, [email protected]).

Create a professional email address for anything related to your job-search and career. 

Any combination of [first name] and [last name] will do.

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

If you have a common name and the email is taken, consider using your initials ( e.g. [FirstNameInitial][LastName]@gmail.com ), or even buying your own custom domain name.

2) Double-Check Your Contact Information

Even the most confident writer is not safe from typos.

Make sure that all your contact information on your resume is accurate, both email and phone number.

After all, even if you’re the most qualified person in the world, it’s not going to matter much if the HR manager can’t contact you.

3) Include Phone Number and Country Code

It’s always a good idea to include your phone number in your resume.

Sure, in most cases, the HR manager will reach you on email. But what if the email gets lost, for whatever reason? Or worse - it goes to your spam section.

If you’re applying for a foreign job, you should also include a country code .

For example, if you’re from Denmark and you’re applying to another country, you’d want to include the country code (+45) in front of your number.

4) Mention Achievements Over Job Responsibilities

When listing your work experience , include achievements instead of responsibilities whenever possible.

Chances are, the HR manager already knows what your responsibilities were from your job title. 

Fun fact: your responsibilities are probably literally the same as everyone else's in your profession.

Instead, to stand out, you want to include as many achievements as possible.

Here’s some achievement examples:

• Exceeded sales KPIs by 25% for 3+ months straight.
• Generated over $25,000 in sales in 1 month.

Compared to responsibilities:

• Generated leads through cold calling.
• Carried out sales operations and managed existing clients.

See the difference? The first example shows that you’re a high achiever. The second shows that you’re a sales manager.

In some fields, though, you might not have any real achievements. If you’re a server, for example, you can’t have “served 200+ people really well” as an achievement.

In that case, it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities.

Not sure which achievements to mention? Check out our list of 40+ achievements for every field

5) Stick to Relevant Work Experience

Speaking of work experience, make sure you only include previous positions that are relevant to the job you’re applying for .

Make sure that all work experience entries are…

• Timely - Only mention your last 3-5 positions max. No one cares what job you did 15 years ago.
• Contextual - Applying for the role of a dentist ? You don’t have to mention that one time you worked as a pre-school math teacher.

If you don’t have a lot of experience in the field (or no experience at all), though, you can include whatever you have. It’s better to have some experience rather than none .

6) Focus On Other Sections If You Have No Experience

What if you’re a student who’s never worked a day in their life?

The good news is that you don’t need work experience to have a good resume.

In fact, for entry-level jobs, the hiring manager doesn’t expect you to have any experience.

If you want to stand out with a no-experience resume, you can focus more on other sections, such as:

• Coursework - Want to show the HR manager that you have the right know-how, even though you don’t have experience? Mention any relevant courses you took in university.
• Extracurricular Activities - You’ve probably heard the famous college saying - “extracurricular activities are good for your resume.” Well, here’s some good news. It’s not just a rumour, they actually are! List your extracurricular activities just as you’d list your work experience, and you’re good to go.
• Projects - Done some interesting projects in your free time? Maybe you grew an instagram page to thousands of followers. Or, you worked on a part-time startup in uni? Whichever the case, you can add it to your resume.

Want to learn how to write a convincing student resume? Be sure to check out our no-experience resume guide !

7) Be Super Specific - Add Numbers, Data, and Experiences When Possible

Everything you write in your resume should be very specific .

Back every claim with specific experiences, numbers, or data.

What do we mean by that? Well, compare these 2 examples:

• Results-oriented sales manager with 5+ years of experience in the fin-tech industry. Driven over $500,000 worth of enterprise software sales at Company X. Deep knowledge of multiple CRM tools, including SalesForce, PipeDrive, HubSpot CRM, and more.
• Sales manager looking for the next step in their career. Previous experience involves doing sales for several software companies. Deep knowledge of CRM software.

See the difference between the two examples?

The first is very specific, mentioning numbers, data, experiences, etc.

The second, on the other hand, is very generic. The only thing you learn from it is that the candidate does sales.

8) Gap In Your Resume? Explain What Happened

A gap in your resume can be a huge red flag - but only if you don’t address it.

The hiring manager is going to assume the worst by default. So, it’s a good idea to be direct and insert 2-3 sentences acknowledging the gap and explaining what happened.

To do this, just make a small note under your latest work experience entry:

MadeUpHospital

Jan 2016 - Jun 2017

*Quit due to medical reasons in 2017, looking to rejoin the workforce.

• Responsibility #1
• Responsibility #2
• Responsibility #3

Need more tips & tricks on how to get your career back on track? Check out our complete guide to getting back to work after a long period of unemployment !

9) Mention Promotions and Career Progression

Recently got promoted? Congrats!

Make sure to mention that in your resume. 

Company Name

Latest Position

• Dates Worked
• Promotion Explanation (can be an achievement)
• Achievements/Responsibilities

Older Position

10) Use Active Language

Language matters.

The way you present your achievements can amplify their significance, or downplay their worth.

Compare these 2 examples:

• Spearheaded company X’s content marketing operations.
• Responsible for content marketing at company X.

The first example makes you seem more in-charge, like what you did had a huge impact.

The second, on the other hand, sounds super plan, as if you straight up said “I did content marketing.”

You should use action words to make your achievements sound a LOT more significant. 

Some of our favorite action words include:

• Accelerated
• Accomplished
• Contributed

Not sure which action words you want to use? Check out our complete list of 340+ best action verbs for your resume .

11) Tailor Your Resume to Job Ad

Imagine 2 resumes:

• The first describes THE person you’re looking for. They possess all the relevant skills and experiences, and they’re accurately listed in the resume.
• The second MIGHT be the person you’re looking for, but you’re just not sure. They seem to have some relevant experience, but not others.

Which one would you pick? Exactly!

So, how do you make YOUR resume look like the first example?

By tailoring it to the job ad!

How? Well, let’s look at the following job ad:

We’ve highlighted some of the essential skills in blue above. 

Now, to tailor your resume to these requirements, all you’d have to do is mention in your resume that you:

“Have 5+ years of experience in online marketing.” 

• You can mention this in your resume summary.

“Have experience with social media marketing.” 

• This can go in either the “Skills” or “Work Experience” section

“Have a B.A. in marketing or business.” 

• This, of course, belongs in the education section.

“Have experience in managing $20,000+ monthly ad budget on Facebook.” 

• You can mention this in either Work Experience or Resume Summary

If your resume mentions all the essential job requirements, there’s no reason for the hiring manager NOT to call you back!

12) Create a Convincing Cover Letter

Do you want to get an interview in just about every job you apply to?

Well, that’s going to require a bit more effort than usual: you’re going to have to create a killer cover letter.

For most job-seekers, the cover letter is an after-thought. 

They put 100% of their focus on the resume, and re-use the same cover letter for every position they apply for.

Here’s the thing, though: a cover letter is as important as a resume. In a lot of cases, it can even be the deciding factor on whether you get called in for an interview or not.

So, want to know how to write a good cover letter? Here’s what it should include:

• Your Contact Information.
• Hiring manager’s contact information.
• Opening paragraph - Brief introduction to your career, 1-2 top achievements and intent (why you’re applying for this company or position) 
• The body - Go through your experiences and achievements in more detail. Explain how your background is relevant for the position they’re hiring for.
• Closing paragraph - Summarize your main points, and include a call to action (“if you’re interested, I’d love to chat!”)

There’s a LOT more to creating a good cover letter than what we just covered. Check out our complete guide to cover letters for a more detailed walkthrough on how to make one!

13) Keep Your Resume 1-2 Pages at Most

An ideal resume length is 1 page .

Nope, no excuses. 95%+ of job-seekers don’t need to go past the one-page limit.

After all, HR managers receive over 1,000+ resumes for each open position. They don’t have the time to read your autobiography.

There are some exclusions to the one-page rule, though. You can go up to 2 pages if:

• You’re applying for a job in academia. In which case, it’s OK to go up to even 3 pages.
• If you’re an experienced executive with a decade’s worth of work experience.

Want to learn more? Check out the guide on how long should a resume be ! 

14) Use a Reverse-Chronological Resume Format

Part of creating an effective resume is choosing the right format to tell your story.

If you ask just about any career expert (including us), they’d recommend you to stick with the reverse-chronological format .

That means starting off every resume section with your latest experience, and working your way down to the earliest.

In some rare cases (if you have a career gap, for example), you might want to go for a different resume format, such as the Functional Resume or a Combination Resume. If you want to learn more, check out our guide to resume formats .

15) Include White Space

White space refers to the space in your resume between all the sections and paragraphs of text.

When formatting your resume, you should keep some space in between your sections so that it’s easier for the HR manager to skim your resume.

Here’s some basic layout info you should keep in mind when it comes to white space:

• Margins - aim for 1-inch margin on all four sides of your resume to maximize white space.
• Line spacing - go for 1.0 or 1.15 line spacing between text and double lines after subheadings.
• Bullet points - limit up to 6 points within each section.

Not sure if you’ve got your resume layout right? Check out our guide!

16) Use the Right Resume Font

You want your resume to be easy to read, right?

But at the same time, you also want it to stand out.

That means that you should pick the right font, and the right font size.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Best resume fonts: Ubuntu, Robot, Overpass
• Best resume font size: 11-12pt for normal text, 14-16pt for section titles and headers

Check out our full guide on best resume font, size, and format for more info and practical examples.

17) Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

ATS is an applicant tracking system that many businesses use to screen resumes.

The way this works is, the ATS scans your resume to see if you mention the right keywords, and if you don’t, it automatically discards your application.

So, how do you make sure that a robot doesn’t reject your resume that worked so hard on?

Well, it’s 2 things:

• Pick a Tried-and-Tested Format - Here’s the thing: if the ATS can’t scan your resume, it will automatically discard it. So, you want to use a resume that’s built with ATS in mind. We might be biased, but we’d recommend trying out Novorésumé. We build our resume with with ATS in mind, making it scannable by applicant tracking systems world-wide.
• Sprinkle the Right Keywords - Just as we explained in the “Tailor Your Resume” tip, go through the job ad and figure out what keywords the ATS could be looking for. Then, sprinkle them all around your resume. Head over here if you want to learn more about ATS & keywords .

18) Don’t Lie On Your Resume

This one’s pretty obvious, but we thought we’d mention it anyway:

Don’t lie on your resume. Ever.

You’re going to be found out sooner or later and it’s going to cost you your job, or even your career.

It’s just not worth it.

19) Use an Online Resume Builder

Ever used Word editing tools to build your resume?

Then you probably know what we mean when we say that it’s a total pain.

You spend hours perfecting your resume, and then you make a single, small layout change, and BAM! The whole resume gets messed up.

Want to save yourself from all that hassle?

Use an online resume builder !

All you have to do is pick your favorite resume template , and start filling it in.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, or a professional with a decade of work experience, we have the right format for you!

13+ Essential Resume Tips and Tricks

20) include your job title in resume.

Your professional title should be the job title you’re applying for word-for-word.

Applying for a job as an advertising account executive?

Make sure to include the position name in your resume (below your name) as it’s written in the job ad. 

Ditch the buzzwords - no hiring manager likes those.

• Software Developer
• Code Monkey Ninja Samurai Hero

21) Name Your Resume Correctly

Once you’re done optimizing your resume and you’re ready to send it in, make sure the PDF version has the right name.

The ideal format is FullName - Resume .

• John Doe - Resume.pdf
• John Resume - Final Final Final Version Fixed 

22) Use Correct Subheadings

You’ll want your resume section subheadings to be accurate and easy to find.

So, to help the HR manager reading your resume, try to keep things simple.

• Resume Summary
• Work Experience
• Organizations
• Background Information
• Career History
• Groups Part Of

Bonus Points - this can also help Applicant Tracking Systems read your resume. They recognize “Work Experience,” but not “Work History.”

23) Include Only Relevant Social Media

Wondering if you should include social media links in your resume?

As a rule of thumb, you should only mention the ones that are relevant to your profession and career.

Here’s a brief overview of what you might include:

• LinkedIn - If your LinkedIn is updated, you can mention it for most professions.
• Stack Overflow / GitHub - If you’re a software engineer.
• Medium -Are you a freelance writer or blogger? Include your Medium.
• Quora - Are you an influencer in your field? Mention your Quora account (as long as you have a decent number of answers).
• Website/Blog - Do you have an online presence? Maybe a personal blog that positions you as an expert? If so, make sure to mention it.

24) Include Resume Objective or Summary

The hiring manager looks at your resume for 5-6 seconds max to decide if they’re going to read the rest or not.

Want to catch their attention in a snap?

Use a resume objective or summary.

Both of these sections act as an introduction to your resume, and are used to show that you’re qualified for the job from the get-go (before the HR gets to read the rest of your resume).

So, what’s what?

Both of these sections go in your resume header, right under your contact information section.

A resume objective is mainly for students, or professionals switching their careers. An objective is a 3-4 sentence snapshot of your professional goals and aspirations.

A resume summary is a 3-4 sentence summary of your resume. You use this instead of a resume objective if you’ve previously worked as the position you’re applying for.

• Multilingual customer service representative looking to provide Company X provide stellar customer experience. Strong communication skills, fluent in English, German, and French. Basic knowledge of CRM systems.
• Proactive UX designer with 5 years of experience in delivering enjoyable web and mobile products within the FinTech industry. Designed UI/UX and other marketing materials for 6 apps and 3 games at Company X, 2 of which were features in the App store. Skilled with Sketch and Adobe Creative Studio.

25) Don’t Use Personal Pronouns (“I”, “Me”)

Once you put your name at the top of your resume, it’s already implied that everything you mention in your resume applies to you.

So, there is no need to unnecessarily repeat “I did…” in your resume countless times.

• Managed data entry integrity within the applicant tracking system, ensuring timely entry and visibility of recruitment activity within ATS/CRM technologies.
• I managed data entry integrity within the applicant tracking system. I ensured timely entry, and I worked on the visibility of recruitment activity within the ATS/CRM technologies.

26) Consider Optional Resume Sections

Still have extra space to fill within your resume and want to show off your other important qualifications?

You can include some of the following optional sections to help your resume stand out:

• Hobbies and interests - While this is not a game-changer, they can really help show YOU are as an individual. 
• Volunteering experience - If you try to help others in your free time, while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money. This can be a huge plus for the HR manager.
• Certifications and awards  - Do you have any relevant certifications and awards in your field? As long as it’s relevant, feel free to include it.
• Publications - Are you a freelance writer or a distinguished author? You can include your published works (online, academic journal, etc.) here.
• Projects - Working on a side project can really show off your passion for your field. Hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time.

27) Tailor Your Skills to The Job Position

When scanning your resume, one of the most important things hiring managers look for is whether you have the right skills or not.

They’re not looking for just any skills, either. They’re looking for the skills that are going to help you excel at the job you’re applying for.

So, you need to tailor your skills section for each position you apply for.

You can usually figure out which ones are worth mentioning by scanning the job ad.

As a given, make sure you don’t mention anything that’s not directly related to your job.

For example, no one cares about your Photoshop design skills if you’re applying to work as a cashier.

Not sure which skills you can include? Check out our comprehensive list of 150+ must-have skills for any resume .

28) Cut the Fluff

Fluff is way more common than you’d think.

A lot of university students and fresh graduates often fill up their skills section with buzzwords like:

• Critical thinking
• Communication

But if you take a step back and think about it, those skills don’t mean anything. You know it, we know it, the HR manager knows it.

Without providing an example, they’re just a waste of space.

Just about everyone is good at “ communication ” - it doesn’t mean anything without experience to back it up.

So, go through your resume again, and think about this: does everything I say provide clear value?

If the answer is “No,” we’d recommend cutting it and replacing it with something more interesting.

Don’t have much experience? Struggling to fill in your resume? Check out our guide to making a no-experience resume .

29) Proofread With a Tool Like Grammarly

You can’t afford to have any typos on your resume.

There’s nothing more ironic than someone claiming to have an “eye for detail” with a bunch of spelling mistakes in their resume.

So, to be positive that your resume is typo-free, you can use a tool like Grammarly when you’re going over your final edits.

While Microsoft Word and Google Docs do a decent job of detecting errors, it’s always a good idea to have a backup spelling tool just in case.

30) Be Consistent With Section Formatting

Be consistent with your section formatting so that your overall resume is easy on the eyes.

This includes things like:

• Line spacing.

31) Include Volunteering Experience

You can’t go wrong with volunteering experience.

It’ll make you stand out regardless of your job position or industry. 

If the volunteering experience is somehow related to your career and has some transferable skills, you can even include it in your work experience

Here’s what that might look like:

Volunteer Camp Instructor

FireTech Summer Camps

06/2018 - 09/2018

Courses taught:

• Coding games with Java
• Python and electronics with Minecraft
• Teen coding with Python

32) Include Irrelevant Jobs if You Have No Other Experience

As a general rule, when applying for a job, you only list work experience that’s relevant for the position.

But what if you have none?

In that case, it’s totally OK to mention ANY work experience you might have, even if it’s not relevant for the job you’re applying for.

Look at it this way: the recruiter is more likely to hire someone that's worked A job, rather than a person that's never worked a day in their life.

11+ Nice-to-Have Resume Tips and Tricks

33) include languages and proficiency.

Most companies are international nowadays, and being bilingual is a great way to gain a competitive advantage.

Even if knowing a foreign language isn’t necessary for the job you’re applying for, it might come in handy at some point in the future.

When listing languages, you should always include your skill level:

• Intermediate

Oh, and it goes without saying that you shouldn’t lie about your skill levels.

Trust us, you don’t want to end up in a situation where the interviewer is a native Spanish speaker, and you exaggerated your “Proficient Spanish.”

34) Don’t Include “Reference Available Upon Request”

This is another common mistake many people still make.

Having a whole section dedicated to that one phrase is just a waste of space.

Hiring managers know they can always request your list of references - so what’s the point of mentioning it?

35) Don’t Include a Photo (If You’re From the US and UK)

There’s a lot of confusion around photos on resumes .

Some people always use a photo on their resume.

Others believe it’s a strict no-no.

So, which one is it?

It depends on your location.

There are strict anti-discrimination labor laws in some countries, namely:

• United Kingdom
• United States

If you’re from one of those countries, don’t include a photo on your resume.

Obviously, there are some exceptions to the rule - such as, if you’re applying for a modelling job.

If you’re from anywhere else in the world, though, you can include a photo. 

36) Feeling Stumped? Get Inspired by Resume Examples

Have doubts about your resume design or layout?

Check out some of our job-winning resume examples .

We made sure to cover samples for several different fields, including business, computer science, and more!

37) Read Your Resume Out Loud

While it may sound awkward, reading your resume out loud is the best way to spot any awkward phrases or spelling mistakes.

Sure, Grammarly is useful, but it often misses a lot of really obvious mistakes (which the HR manager probably won’t!).

This is going to be monotonous, yes. But it’s the best way to proofread your resume and it also beats any spell checking tools out there.

38) Clean Up Your Online Presence

Imagine this:

The recruiter LOVES your resume.

They’re about to call you in for an interview, but before that, they decide to check up on your online presence.

Big mistake.

The first thing that pops up when they Google your name is your Facebook page, with very embarrassing photos from your last night out.

Not really that appropriate for a Senior Banker.

Want to avoid such awkward situations? Make sure your online presence is working FOR you, not against you:

• Change your Facebook Privacy setting to “Friends” to make sure random people can’t see your profile.
• Clean up your Twitter account, make sure you’re not posting anything too scandalous.
• Google your name and see if you can find anything off. You can ask Google to remove any private sensitive information .

Do you have a LinkedIn profile? You should! It shows the recruiter that you’re serious about your career.

Make sure to optimize your LinkedIn profile so that it complements your resume!

39) Consider Putting Education First

The most important sections of your resume should come first.

Are you a student with very limited work experience?

Consider putting your education section on top of your work experience.

This places a lot more focus on your education career, as opposed to any irrelevant jobs you might have worked.

Of course, if you have worked a job in your field, you’d always want to put work experience on top.

40) Add Your Courses In the Education Section

If your education section is your biggest selling point, then you might want to also add any relevant courses you’ve taken.

As usual, relevance is key here. Applying for a job in finance? The recruiter doesn’t care about the social media course you took in your freshman year.

B.A. in Accounting and Finance

• Advanced financial statistics
• Econometrics II
• Advanced accounting II
• Media communication
• Digital and social media
• Communication research

41) Use DocSend to Track Your Resume

Ever wondered what happens after you send in your application?

Did the HR even read your resume, or did it fall through the cracks?

Well, with a tool like DocSend , you can know for sure whether someone look at your resume or not.

The way this works is, you upload your resume on DocSend, and it gives you a link you can use.

Whenever someone opens your link and looks at your resume, you’ll get a notification.

Cool, right?

This way, you can know for sure if you can expect a call for an interview (the HR looked at your resume for 60+ seconds), or you’re just not qualified (HR closed the resume within 5 seconds of opening it).

And to put the cherry on top, you’ll know if the HR manager missed your resume (you won’t get the notification within a week), so you can just send them a quick reminder!

• Unfortunately, this method only works if you’re applying for a job through e-mail and not through an online application.

42) Use Colors to Stand Out

The color scheme you use in your resume is an important part of its design.

Ideally, you should strike the right balance of creativity and professionalism.

If you’re applying for a job in a more conservative industry (e.g. finances, banking), a standard black and white theme is fine.

But if you’re applying to work in a creative startup as a web designer or a developer, you can get more creative.

After all, HR managers get a TON of resumes every day, and most of them look exactly the same.

Whenever you can afford to stand out with your resume, you should!

43) Consider Using a Professional Template

If you’re looking to create a new resume but don’t want to go through the painstaking process of creating one from scratch - consider using a professional template.

There’s a lot of pre-built online resume templates that can have you up and running with a fully customized resume in a matter of minutes.

There’s a lot of variety as well. You can pick a design that works perfectly for your industry or field.

Want to give it a try? Check out some of our top resume templates !

Key Takeaways

And that's a wrap!

There are a ton of resume tips & tricks on the web, and in this guide, we covered all the essential stuff.

So, we hope you enjoyed the guide and are a lot more confident with your resume skills!

Looking for more actionable advice? Check out our career blog for industry-leading career tips and tricks!

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20 Basic Resume Writing Rules That'll Put You Ahead of the Competition

If you’re thinking about taking a new step in your career, your resume’s probably high on your mind. When’s the last time you updated it? How will you transfer the skills from your current job or industry to a new one? How will you set yourself apart from other candidates? How long and horrible will this revision process actually be?

Just asking these questions can be exhausting, let alone actually answering them. And, if you’re not fresh off the job search, the thought of thinking everything through and creating an interview-worthy resume can be exhausted.

Fear not! We’ve come up with the 20 basic rules that will get you that much closer to success.

1. Keep it to One Page

This is a biggie! If a hiring manager’s spending six seconds looking at your resume, he or she might not even get to the second page! Unless you’re applying to be an executive or a partner somewhere, one page will be sufficient and is a widely accepted “best practice.” To cut it down, remember the purpose of it—it’s not to showcase everything you’ve ever done, but rather to show that you have the background, skills, and experience for the job at hand.

2. Avoid Spelling or Grammar Errors

Another biggie. There are some recruiters who will discount your resume the second they see a spelling or grammar error. Although it can be painful, make sure you don’t just read over your resume several times, but also that you have a friend take a peek, too.

3. Watch Your Tenses

This is another common error that can really hurt you in the eyes of hiring managers. As a general rule, if something on your resume is in the past, use the past tense (managed, delivered, organized) and if you are still actively in the role, use the present tense (manage, deliver, organize).

4. Avoid the First Person Pronouns

As a general practice, don’t use words like “I” or “me” or “my.” So, instead of saying “I hit and exceeded company sales quotas 100% of the time” say “Hit and exceeded sales quotas 100% of the time.”

5. Send Your Resume as a PDF

Saving your resume as a PDF (rather than a Word and document) freezes it as an image so that you can be sure hiring managers see the same formatting as you. If you send it any other way, there’s a chance that the styling, format, font, and so on, could look different on their computer than yours.

6. Label Your Resume File Correctly

Too many people save this important document with random or generic file names like sgks123.pdf or resume.pdf. Remember that recruiters can see the name of the file that you send them and also remember that they get tons of resumes every day. Make it super clear whose resume they should click on by saving it under a logical name like FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf.

7. Format in a Logical Structure

Even more important than naming the file in a logical manner is laying out your resume in a logical manner. How you lay it out really depends on where you are in your career path and what you’re looking to do next. While chronological the default, it’s not always the best way to make your case. Muse writer Lily Zhang lays out the other options that might work better for you.

8. Make Sure It’s Easy to Read

You might be tempted to just shrink the text to get your resume to fit on a page. (Which is funny, because remember all those times in school when you made it 12.5 to make it longer? Life!) While you can adjust the size to some degree, never go below 10-point font.

9. Keep it Organized and Visually Appealing

Remember how hiring managers usually spend just six seconds looking at your resume? Help them maximize that time by making your resume super clear and easy-to-read. You want each section bolded (maybe capitalized) and each job title bolded. Make your life easier by using a template .

10. Keep it Consistent

Just like you want your verb tenses to be consistent throughout, it’s also important that the formatting is, too. If one title’s bold, the other titles should be bold. If one bullet point has a period at the end, the other bullet points should have that as well.

11. Include Context

When you list out your experience, be sure to include context. What city, state (or country) did this job take place in. Did you travel and operate in multiple cities? What dates did you have that experience? Was it for five months or five years? Context matters!

12. Quantify as Much as Possible

Anyone can say that he or she excelled at his or her last job. So, you need to prove to the hiring manager that you truly did. Numbers, percentages, and supporting facts go a long way in showing that you have a track record of success. For example, rather than saying “successfully hit sales quotas” as a bullet point in your resume you should say “successfully hit sales quotas 100% of the time and exceeded goals by 25% in the last 5 months.” You can even do this if your position doesn’t involve using numbers.

13. Name Drop (and Title Drop) Like You’ve Never Done Before

This is your chance to brag. If you got a promotion or a raise because of your performance, you should mention it. If you worked with the CEO of the company or were a point of contact for a large, corporate customer, mention their names! This goes a long way in showing that you can run with important people. It shows that you’re confident. It shows that you’re capable. (Of course, make sure you’re presenting the facts accurately and not exaggerating.)

14. Don’t Include References

Don’t use any of your precious space to include the names and contact info for your references (or to write things like “references available upon request”). This document’s for recruiters to decide if they want to talk to you, not your references. If they get to the point in the application process where they want to speak to these people, they will reach out to you and ask for those names. Until then, no need to mention.

15. Use Your Judgement When it Comes to Creativity

Some industries are more creative than others. If you’re working in digital media or design or elementary school education, it might make sense for your resume to be creative and colored. If you’re applying for a job in finance, operations, or most corporate jobs, you probably want to keep it black and white and structured. Be thoughtful when it comes to your creativity (or lack thereof).

16. Don’t List Everything You’ve Ever Done

There should be a purpose for every word. When you’re writing and editing, ask yourself this question, “Will this sentence help me get the job I want?” If not, you should consider editing that sentence or removing it.

17. Think About the Person Reading Your Resume

It’s important to remember that there’s a real person reading this. And it’s also important to remember that it’s her job to find awesome candidates to interview and present to her boss or team. It’s also not her job to do you any favors. So you should think about her when you’re writing your resume. How can you make her job easier? How can you write your resume in such a way that she gets excited when she sees it, thinks you’re perfect for the job, and is willing to put herself out there by presenting you to her team.

18. Think About What Makes You Different

It’s important that you be yourself during the application process (obviously putting your best foot forward). This includes what you write on your application materials. Don’t hesitate to show who you really are, your likes and interests, your personality, what makes you unique, and so on. While this definitely requires some judgment calls (for example, expressing personality when applying for a traditional role in a traditional industry might not be the best move) it could ultimately be the thing that sets you apart and gets you hired.

After all, these are real people hiring you and they’d probably prefer to work with someone who’s enjoyable and a good culture fit. And if your personality isn’t a fit for the job, you probably wouldn’t have been happy there any way so it works out for everyone.

19. Think About the Specific Job You’re Applying To

One of my favorite tricks to help communicate that you are the perfect person for a job is to read the job description and list out key phrases. Then, when you’re writing or editing your resume, find ways to incorporate those words and phrases from the desired job description into your resume. This can be super useful when a machine or human recruiter skims it.

20. Think of This as a Storytelling Document

Many of the tips that I’ve mentioned all point to the general idea that your resume should clearly and concisely tell the story of “you”—helping hiring managers understand why you’re the right person for the job. This is, in fact, the entire purpose. Ultimately, when you re-read and edit it, make sure that it tells the story of your background, the skills you gained along the way, the experiences that you’ve had, and makes it crystal clear why you’ve ended up where you are today and why the role that they are hiring for is the perfect next step for you.

Yes, this is a lot. The good news is that you’re not alone in the process. The job search is hard, so make sure you’re reaching out to friends and family for support (or, even just for distractions). And, if you think you might want a more professional second set of eyes on your materials, Muse Coach Connect can set you up with an expert who offers resume writing services . Just remember, that when you’re feeling overwhelmed—and 20 rules can do that to you—that following these guidelines gives you a huge head start among all the other applicants.

20 Best Resume Writing Tips and Tricks 2024 (with Free Checklist)

Knowing the best ways to write a resume with efficiency and legibility goes a long way. These simple tips and tricks can be the driving factor towards successfully landing a job interview.

Competition in the job market is tougher than ever.

Having the proper skills and know-how for crafting the ideal resume will give you a leg up on the competition.

In this article, we’ve listed 20 resume tips with helpful insights, tricks, and advice for putting together an effective resume that stands out to employers.

Here they are at a glance.

• Keep your resume specific
• Use bullet points
• Have a professional email address
• Include both hard and soft skills
• Tailor your resume to the job description
• Choose a simple and readable font
• Make sure it's always relevant
• Include achievements when appropriate
• Use an active voice
• Use a two-column layout
• Provide quantifiable descriptions
• Always tailor your resume to the job
• Double-check contact information
• Make sure you’re using the right resume format
• Know when to provide references
• Use strong action verbs
• Showcase your job promotions
• List relevant education and certifications
• Create your resume with a template
• Review professional resume examples

Keep reading to see recommended examples and usage for each one of these resume tips.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Free resume writing checklist

Writing a resume has a lot of different elements that you always need to keep in mind.

However, it might be hard to keep track of it all.

That's why we made this handy checklist that will help you write a more perfect resume .

Feel free to download the resume checklist by right-clicking on the image and clicking Save.

Now you can always have this to refer back to — but let's keep reading to see how start incorporating some of these resume tips.

1. Keep your resume specific

Flowy and intricate writing has a proper time and place…and on your resume is not it. Save it for your memoirs.

When writing out the sections and headings on your resume, it's crucial to keep your wording simple and concise.

Most hiring managers won't read through every single resume they receive. That means, you'll want to keep your resume pretty concise, which makes it easier for recruiters to skim through and find the most important details quickly. 

While you don’t want the language you choose to make your resume sound too boring, the key is to stick to simple sentences with clear explanations. 

For example, when writing job descriptions, be as specific as possible without writing complex sentences. 

☹️ Incorrect: 

• In this position I was responsible for a multitude of important tasks, from training new staff and completing onboarding paperwork to assisting with administrative work and bookkeeping.

The issue with this description is that the sentence is too long and complex, plus it covers too many responsibilities.

To correct this, focus in one particular action or achievement and include the additional achievements in later sentences or bullet points. 

☺️ Correct:

• Trained and on-boarded over 30+ employees on company policy and conduct-code. • Assisted with handling administrative work and bookkeeping every quarter.

See? That's much easier to parse now.

2. Use bullet points

Bullet points go hand-in-hand with being specific.

Plus, they give your resume a clean and organized appearance that is much easier to read through quickly.

Remember, the goal is to get the recruiters attention.

You want to make it easy as possible for someone to read your resume.

Using bullet points is mostly recommended when listing out your work experience history.

To do that, summarize your main responsibilities and achievements at the job in a bulleted list. 

For example, rather than writing a job description as one long paragraph, break it up into specific bullet points that focus on your biggest or most relevant accomplishments.

Shift Lead, Mellow Mushroom January 01, 2018 – June 30, 2020 As the shift lead at this restaurant, I was responsible for opening and closing the restaurant, end-of-the-night bookkeeping, and customer complaint resolutions. 

Shift Lead, Mellow Mushroom January 01, 2018 – June 30, 2020 • Led the opening and closing crews through essential morning and nighttime tasks • Completed end-of-shift bookkeeping and created daily sales reports • Resolved customer complaints with efficiency and professionalism 

Notice how this is much easier to read.

3. Have a professional email address

All of us at one time or another have had a funky email address with some random combination of words, nicknames, and numbers.

But we're no longer teenagers. It's time for a more professional approach.

If your email falls into the category of silliness, it could be off-putting to potential employers.

When including contact information on your resume, ditch the childhood or university email address in exchange for a more professional one.

We'd also recommend using Gmail if you can. It's the most widely used email address .

How to create a professional email address?

When creating a professional email address, generally you will want to avoid numbers. This makes it harder to distinguish and remember.

Instead, try including your name if possible (or initials). Another option is to include keywords having to do with your work, which is great if your name is unavailable.

For instance, let’s say a man named Patrick Smith is applying for a writing position. Here are examples of good and bad email addresses he could use on his resume:

☹️ Incorrect (feels too playful):

[email protected] 

☹️ Also incorrect (not personalized):

[email protected] 

☺️ Correct (using a name):

[email protected]

☺️ Also correct (incorporating a job function):

[email protected] 

The correct examples present you with much more maturity and professionalism.

See the following resume example of a 3D animator , notice how simple and professional the email looks:

‍ 4. Include both hard and soft skills

For those unfamiliar, hard skills are skills that are teachable and quantifiable, while soft skills have more to do with personality traits and people skills. 

It is important to show both hard and soft skills on a resume . Keep in mind that because hard skills are easily quantifiable, they can be written plainly.

Comparatively for soft skills, such as communication, will need to be shown through other means, such as highlighting changes to a teamwork dynamic you initiated. 

Examples of Hard Skills:

• Computer Programming
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• Google Suite
• Math Skills
• Copywriting
• CRM Software
• Lead Generation

Examples of Soft Skills:

• Communication
• Time Management
• Detail-Oriented
• Presentation Skills
• Network Skills
• Organization
• Decision-Making
• Adaptability

If you need more help in this section, we've listed over 100+ skills for you to choose from.

5. Tailor your resume to the job description

Job descriptions actually contain a good amount of information that can be useful to you when crafting your resume.

Within a job description will be keywords that reflect the company’s values and the characteristics they are looking for in a candidate. 

Locating those keywords and finding ways to repeat them in your resume is a good way to show hiring managers that you are attentive to detail and took note of what they were specifically looking for.

This also greatly increases your chances of passing an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) screening.

Quick Tip: When searching for keywords within job descriptions, a good place to start looking is in the section that details what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate.  For instance, if a job description states they are looking for a “natural leader,” proof of your leadership skills and experience would be smart to include.

Curious for more insights on this topic? Take a look at our article on how to tailor your resume to job descriptions .

6. Choose a simple and readable font

Nowadays, there are so many fonts to choose. It's almost too easy (and risky!) for candidates to go a little wild with their font selections.

However, choosing an inappropriate font can actually kill your chances of receiving a callback or invite to an interview. Not fun anymore is it?

The font you use on your resume should be simple and easy to read. Avoid using any intricate embellishments or unusual design elements.

Additionally, the font you select should be kept consistent throughout so don't use a variety of fonts for a single resume. 

The exception to the rule is your resume heading. You can try using a louder heading font to draw attention to your name and summary.

5 good fonts to use on a resume:

• Times New Roman

Types of fonts to avoid on a resume:

• Cursive fonts
• Large, chunky texts that fill up a lot of space
• Fonts with symbols or images

We wrote up a well-detailed guide on choosing readable fonts that you can read here .

7. Make sure it's always relevant

Whether you’re writing about your work experience, education, or any other section, you have to prioritize relevancy . 

For instance, if you are applying for a job as a paramedic , you would want to place greater emphasis on relevant experiences such as prior jobs as a "first responder" or other medically-related positions.

However, don't try to list your work experience out of chronological order too drastically — it can risk making your resume too long. See our guide on how long your resume length should be , but in summary, try to keep it to a single page with only relevant information.

How can we make your resume more relevant?

Let's say you were applying to an HR Manager job that lists in the description that it is " looking for someone with administrative and computer skills ".

You have two prior job experiences that you held simultaneously – 1)  office manager and 2) server .

You wouldn't want to write a summary about your serving experience.

Those skills are not really transferable nor directly relevant to the job being applied to.

Instead, focusing your resume summary and skills as an office manager is much more effective, since those skills are more relevant to the position. 

However, if you have other experiences that are somewhat more relevant, then it would be best to list those instead and leave your server position out entirely.

8. Include achievements when appropriate 

When submitting a resume to a hiring manager, remember that they'll potentially be receiving hundreds of resumes that may all look and sound similar. 

How are you going to stand out from the crowd?

One effective way is to show achievements in your work history.

Including achievements or accomplishments on your resume is a great way to show not only that you have relevant work experience, but that you also have the talent and potential for growth in that specific field. 

Quick tip: When including achievements on your resume, try to first include them under the specific job descriptions within your work experience before making a dedicated accomplishments section. This will make your work experience section more compelling and attention-grabbing. 

To learn more about how to show accomplishments on your resume, check out our guide on listing achievements.

9. Use an active voice

An "active voice" and "passive voice" are the two main types of perspectives you can write in that affect the tone of your work.

When you write a resume, you should use the active voice. It's more commanding and ultimately ends up helping you focus on your talents and accomplishments.

Here is an example of the same statement on a resume written in passive voice vs. active voice:

• Passive Voice: The company’s revenue grew by 40 percent over time through my efforts.
• Active Active: Increased company revenue by 40 percent.

You can pair your active voice with strong action verbs to make for a more impactful statement.

10. Use a two-column layout

Making your resume eye-catching is crucial.

But not only should it be attention-grabbing, it should also contain elements that make it appear more visually organized and easy to read through quickly.

A hiring manager should be able to effortlessly find the information they are looking for without spending too much time on it.

Two column-layouts are great for this because you get to see more at a glance.

Take a look at this two-column resume example for a security guard , you're able to see work experience, resume summary, skill, education and hobbies effectively at a glance.

‍ 11. Provide quantifiable descriptions

When listing out objectives that you accomplished in previous jobs, being specific is highly important as mentioned earlier.

Most hiring managers don’t want to be told what you are capable of doing. They want to be shown examples of that through numbers or statistics. 

Whenever possible, use exact numbers (25,00,000), percents (24%), monetary values ($5,214) and other quantities to describe your achievements within a previous job. 

How can you quantify your experience?

First, you'll want to know how much you've helped improve certain initiatives. But, what are some ways you can find that out?

Let's say you helped to reduce operational costs at a company.

You can ask questions like:

• How much we did we decrease _______ from [x%]?
• How much we did we increase _______ from [x%]?
• How much time we did we save doing ______?
• How much money did we spend acquiring ______?

Once you find that out, here's what it looks like when actually quantifying those operational reductions:

‍ Decreased operational costs while serving in this position.

☺️ Correct: ‍

Decreased operational costs by 15 percent by adopting and implementing a new point-of-sales system.

That feels a lot better.

We wrote up a guide on listing your work experience to write the most effective job descriptions .

12. Always tailor your resume to the job

Like we mentioned above, a hiring manager is going to to be looking through A LOT of resumes.

This might mean they'll see many of the same, cookie-cutter formatted documents that contain basically the same information.

You can stand out by taking the extra time to edit your resume to be tailored specifically for the job your are applying to.

You can do this by using similar keywords from the job descriptions on your resume.

Hiring managers are likely to take notice of this since it'll feel way more relevant to the role.

Need to know more about how to tailor a resume for a specific job? See our 4-step guide on tailoring your resume to any job.

13. Double-check contact information

There’s nothing that will ruin your chances of landing a job or interview more than providing incorrect contact information. Like an e-mail address typo or incorrect phone-number.

Proof-reading your resume is a crucial step that can be easy to skip. But it might save the day if there's any critical errors on your resume.

Quick Tip: After double-checking your personal contact information, it's also a good idea to check the rest of your resume for any grammatical errors. Online tools like Grammarly can be very helpful for finding and correcting mistakes you may have missed!

14. Make sure you’re using the right resume format

Most job applicants use the standard resume format, also known as reverse-chronological format.

‍ It's the most common and often what recruiters expect to see.

However, there are actually additional formats that serve different purposes.

For instance, a standard resume may not be best suited for someone with large employment gaps, making a different format more preferable.

Knowing what formatting options you have is key to ensuring you are using the right one for your own needs.

Overall, are the 3 main resume formats:

1) Reverse-Chronological

This usually the most standard resume format, as it focuses primarily on your work experience. Jobs should be listed with the most recent companies first followed chronologically by other relevant past work experiences.

2) Functional

A functional resume is focused on skills rather than experience. It is a great format for people who are recently graduated with minimal work experience or for those who have large gaps in their employment history.

3) Hybrid (Combination)

For job applicants who may have some work experience but not enough to fill an entire resume, the hybrid format combines elements of both the reverse-chronological and the functional resumes for this very purpose.

There is also a fourth resume format – the Curriculum Vitae, or CV. This is specifically intended as a long-form resume for use by professionals in the fields of academia and science.

Not sure if you’re using the right resume format? Take a look at our guide on choosing the best resume format.

15. Know when to provide references

The general rule-of-thumb is to not provide references unless specially asked to do so .

Most companies have their own hiring methods, but typically reference stages come much later in the process, and way after your resume is reviewed.

So including references ultimately ends up wasting space on your resume that could've been better used for showcasing accomplishments or skills instead.

Quick Tip: If an employer does request references, be sure to know how to format them properly. We recommend creating an entirely separate page dedicated to your references to conserve space on the first page.

16. Use strong action verbs

One of the best ways to ensure you are using an active voice, as mentioned above , in your job descriptions is to utilize action verbs at the start of your sentences. 

Action verbs are also known as dynamic verbs and are used to describe physical or mental actions.

For resume purposes, this can include words like “increased”, “coordinated”, “implemented,” or an array of other verbs that describe an achievement or activity.

For example, let’s say you increased your department’s sales by 25 percent .

You would want to start that description with an action verb in order to place the emphasis on what you specifically accomplished. 

• My department’s sales were increased by 25 percent thanks to my help.

• Increased departmental sales by a 25 percent margin.

Check out our list of 350 action verbs for your resume to brainstorm more action verbs for your own resume. 

‍ 17. Showcase your job promotions

If you worked for a business or company for a long period of time and earned promotions over the course of your employment, this is essential information to provide in a resume. 

Showcasing promotions on your resume lets hiring managers know that you have a strong work ethic and ability for growth that has been previously recognized by former employers. 

When showing promotions on a resume, you should include them within your work experience section.

There are two main ways to list a promotion on a resume:

1) Stacking job promotions

‍ If you held multiple positions in the same company, but the highest position is the most relevant and important, you can stack the different positions within the same job description and describe only the highest and most recent position.

Art Director, Tiny Bee Agency New York, NY • March 2015 – Present ‍ • Promoted to current position of Art Director in 2017.

Art Director, Tiny Bee Agency • June 2017 – Present • New York, NY Associate Art Director , Tiny Bee Agency • March 2015 – 2017 • New York, NY

2) Separate Entries

If you held multiple positions that involved different responsibilities and demonstrate multiple talents, it can be beneficial to separate these positions into individual entries. 

Art Director and Marketing Manager, Tiny Bee Agency New York, NY• March 2015 – Present

Art Director, Tiny Bee Agency New York, NY • June 2017 – Present • Description • Description • Description ‍ Marketing Manager , Tiny Bee Agency New York, NY • March 2015 – 2017 • Description • Description • Description

18. List relevant education and certifications

Education and certifications shows hiring managers your academic credentials that you earned through degree programs, trade school, or other types of training. 

Your resume should always have a short and concise education section that summarizes your academic background and degrees.

Here's the information you should include within the education section of your resume :

• The name of the school — "e.g. Georgia Institute of Technology"
• The location of the school
• Your degree ( high-school diploma, GED, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, etc. )
• Graduation year ( if applicable )
• Major field or department of study (if applicable )
• Minor field or department of study (if applicable and relevant )
• GPA ( If you're a student or graduates who held lower GPAs, this bit of information may be good to omit unless specifically requested by the employer )

As for certifications, these should only be included if they are relevant to the job.

Depending on how many relevant certifications you have, you can choose whether or not you have enough for their own dedicated section on your resume. See our guide on listing certifications correctly on your resume .

19. Create your resume with a template

If you're new to creating resumes or not quite sure how to structure your existing resume to be more effective, using an online template is a great way to ensure your resume looks good and contains all the required details.

Check out our own resume templates available for editing and download here on Easy Resume.

You can choose from the following types of templates that we have available:

• CV Templates
• Downloadable Resume Templates
• Printable Resume Templates
• PDF Resume Templates
• ATS-Friendly Resume Templates
• One-Column Resume Templates
• Two-Column Resume Templates
• Fresher Resume Templates
• Executive Resume Templates
• Academic Resume Templates
• Clean Resume Templates
• Basic Resume Templates
• Photo Resume Templates
• Unique Resume Templates
• Traditional Resume Templates
• Elegant Resume Templates
• Reverse Chronological Resume Templates
• Combination Resume Templates
• Functional Resume Templates
• One Page Resume Templates
• Minimalist Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Modern Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• Professional Resume Templates

20. Review professional resume examples

Resumes will differ depending on what field or industry the job being applied to resides in. Taking the time to review examples of resumes made by professionals within your own industry or niche is essential for figuring out how to tailor your resume and make it stand out to the hiring manager. 

Here at Easy Resume, we offer a variety of free resume samples to look through.

From 3D animators and accountants to civil engineers and content writers – we’ve got you covered.

Take a look at a few of our resume examples:

• Chef Resume Example
• Barista Resume Example
• Graphic Designer Resume Example
• Mechanical Engineer Resume Example
• Medical Assistant Resume Example
• Account Manager Resume Example
• Software Engineer Resume Example
• IT Specialist Resume Example
• Elementary School Teacher Resume Example
• Marketing Manager Resume Example
• Physician Assistant Resume Example
• Clinic Coordinator Resume Example
• Office Manager Resume Example
• Financial Advisor Resume Example
• Event Planner Resume Example

Final takeaways 

Your resume can be your golden ticket that gets your foot in the door at the job of your dreams. Using the tips discussed here will greatly help you in optimizing your document to be noticed by more hiring managers and land you a spot in the crucial interview process.

Our main takeaways for you are as follows:

• Always be mindful of the relevancy of the information you are sharing.
• Use conciseness and structural elements, such as bullet points and headings, to give your resume visual organization and an easy-to-read flow.
• Always double-check your resume to confirm you have provided the right information.
• Active voice and action verbs will make your resume read with more confidence

Get to writing your perfect resume today, and don’t be shy of checking out our free resources for a bit of help along the way!

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.

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The 20 Best Resume Tips, Tricks and Hacks [Updated for 2024] [List with examples]

Over the past week, we reached out to a number of hiring managers, recruiters and career coaches to find out exactly what they're looking for when they skim through your resume. After reading this article, you'll know exactly what your future employers are looking for when they read your resume.

4 years ago   •   12 min read

A recent study by Glassdoor indicated that 98 percent of applicants are rejected based on their resumes alone.

That's ridiculous. And quite frankly, unfair . How can a company evaluate all of your skills, achievements and experiences from one piece of paper?

That's why we wrote this article.

Over the past week, we reached out to a number of hiring managers, recruiters and career coaches to find out exactly what they're looking for when they skim through your resume. After reading this article, you'll know exactly what your future employers are looking for when they read your resume.

At Resume Worded, we believe that content is the most important element of your resume, so that’s the focus of these resume tips and tricks. If you're looking for a resume template that is ATS-compatible — in other words, readable by automated computer screeners — see our ATS resume templates .

If you want to confirm that your resume passes the ATS resume test, upload it to our resume scanner for a free ATS resume scan.

Resume Tip #1: Use short, succinct bullet points. Not paragraphs.

If a recruiter was to pick up your resume right now, how easy would it be for him/her to skim it in 30 seconds and get a sense of your experiences and accomplishments? This is what we call the '30 second skim', and your resume needs to be optimized for it. Short, succinct bullet points are key to your resume's readability. Blobs of text, that is bullets or paragraphs that are three lines or longer, are likely to not be read.

If you’re not sure if your resume’s content is the right length, upload it to the tool below — it’ll give you feedback on your resume length, and other key criteria recruiters and hiring managers care about.

Resume Tip #2: Ditch the objective section from your resume

All recruiters agree that an Objective is superfluous on a resume. The company already knows what you’re looking for because you applied for a specific position. Having an objective section may even exclude you from other similar positions that might be interesting to you.

Resume Tip #3: Only add a Summary section if you need one!

With a few exceptions, a Summary section generally does little for your resume apart from duplicating your achievements and wasting space.

Your resume is already meant to be a concise summary of your achievements.

There's no need to re-summarize it in a paragraph form. The only exception to this rule is if you need to add important information that is not already in another section on your resume. This is key — don't duplicate achievements on the rest of your resume into your summary!

For example, if you're looking to completely change your career & role (e.g. moving from software engineering to marketing), you could use 1-2 lines to direct a recruiter to the specific roles you are looking for. If you do decide to include a summary, ensure that it is not filled with fluffy, subjective buzzwords like "team player" or "hard worker".

If you decide you need a resume summary, check out the Resume Summary Generator for inspiration. If you are changing careers, read our guide on how to write a resume summary for career changers .

Resume Tip #4: Order your resume's sections based on job requirements

Recruiters skim your resume from top to bottom, so be smart about how you position your sections.

"You need to ask, is there anything that may automatically disqualify me from contention and either don’t include it or move it.

For example, if a specific degree is required, and you have another degree, or no degree move the Education section to the bottom of your resume."

This tip is from Dory Wilson, from Your Office Mom.

Related : Resume 101: The Correct Order for Resume Sections

Resume Tip #5: Tailor your resume to include relevant achievements

James Rice, from WikiJob, tells Resume Worded: "Never send in a generic resume for a job. Even if you are applying for multiple jobs in quick succession, it is well worth the time it takes to tailor your resume to each and every position you are applying for.

Don’t just include everything you have ever done; make sure all the space on your resume is spent telling the recruiter why you are perfect for that particular job. If you have education or skills that are not relevant to the position, then think about leaving them out or explain succinctly why they show relevant transferable skills."

Related : Top 12 Resume Boosters To Quickly Improve Your Resume

Resume Tip #6. Add keywords from the job description into your resume

When writing a resume that is being initially reviewed by an automated screening process, the absolutely most critical step you can take to make sure that you make it through the initial phase is to add keywords that are in the job description to your resume.

Why? The vast majority of these screening processes are not sophisticated and simply check your resume for keywords that are relevant to the job. If they’re found in sufficient quantity, your resume will be passed onto a human for further review. If not, you will be instantly rejected, regardless of whether you are qualified for the position. Thought this may seem like a sneaky move, I can assure you it will cause your success rate to skyrocket.

This tip is from Rich Franklin, Founder of KBC Staffing

You can evaluate whether your resume is well targeted to the job you're applying for by trying out Targeted Resume. It is an ATS resume keyword scanner that tests if your resume is well targeted to the job description.

You can also use the skills search tool below to get a list of skills and keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Resume Tip #7:  Achievement-oriented, not responsibility oriented

"Your resume should be achievement-based. Simply regurgitating your job description into multiple bullets is no longer effective. This strategy does nothing to show if you've even done your job well. It also doesn't provide employers with much context to how you can help them. I always recommend that my clients research pain points and appeal directly to those needs with relevant achievements. For example: A company may be looking for an administrative assistant with Instagram experience. Who would you be more likely to ask for an interview between these two?

Option 1: Run departmental social media pages.

Option 2: Increased Instagram following by 58% by developing engaging content, attending Instagram for Business online course, and staying up to date on emerging marketing trends."

This tip is from Brett Ellis, who runs Brett Ellis Career Marketing Services

Resume Tip #8: Quantify your resume!

"Rather than wording your resume to read like a job description (current or prior positions) use it as a guide to identify what’s most important relative to the role you are seeking. On those points, add keywords and details that reflect your success. All the performance metrics and KPIs are at play here.

If you had a hand in reducing, increasing, changing anything in your job, mention it. Don’t wait until the 5th bullet point to note you were instrumental in modifying a process that saved the company $50K, or you are 250% over quota.

Whatever it is, mention it to substantiate how you impact the bottom line. And, don’t be shy. If you were on a team that supported these efforts, you still had a hand in it. Too many people say, “well, I didn’t do it all by myself,” and don’t mention it, rather than stating they were part of a team that did. If you don’t know where to start, review your bullet points and ask the question “why is this important?” or “okay, so what?” to help you. Whether it’s your performance reviews or other documentation, review it to support your statements.

For more information on quantifying your resume, check out our blog post on how to use numbers and metrics to write effective resume bullet points .

Resume Tip #9: Use an easy to understand job title

"One of the first things I look at as a recruiter, is a candidates current job title. I then look at company, tenure and previous job titles. Education comes second."

"It is common to have inventive job titles, which make it unclear what someone is actually responsible for. Equally it is common to see someone’s title as their level, e.g. Vice President or Director. This doesn’t make what you do immediately apparent. It is important to be truthful, so don’t make up a title. However, if your job is a waitress , call yourself a waitress and not a customer satisfaction representative or a customer service specialist."

"Your resume is likely to get less than 30 seconds of attention and you probably have 5 seconds to make an impact. You need to make this really easy for someone. You do that by making it clear that you are relevant to the job you are applying to."

This tip is from Karla Reffold from BeecherMadden.

Resume Tip #10: Make sure your resume is readable by Applicant Tracking Systems

Companies get hundreds of applicants for each job. It's pretty unfeasible to expect a hiring manager to manually review each and every application, including those that may not have the right experience for the job.

This is why companies use ATS or Applicant Tracking Systems . They are automated software that electronically parse and process your resume, reducing the number of resumes hiring managers have to manually review. Go here if you need an ATS-ready resume template .

If you want to check if your resume can be read by ATS, try out our ATS resume checker here.

Erica McCurdy, from McCurdy Life Coach, stresses the importance of matching your resume to the job description: "If you are submitting your resume online, you will want to make sure you incorporate the major points and keywords from the job description in your resume and make sure you are using a format that is ATS optimized."

Steph, from Off The Clock Resumes, also had these 6 tips to add about how to make sure your resume is readable by ATS:

• "ATS can’t read text placed in headers or footers.
• ATS can’t read text placed in charts, tables, or text boxes.
• ATS doesn’t care about bold, underlined, italicized, colored, or color-filled text.
• ATS doesn’t see photos embedded in your resume (JPG or PNG files)
• ATS scans the text from left-to-right so it may not read text formatted in columns correctly."

Make sure you also upload your resume to the following tools to confirm it is ATS compliant:

• Resume Scanner : Upload your resume and get a free ATS resume scan
• Targeted Resume : Add your job description and we'll evaluate whether it is well targeted to the resume.

Related : Resume Trends To Follow in 2024

Resume Tip #11: If you're a programmer, list online projects or your Github

"If you're a programmer, be sure to list skills, languages, and frameworks clearly for the benefit of recruiters and hiring managers. Including a link to your Github profile or specific projects you've worked on will also enable resume reviewers to see your talent in action.

Recruiters often look for precise skills tied to the role so listing your proficiencies will help separate you from other resumes. Your Github profile and projects will help for hiring managers to see what you've worked on clearly."

This tip is from Beth Cohen, a Senior Recruiter at Fundera.

If you're not a programmer, you can still include links to your projects, whether that is your blog or your online portfolio.

Resume Tip #12: Use a clean resume template

Keep your resume design clean without a lot of clutter, colors , different fonts , or graphs. These can be easily overdone and when you're a recruiter reading hundreds of resumes, it's just too much to look at so you move on.

This tip is from Becky, from Go Write2Hire.

Additionally, using fancy styles and fonts increases the chance that your resume will be processed incorrectly by ATS. If you're unsure if your resume will be processed correctly by ATS, upload it for a free ATS resume scan .

Resume Tip #13: Organize your sections effectively

"Use separation to create visual space. Break up your past work experiences into sections and sub-sections, with at least a blank line of uniform spacing between each. Use section headers as an organizational tool."

"You want the reader of your resume to be able to go down your list—from one past work experience to the next—without all of the details blending together. However, don't use text boxes to do this; they tend to look very tacky and are not compatible with company applicant tracking systems . You don’t want your resume to end up in the hiring manager’s trash file because of a formatting error."

This tip is from Jan Hudson from Surf Search.

You can find resume templates which are compatible with ATS here.

Resume Tip #14: Use a meaningful file name

Use FirstName-LastName.pdf (or similar) as the filename . Recruiters often save resumes in the same folder and you'll be surprised at how often resumes get lost because they're saved as "Resume.pdf"!

Resume Tip #15: Use the active voice, not the passive voice

Using the active voice not only ensures your resume is less wordy and more concise, it also makes it more impactful.

Stacy Caprio also had this example to add regarding using the active voice:

"Use active voice and not passive when writing your resume bullet points . This means saying things such as "I increased revenue by X, when I set up campaign X" and not "Campaign revenue increased by X when the campaign was set up".

The first active voice example makes it clear you were the one who initiated the action and got the results, which is key to standing out with your resume."

Editor's note : Resume Worded's free resume checker scans your resume for the active voice. Try it out here .

Resume Tip #16: Proofread your resume. No spelling or grammar errors!

Obvious stuff here, but you’d be surprised at how many resumes we’ve seen that have spelling or grammar mistakes. Ask a friend to review your resume!

James Rice from WikiJob also had this to add : It is absolutely essential that you proofread your resume. Many recruiters will throw away resumes that have typos or other errors. Don’t rely on spell-check to spot all errors, as many typos will not show up. Read over the document slowly and concentrate on every word; it is also a good idea to show it to a friend or tutor and ask them to have a read through. Make sure you send in a resume to be proud of.

Tip #17. Follow up after you apply for a role!

"Don’t 'submit and forget,' take the time to follow up and inquire on the status of your submission. Include a link to your LinkedIn and ensure it is current. Bonus points if you have some recent LinkedIn recommendations. And extra bonus points if you already follow the hiring company on LinkedIn."

This tip is from Stephanie Mahnken, who leads the hiring process at Directom.

Go to this link if you need sample follow up networking emails !

Tip #18: Cover letters are important too!

Karen Elkins Cohen is a Director of Human Resources, and she stresses the importance of a cover letter, in addition to your resume.

"It's not just your resume, but your cover letter. Your resume may not detail where you meet every qualification, so a well-written cover letter is what will get you in the door. If you use a template you see online, use the structure, but not the exact words!

"I'm seeing the same wording on multiple letters, "Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the position available at your company. Given the requirements in the job description, I am certain that I have the necessary skills to successfully do the job adeptly and perform above expectations." It's terrible.

"Instead, in your cover letter , tell me exactly how your experience meets my qualifications. If I'm asking for a year of supervisory experience and you've never been a supervisor, that's okay -- tell me about how your leadership experience (volunteer? college? church ?) makes you a good supervisor .

Resume Tip #19: Ensure your resume is consistent with your online profiles (e.g. LinkedIn )

“Ensure that your resume matches up with your experience, education and qualification information that might be found on your online profiles. If a hiring manager spots any inconsistencies between the two, it may imply that you have something to hide.

It can also suggest that you haven’t put the care and attention in that’s expected when applying for a role and that you’re unaware of how to manage your personal online brand effectively – something which would be a red flag for those in commercial roles."

This tip is from Lars Herrem, from Nigel Wright Group.

Resume Tip #20: Avoid unnecessary industry jargon and acronyms

Keep the wording of your resume as simple as possible. Industry jargon and trade buzzwords are too niche, and you don't want to jeopardize your interview chances because the first HR staff member failed to understand it.

However, if the job ad calls for a particular acronym or buzzword in their requirements or qualifications, use it, of course. These are resume keywords.

This tip is from Christian Eilers, a career advice writer at Zety.com

Resume Tip #21: Use the right tenses to describe your achievements

We've said this before and we'll say it again, your resume is supposed to be a concise overview of your achievements — things you've achieved — and not your responsibilities.

This means that most of your bullet points should be in the past tense . After all, it's hard for something you accomplished to be written in the present tense. Most bullet points written in the present tense are often just responsibilities, and not things you actually accomplished. That said, there are some bullet points which can use the present tense — for example, if you're currently managing a team, you can use the present tense 'Manage' when describing your current role.

That's it from Resume Worded today! Thank you to all the contributors.

We hope you found these resume tips, hacks and tricks useful.

If you need more resources:

• Free resume review with Score My Resume
• ATS resume keyword scanner with Targeted Resume
• Free LinkedIn profile review with LinkedIn Review

If you have any questions, let us know! You can reach out to me directly on contact [at] resumeworded.com.

Founder, Resume Worded

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• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

Tips for Writing a Resume That Will Help You Get Hired

Brianna Gilmartin / The Balance

A resume is more than just a list of job roles, qualifications, and skills. It’s a sales document, highlighting your achievements in a way that recruiters, hiring managers, and future mentors can appreciate. It’s also a tool for getting past the applicant tracking systems, the software programs that 99% of the biggest companies use to evaluate resumes.

Whether you’re writing your first resume or polishing your mid-career one, these tips will help you create a document that persuades employers to get to know you better.

Here’s how to create a resume that will help you land an interview. 

Include the Right Information

Every resume should include some basic information, including your contact details, work experience, job skills, and education and training. Depending on the job, industry, and your qualifications, you may also choose to include optional sections such as an  objective, a resume profile, volunteer work or hobbies, GPA and honors, etc.

• Guidelines for What to Include in a Resume
• How to Include Your Contact Information on Your Resume
• How to Write a Resume Profile

Pick a Resume Format

 Depending on your personal and professional circumstances, you'll probably want to choose a  chronological ,  functional , or  combination  resume.

Decide which type best fits your work experience, educational background, and skill set.

• Resume Formats: Types of Resumes (With Examples)
• Will a Creative Resume Get You Hired?
• How to Apply for Jobs Online

Review Templates and Samples

Using a resume template can help you organize your experience and qualifications. Look for resume samples for your specific industry, job title, or interest.

• Free Resume Templates and Resume Builders
• Free Resume Templates for Microsoft Word
• 100+ Resume Samples and Templates

Be sure to customize your document for your experience and for each position. If you stick too closely to these samples, you’ll wind up with a generic resume that will do nothing to highlight your skills.

Match Your Qualifications to the Job

A good resume highlights the skills and qualifications you have that will be most appealing to the hiring manager. It’s not a complete  work history  or professional biography. To figure out what to include—and what to cut—analyze the job listing. Pay careful attention to how the employer describes the skills, experience, and responsibilities required for the role.

• How to Match Your Qualifications to a Job
• How to Show an Employer You Have Added Value at Work
• Why and How to Include Numbers on Your Resume

Include Important Keywords

Kaan Tanman / E+ / Getty Images

Your resume should include the same keywords that appear in job descriptions. That way, you will increase the chances of your resume matching open positions and of your being selected for an interview.

Also include  keywords in your cover letter  because that correspondence will be screened, too. Keywords change with the times, so stay up-to-date with your industry.

• Tips for Using Resume Keywords
• Best Keywords to Use in Your Job Search
• Resume and Cover Letter Action Verbs

Highlight Hot Skills

Remember that employers are hiring workers to solve a problem for them. Which of your skills will help you maximize their profits, minimize their losses, and improve their products and services? Highlight those skills on your resume, and watch your candidate profile zoom to the top of their interview list.

• The Best Job Skills to Include on Your Resume
• What Is a Skill Set?
• How to Write a Resume Skill Section

Optimize Job Descriptions

Job descriptions are your chance to appeal to both screening software and human readers. Be sure to include keywords from the job description, but otherwise focus on telling a story that will resonate with  hiring managers . What did you accomplish in this job, and how did it make you an ideal candidate for your next position?

• How to Make a Job Sound Super Impressive on Your Resume
• Power Words to Use in Your Resume
• Every Job Seeker Needs 3 Resumes and Here’s Why

Master the Details

Choose a basic font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana, leave one-inch margins on each side of your resume, and format your text consistently. Small details make a big impact on hiring managers, recruiters, and other decision-makers.

• The Best Font Size and Style for Resumes
• Standard Formatting Guideline for Resume Margins
• How Many Pages Should a Resume Be?

Always follow directions when submitting your resume, cover letter, and other application materials. For example, if a job listing asks that candidates send their resumes in PDF format, don’t send your document in Word. Ignoring instructions can get your application booted from the process.

Email Your Resume the Right Way

 Hero Images / Getty Images

Again, always follow the employer’s instructions about how to send your resume. Use the document type specified, e.g., PDF or Microsoft Word, send as an attachment or cut and paste as requested, and include a  cover letter .

• How to Email a Resume
• Email Subject Lines for Job Applications and Resumes
• How to Email a Resume and Cover Letter Attachment

Key Takeaways

• A good resume should contain keywords that appeal to applicant tracking systems and stories that resonate with human hiring teams.
• Choose a resume format that highlights your skills, qualifications, and work experience; a functional or combination resume format may be best if you want to emphasize your abilities over your experience.
• Adhere to the employer’s instructions when applying for a position; always include a cover letter if asked, and send your resume in the document format requested.

Jobscan.co. " 99% of Fortune 500 Companies Use Applicant Tracking Systems ."

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• Functional Resume: Writing...

Functional Resume: Writing Guide, Examples, & Template

11 min read · Updated on August 28, 2024

What is a functional resume, and is it suitable for your job search?

Submitting the best resume possible is essential regardless of the job you're applying to. Selecting the proper format for your unique circumstances is one aspect of ensuring that's the case. Many turn to the common chronological resume format. But what happens if your work history and skills don't fall neatly within that format? Then, a functional resume might be an option.

Below, we answer, “What is a functional resume?” and share tips with a template, as well. 

What is a functional resume?

The functional resume format emphasizes your skills over your work history. The goal of a functional resume is to craft your carer history in such a way that proves how the skills you've acquired align with the job you want. It's these skills that will stand out first and foremost to the hiring team. 

You still include your work history in a functional resume, though you don't go into detail about your accomplishments for each specific position. Instead, you include your accomplishments within each skill category. 

FORESHADOWING: We have a functional resume example at the end of this post you can refer to and see how this works. 

A functional resume tends to be a last-resort format for a couple of reasons:

Applicant tracking systems sometimes have a difficult time reading a functional resume format. 

Since the functional format is not that common, it can be more difficult for recruiters and hiring managers to find the information they're seeking quickly.

Still, if you don't have a traditional work history but have many skills relevant to the job you're applying for, a functional resume could be the best choice for you. 

What is a functional resume vs. a chronological resume?

The chronological resume, also referred to as a reverse chronological resume, is the most commonly used resume format. This format focuses on your work history instead of skills like the functional format. 

In the chronological format, you will include your most recent job first, with the rest of your experience in reverse chronological order. Each position will have a set of bullets that flesh out your achievements in that role. 

A chronological resume is an ATS-friendly format when it's written correctly. It also tends to be the most popular among hiring teams since they're familiar with the format and can easily locate the information that matters to them. 

Related reading: How to Use a Reverse Chronological Resume Format

What is a functional resume vs. a hybrid resume?

A hybrid resume, also called a combination resume, blends aspects of the chronological and functional resume formats. The goal of a hybrid resume is to equally emphasize your skills and work history. 

The hybrid resume has become a popular format choice for candidates since it gives the opportunity to emphasize the skills you have in combination with your work history. It's also a format that tends to be easily read by ATS and human readers. 

Related reading: The Best Resume Format to Get You Hired

When should you use a functional resume?

Now that we've answered “What is a functional resume?” let's discuss when you should and shouldn't use this format option.

A functional resume might work well for you if:

You have been out of the workforce for a while. Suppose you're reentering the workforce after some time. In that case, you might not want that fact to be the first thing prospective employers notice about your resume. Instead, you'd prefer they see your impressive categories of skills. 

You have a large gap in your employment history. Similar to being out of the workforce for a while, a functional resume helps to emphasize your relevant skills first to give a positive spin on your resume, helping to take the emphasis off of your employment gap(s). 

You have held jobs that span a lot of different types and industries . If your employment record is all over the place regarding the industries and types of jobs you've held, it might not be easy for a hiring team to connect your experience to the job you're applying for. A functional resume will allow you to emphasize that you have the skills necessary for the job first, so your diverse employment record isn't called into question (hopefully) as much. 

You have little to no work experience. You might not have much work experience if you're right out of college. You do likely, however,  have a lot of skills you've acquired through school activities, sports, part-time work, or school clubs. A functional resume allows you to be creative in the skills you represent first, helping to grab the attention of hiring teams with what's most relevant.

Your skills have been acquired through means other than traditional work experience. Suppose you have relevant skills acquired through things like hobbies, interests, or volunteer experience over conventional work experience. In that case, a functional resume will allow you to emphasize these skills so they stand out better than they would in a chronological format. 

When should you not use a functional resume?

If any of the following pertain to you, then it's likely in your best interest to choose a hybrid or chronological resume format:

You have a traditional employment career trajectory. If you have plenty of work experience related to the job with a typical career growth path, then a chronological or hybrid resume is the way to go. 

You're changing careers and want to emphasize transferable skills. If you've gained a lot of transferable skills and are making a career shift, a hybrid resume is an excellent way to highlight your transferable skills first, with your work experience coming in second. 

Your most recent employment history is relevant. If your most recent employment is relevant to the job, even if some of the rest of your work history isn't, you'll likely do better with a hybrid or chronological format over a functional one. 

What to include in a functional resume

Here are the sections to include in a functional resume:

Start with your contact information

Regardless of the format you select, you'll start it off with your contact information. This includes your name, cell phone number, email address, and location (city, state, zip code). You can also include your LinkedIn or professional website URL. 

Kick it off with a resume summary

Another common element across all resume formats is starting it off with a resume summary . Your summary should encapsulate what your resume is about. You want to grab the reader's attention enough for them to want to learn more. Include three to five essential skills and one to two accomplishments, with some powerful adjectives to describe you. 

Categorize your skills

The bulk of your resume for a functional format will be your Professional Skills section. Here's where you'll categorize your skills and include key accomplishments from your experience to showcase how you applied those skills successfully in the past. 

Incorporate your work history

Following your Professional Skills section, include your work history. Here, include the name of the employer, your position, and the dates you were employed. Where you would include bullet points of your accomplishments below each position for a chronological and hybrid format, you will leave those off in the functional format. You've already covered key accomplishments within your categories of skills.

Close it off with education

Like other resume formats, your functional resume will end with your Education section . An exception to this is if you are a new hire with little to no work experience and a few skills to highlight. In that case, you'll emphasize your education by listing it first, followed by your Skills section and then your work history. 

Your Education section should include your degree and where you obtained it. You can also include any honors you might've achieved. 

Many also choose to include any relevant certifications in their Education section. Or, you can opt to include a separate Certifications section if you have more than one to highlight.

Include additional sections as appropriate

You may include additional sections on your resume depending on your unique circumstances. Additional sections could include Volunteer Experience, Hobbies and Interests, Certifications, Special Projects, and Technical Skills.

Tips for writing your functional resume

Here are a few additional tips to help you craft a job-winning resume:

Tailor your resume to each job. Refer to the job description and tailor your resume to include keywords and information that aligns with your skills and experience. 

Use power verbs. Begin each work accomplishment bullet point with a power verb . 

Include as much quantifiable information as possible. When describing your accomplishments, include results and use data to quantify those results as much as possible. 

Example of a functional resume 

Here is an example of a functional resume for someone pursuing an HR-related job. You'll see this individual has a brief employment gap and a bit of an unconventional career path, making a functional resume a suitable option.

Kendra Smith

555.555.5555 | [email protected] | Morgantown, WV 26250 

Intuitive professional with multi-dimensional expertise in Human Resources for diverse group of industries, including oil & gas, finance, Internet marketing, and real estate. Timely and efficient with the ability to work with all levels of staff within an organization. Influential in working with leadership teams to support the best interests and wellbeing of employees. Expertise includes recruiting, employee relations, training and development, and performance management. 

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Staffing & Recruiting

• Partnered with recruiters to rebuild workforce after a 40% reduction due to Hurricane Katrina relocation
• Counseled management while going through a reduction in force for 150+ positions
• Recruited for over 500 positions in multi-faceted environments
• Utilized applicant tracking system (ATS) software, including Taleo, JobVite, and SAP, to monitor resume submissions and data
• Designed a one-stop shop website to assist new hires in assimilating to the community and company

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Managed employee relations for global and domestic client groups totaling 500-700 employees for multi-million dollar companies
• Designed and implemented new company-wide Service Award Program
• Developed new Performance Management process resulting in more effective employee development, documentation, and communication
• Directed relocation project and successfully transferred 300+ positions from Austin to Houston, TX

Communications & Policy Design

• Prepared and administered 40+ HR-focused policies, including performance management, non-solicitation, harassment, education reimbursement, annual MVR reviews, and discipline for $4.5B start-up company
• Partnered with HR & Legal departments to develop and present materials for pertinent employee communications, including Austin relocation, benefits open enrollment, and policy updates
• Presented HR updates, including goals and projects, for monthly Leadership staff meetings
• Drafted and wrote 200+ employee, HR, and CEO communications

Training & Development

• Developed 30+ training modules focused on HR Foundational skills for supervisors and managers, including union avoidance, effective communication, performance management, employment law, recruiting, and employee development
• Spearheaded culturally sensitive technical and professional career development plans for 100 international and domestic employees
• Trained HR colleagues on I-9 government compliance

WORK EXPERIENCE

HR SME Copywriter:  IESquared, LLC, Houston, TX, 6/2020 - Present 

Public Relations Specialist:  PrimeWay Credit Union, Houston, TX. 4/2017 - 6/2020 

HR Recruiter:  HighMount E & P, Oklahoma City, OK, 11/2012 - 5/2013

HR Operations Manager:  Dominion E & P, Houston, TX, 9/2010 - 10/2012

EDUCATION   

West Virginia University – Morgantown, WV

• Master of Science in Human Resources and Industrial Relations
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Is a functional resume right for you?

Now that you know the answer to “What is a functional resume?” it's time to decide if it's the right option for you. If you have a traditional work history, recent relevant work, or are applying for a job where your work history is necessary to include in detail, then you should forgo the functional resume format. If you fall into any of the other categories above where a functional resume could be of value, then go for it. And, when in doubt, you can always hire a resume writer to help. Good luck!

Are you using the right format for your resume? Find out by submitting it for a free resume review . Our experts will review it and provide specific tips to help improve it and get past an ATS!

Recommended reading:

How to Check If My Resume Is ATS-Friendly for Free

15 Expert Tips to Working with Recruiters

Strategic Job Search Planning: Land Your Dream Job

Related Articles:

How to Write a Short Bio? (With Examples)

7 Best Personal Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

Great Jobs for Teens: Top Picks for 16-Year-Olds

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How to write the “About Me” section in a Resume? (11+ examples)

Published on September 2nd, 2024

While building your resume, the "About Me" section in a resume is that golden opportunity to showcase who you uniquely and professionally are. It is in this section that you get to tell them who you are beyond titles and skills. But how do you know this section hits the mark? Let's dive into some tips and examples to help you write an "About Me" section worth reading.

Why is the “About Me” Section Important?

Your "About Me" section is the elevator pitch of your resume. This is the summary of your professional journey, your skills, and the value you can bring to the table. If it's done correctly, it will grasp the recruiter's attention and set the tone for the remainder of your resume.

Tips for Writing an Engaging “About Me” Section

• Keep it short: Your "About Me" section is supposed to summarize, not be a biography. Try to keep it within 3-4 sentences that highlight your career and what sets you apart.
• Be real: This is your opportunity to shine as you. Stay away from jargon and clichés and get to the root of what makes you different from every other candidate out there.
• Personalize it for the Job:  Tailor-make your "About Me" section for each application. Highlight those skills and experiences that best fit the job you are applying for.
• Achievements: Just listing your responsibilities isn't saying enough; show how well you can do it. Mention significant achievements or milestones that prove the impact.
• Industry Keywords:  Sprinkle relevant industry keywords naturally in your "About Me" section. It will not only help with the ATS but also do wonders for the human reader.
• Enthusiasm: Convey that you are very excited to be hired because you love the work involved in the field.

What to Put in the “About Me” Section of a Resume?

Knowing what to put in the “About Me” section of a resume can be challenging, but it's important to strike the right balance between professionalism and personality. Here are some key elements you should consider including:

Professional Summary: In the resume summary, write a small introduction about yourself regarding your designation, experience, and key skills. This gives the reader a snapshot of your professional background quickly.

Core Skills:  List some of the most important skills that you master for the job you are applying for. These would range from technical expertise to soft skills such as leadership or effective communication.

Career Achievements:  Highlight some of the greatest accomplishments or milestones of your career. This will go a long way to show the impacts you have brought to previous roles and can further enhance your profile.

Personal Traits:  While it’s important to focus on professional attributes, including a few personal traits can help humanize your resume. For example, you might mention your enthusiasm for problem-solving, creativity, or passion for continuous learning.

Career Goals:  If space permits, briefly mention your career goals or what you’re looking for in your next role. This can show potential employers that you’re thoughtful about your career trajectory and how their role fits into your plans.

11+ Resume About Me Examples

For a Marketing Professional:  

Passionate marketing strategist with over 5 years of experience in developing data-driven campaigns that drive brand awareness and sales growth. Skilled in social media management, content creation, and analytics.

For a Software Engineer:  

Innovative software engineer with 7+ years of experience in full-stack development. Adept at solving complex problems and building scalable applications that improve user experience.

For a Graphic Designer:  

Creative graphic designer with a knack for visual storytelling. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite with a proven track record of delivering compelling designs that captivate audiences.

For a Human Resources Specialist:  

Experienced HR professional with a passion for fostering a positive work environment. Specializes in talent acquisition, employee relations, and implementing effective HR policies.

For a Sales Manager:  

Results-driven sales manager with a decade of experience in leading high-performing teams. Adept at crafting strategies that boost sales and enhance customer satisfaction.

For an Accountant:  

Detail-oriented accountant with a strong background in financial reporting and analysis. Committed to delivering accurate and timely financial information to support business decisions.

For a Content Writer:  

Versatile content writer with a flair for crafting engaging copy across various platforms. Specializes in SEO content that drives traffic and enhances brand visibility.

For a Project Manager:  

Seasoned project manager with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver projects on time and within budget. Skilled in Agile methodologies and risk management.

For a Data Analyst:  

A data-driven analyst with a passion for uncovering insights from complex datasets. Proficient in SQL, Python, and data visualization tools to support strategic decision-making.

For a Customer Service Representative:  

Dedicated customer service professional with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. Experienced in resolving issues efficiently and building long-term customer relationships.

For a Teacher:  

A passionate educator with over 8 years of experience in creating engaging learning environments. Committed to fostering student growth through innovative teaching methods.

How HireQuotient AI Resume Builder Help In Creating an About Me Section?

The HireQuotient AI Resume Builder simplifies creating the "About Me" section by generating personalized, keyword-optimized summaries. It analyzes your skills, experience, and achievements to craft a compelling and concise profile, ensuring you make a strong first impression on potential employers. The tool tailors the content to match the job description, enhancing your chances of standing out in the hiring process.

Ready to create a standout 'About Me' section effortlessly? Give AI Resume Builder a try – visit now and craft your perfect resume in minutes!

Instead, the "About Me" section is not just a resume filler, but it's your ticket to making a lasting impression. Whether you're a seasoned pro or fresh off the career boat, a well-crafted "About Me" section can make all the difference. Keep in mind to keep it short, real, and relevant for the job one applying for. With these few tips and examples, you're off to a great start in writing that "About Me" section, representing yourself with the real deal of what you bring to the table.

By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your “About Me” section is not only engaging but also optimized with the keyword "About me" naturally integrated throughout the content. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you introduce yourself in a resume?

The first words of your professional introduction should include your name, job title, and employer.

What is a good line about me for a resume?

A strong line should summarize your professional identity and key skills. Example:  “Results-driven project manager with 7+ years of experience leading successful teams and projects.”

How do I write about me?

Summarize your career highlights, skills, and unique qualities in a concise, engaging way relevant to the job.

How do I tell about myself?

Briefly cover your professional background, key skills, and personality traits that align with the role you’re applying for.

How to write a personal profile?

Write a short, focused summary of your career goals, skills, and accomplishments that align with the job and capture attention.

Soujanya Varada

As a technical content writer and social media strategist, Soujanya develops and manages strategies at HireQuotient. With strong technical background and years of experience in content management, she looks for opportunities to flourish in the digital space. Soujanya is also a dance fanatic and believes in spreading light!

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How to Write a Resume Summary (With 5 Examples)

As a job seeker in today's job market , your resume is the ticket to securing interviews. However, hiring managers get many job applications and have a mere 7 seconds to spend on each resume. So, this single document is your chance to leave an impression on them.

And this is where the resume summary takes centre stage. It piques the curiosity of hiring managers and encourages them to learn more about you. A resume summary sits at the top of your resume. It is like a teaser, offering a glimpse of your professional identity.

But what makes for an effective resume summary? And what should it contain to capture the hiring manager's attention?

In this article, we will understand what a good resume summary should look like. We will outline the key elements, and provide you with resume summary examples to guide you in creating a compelling one. You'll also learn what to do and what to avoid when crafting your resume summary.

What is a Resume Summary?

Understanding your target audience when writing a resume summary, key elements of a resume summary statement, writing a compelling resume summary, 5 professional resume summary examples, tailoring your resume summary to different industries, tips for optimising your resume summary for applicant tracking systems (ats).

• The Dos and Don'ts of Professional resume Summary Writing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A resume summary is a short paragraph highlighting your relevant experience, relevant skills and your professional achievements. In short, the summary of a resume is like a quick preview of your past accomplishments.

The goal is to make the hiring manager want to read more about you, increasing your chances of landing your dream job. A good resume summary highlights your qualities and achievements right at the beginning. This shows the hiring managers that you are a good fit for the job position. It gives them a solid reason to consider hiring you.

A professional resume summary is often mistaken for a resume objective. A resume summary emphasises the skills and experiences that match the job you're applying for. While a resume objective outlines the position you seek and your career goals.

Various professionals may review your resume. This includes hiring managers, individuals in human resources, potential employers, and recruiters. Write a resume summary that aligns with their broader expectations for better odds.

This involves understanding the employer's expectations. Recognise the relevant skills and qualifications they seek in the people and i dentify what the company values in terms of abilities and relevant experience.

By doing this you ensure the resume summary resonates with your potential employer's preferences. This makes your application more compelling.

The length of a resume summary

When writing a resume summary statement, remember to keep it concise yet impactful. It should capture the reader's attention fast and should be 3 to 5 sentences long.

The structure of a resume summary

A well-structured resume summary follows a logical flow. It begins with a strong opening statement that generally has your qualifications summary. Follow this with a brief overview of your skills and achievements. And conclude it with a clear statement emphasising what you bring to the role.

The tone and style of a resume summary

The tone and style of a resume summary are key to making a lasting impression. Avoid casual language or jargon. Instead, opt for clear, action-oriented language that conveys confidence. Keep your tone professional, positive and engaging. The style should be consistent with the rest of your resume.

The use of keywords in a resume summary

Identify the relevant keywords from the job ad and weave them into your summary. This enhances your chances of getting past the initial screening.

Creating an engaging career summary can help you get your dream job. Write a resume summary with an attention-grabbing opening that intrigues the reader.

Next, add about your current job title, core skills and achievements. Mention the skills that closely match the job requirements. To make your past accomplishments more impactful, use numbers and data.

Additionally, communicate what sets you apart. Highlight any unique experiences you own. Also, avoid using vague language or including details that don't relate to the job.

With these tips in mind, develop an effective resume summary that proves you're the best fit for the job.

Looking to start writing your own resume summary? Here are some professional summary examples you can use as reference.

College student resume summary example

Dedicated college student majoring in Computer Science. Driven to apply academic knowledge, a creative mindset, and a strong work ethic to excel in the technology industry. Skilled in programming, data analysis and the ability to adapt to new challenges. Excited to contribute to XYZ Tech, while gaining valuable experience to support future career goals.

Entry-level job seekers resume summary example

Motivated and enthusiastic recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Strong foundation in business principles, including marketing, finance, and operations. Solid understanding of data analysis and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Proven ability to work in team environments, with excellent interpersonal skills. Eager to contribute to a dynamic organisation and kickstart a successful career in the business field.

Receptionist resume summary example

Experienced receptionist with strong communication skills and a welcoming demeanour. Proven track record of efficiently managing front desk tasks, including greeting visitors, handling calls, and scheduling appointments. Adept at maintaining a professional and organised office environment. Seeking to contribute expertise in ensuring a positive and smooth guest experience.

Data analyst resume summary example

An experienced data analyst with a talent for translating complex data into actionable insights. Skilled at providing data-driven solutions resulting in a 15% increase in business performance. Proficient in utilising data visualisation tools to present findings, contributing to a 25% improvement in data understanding. Excited to apply analytical skills and contribute to the success of the organisation.

Executive assistant resume summary example

An executive assistant with a track record of providing support to C-suite executives. Expertise in managing complex schedules, coordinating high-level meetings, and maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information. Known for strong organisational and communication skills, ensuring seamless executive office operation.

If these samples are helpful to you, you can also check out these great resume templates .

Each industry has different needs and expectations. Understanding these requirements is crucial. It positions you as a well-prepared job seeker.

Adapting your resume summary involves aligning your qualifications with the specific industry's needs. It ensures that you highlight the most relevant aspects of your background that directly relate to the job you seek. This customisation increases your chances of standing out as the right person for the role.

Examples of industry-specific resume summaries

• For healthcare roles, a resume summary may highlight patient care skills and relevant certifications.
• In the technology field, you could showcase programming languages and project achievements.
• In finance, your resume summary can include financial analysis and risk management skills.
• In the culinary industry, a resume summary may spotlight culinary skills and achievements.
• For engineering roles, it could showcase expertise in specific engineering projects and innovations.
• In the education sector, it might highlight teaching methodologies and classroom achievements.

Writing industry-specific summaries will make you a more relevant and competitive job seeker.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are automated tools used by employers during the initial resume screening. ATS scans resumes for keywords and criteria set by the employer to filter suitable talent.

To make your resume summary ATS-friendly, analyse the job posting to identify important keywords and phrases. These could include technical skills, job-specific terms, and qualifications. Then blend these keywords into your professional summary, ensuring a natural flow and readability. This approach aligns your resume summary with the job. It also helps ATS recognise your qualifications, increasing your chances for further review.

Use headings such as "Summary" or "Professional Summary" so that the ATS identifies it with ease. Save your resume in PDF or .doc formats to ensure your resume is processed by various ATS software.

The Dos and Don'ts of Professional Resume Summary Writing

A professional resume summary statement is key in making you stand out. Below, you'll find a list of Dos and Don'ts to guide you in crafting a professional summary.

• Tailor to the specific role: Align your summary with the job description. Emphasise the skills and experiences that make you a strong fit.
• Use quantifiable achievements: Include specific numbers and metrics to illustrate your accomplishments. An example: “increased sales by 30%.”
• Keep it concise: Limit your resume summary to 3 to 5 powerful sentences. Ensure they capture the essence of your achievements and qualifications.
• Utilise industry keywords: Include relevant keywords from the job listing to make it ATS-friendly.
• Maintain professional tone: Write a resume summary with a professional and positive tone, focusing on what you can offer to the employer.
• Highlight your value proposition: Clearly articulate what makes you unique and how you can contribute to the company's success.
• Use proper grammar and spelling: Edit and proofread to ensure your resume summary is free from grammatical and spelling errors.
• Don't write in the first person: Are you unsure about using the first or third person for your resume summary? Then here's a simple rule: Always use the third person.
• Don't be too generic: Avoid using vague sentences when writing a career summary statement as it can lead to missed opportunities. Craft an effective, specific resume summary to make yourself stand out to the hiring manager.
• Don't include personal information. Avoid personal details such as your age, marital status, or photographs in your professional summary. Focus on professional qualifications and experiences.
• Don't include irrelevant information: A good resume summary should focus on the experiences and skills. So don't write anything that is not pertinent to the job position.
• Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach: Tailor the resume summary section for each job title to avoid using the same one for all.

A professional resume summary is your first opportunity to say, "I'm the one you're looking for." A well-written resume summary is more than words. It's your professional identity in a nutshell, and it can open doors to exciting career opportunities.

Remember, a strong resume summary sets the stage for a successful job application. Invest the time and effort to craft one that leaves a lasting positive impression.

• What is the ideal length of a resume summary? ⁠Resume summary statements are typically 3 to 5 sentences long. Keep it brief and provide a qualifications summary to grab the hiring manager's attention. ⁠
• Should I include my resume objective in my resume summary? ⁠No, you should not include your resume objective in your resume summary. ⁠A resume summary highlights your qualifications, relevant job experience, skills and accomplishments. But, a resume objective statement focuses on your personal career goals and what you aspire to achieve in the job. ⁠ ⁠Including your resume objective in the resume summary could confuse potential employers. So it is best to keep them separate on your resume. ⁠
• How do I tailor my resume summary to different job postings? ⁠To tailor your resume for different jobs, read the job ad thoroughly. Focus on matching the skills, using the right keywords and highlighting your achievements. Create unique resume summaries for each job ad to improve your chances of getting interviews. ⁠
• Can I use the same resume summary for different job applications? ⁠No. It is not recommended to use the same resume summary for different job applications. Each position may have unique requirements and preferences. Hence it is advisable to personalise your resume depending on the job you are applying for. ⁠
• How do I make my resume summary stand out from the competition? ⁠To make your resume summary stand out from other job applicants, highlight what makes you unique. Emphasise specific skills, past accomplishments, and experiences. Use numbers to quantify your achievements. Also add the right keywords from the job posting to align with the job's requirements. ⁠
• Why is a professional summary important in a resume? ⁠A professional summary in your resume offers a quick overview of your key skills and relevant job experience. Its primary purpose is to help the hiring manager quickly grasp why you're a strong fit for the job. Crafting a good professional summary sets a positive tone for your resume. It also increases your chance of securing job interviews. ⁠
• Should you write your complete professional experience in the resume summary? ⁠No, a well written resume summary should be concise. It should offer a quick snapshot of your qualifications. Extensive details belong in the later sections of your resume.

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How to showcase your social media skills on your resume

With billions of people currently using social media, businesses that want to grow need to build a presence on major platforms to connect with a wider audience. As a job seeker, you should showcase how you can help businesses accomplish that goal. Learning how to highlight social media skills like paid advertising and customer care can help you show your value as a candidate and stand out to potential employers.

Understanding social media skills 

Social media skills are a specific set of capabilities that allow people to successfully engage with and market to an audience across social media platforms. Because of the broad nature of social media skills, they can typically fall under the categories of hard and soft skills. 

For example, social media marketing involves data analytics, which is considered a technical skill. However, it also involves communication, which is a soft skill.

Both technical and soft social media skills are important for landing a job because they show employers that you know how to use updated technology and engage with a target audience. Some key skills that many employers value and look for in candidates include:

• Creating organic content for social media feeds
• Writing captions that capture the audience’s attention
• Setting KPIs and reporting on analytics data
• Managing social media communities
• Answering inquiries and providing customer service
• Executing paid advertising strategies to increase sales

When they feature social media skills, resumes for marketing, public relations, and customer service jobs can stand out as particularly competitive . However, these skills can also be highly relevant in a number of other industries — such as human resources, hospitality, and retail — because they signal an ability to attract customers and connect with an audience.

Identifying your social media skills 

Before you can showcase social media skills on your resume , you must be able to identify what skills you have. Conduct a self-assessment of your own skills based on your past professional experience. For example, if you’re an experienced customer service agent, you may be great at engaging customers via direct messages or responding to queries in the comments. 

If business analysis is more your speed, you may be excellent at evaluating social media analytics and understanding how KPIs are affecting business outcomes. Those in the marketing and public relations industry may deeply understand how to create attractive content that brands the business and attracts engagement and sales.

Once you understand what social media skills you already have, it’s time to gather evidence of those skills so you can share this information in your cover letter and resume. You might include case studies of successful social media campaigns, analytics reports that show how social media activity positively impacted the business, or a portfolio of content that drew lots of likes and engagement.

Expert Tip:

If you have already built a social media following of your own, you can add this information to your resume. Consider adding the profile page URL to showcase your content as well as some information about the results you have achieved on each platform.

How to list social media skills on your resume

If you want to bring attention to your social media skills, resumes are the best place to do it. However, the way you list social media skills on your application will depend on the resume format you use. 

If you’re using a reverse chronological format with a separate skills section, you can easily place them there. You can use terms like social engagement, content creation, social media analytics, online community management, social media branding, or paid social advertising. 

Still, when you are highlighting expertise in social media, resume skills sections aren’t the only place you can put this information. You might also want to incorporate it into your work experience section using bullet points under the positions in which you used those skills.

When considering how to put social media skills on resumes, try altering the bullet points on your resume sample using the X-Y-Z method . Touted by former Google executives as the easiest way to land an interview at the tech giant, this method follows a simple formula: “Accomplished [X], as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]. (1) For example:

• Grew followers by 25% this year by launching user-generated content campaigns that encouraged fans to create and share Duet videos on their TikTok profiles
• Improved engagement with 32% more likes and comments using “sneak peek” posts and giveaways during new product launches
• Increased brand awareness as measured by a 14% rise in branded search volume and a 22% rise in the share of voice by incorporating lifestyle imagery in paid social ads

This method highlights the importance of quantifying achievements when sharing social media skills on resumes. Being able to discuss your accomplishments with concrete numbers truly shows that you are aware of how your skills contribute to business outcomes. This is what will help you stand out from the pack, get interviews, and eventually land the job you want.

"Social media skills are important for landing a job because they show employers that you know how to use updated technology and engage with a target audience."

Tailoring your social media skills for the job

Any resume or cover letter templates you use should always be customized for the job you’re applying for. One simple way to do this is to read the job description. When listing social media skills, resumes should use the same terms listed by the company. This will help you customize your document, and it may also help you get past electronic ATS resume systems that are looking for those keywords.

You can also tailor your social media skills for the job by researching the job title and considering how social media skills can contribute to success in the role. 

For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, how have you used social media to increase conversions? If the role is in human resources, how have you tracked and increased candidate engagement that led to more qualified hires?

Customizing your resume this way ensures that your application materials include only relevant information. It also makes it easier for the recruiter or hiring manager to see why you’re the right person for the job.

Enhancing your LinkedIn profile with social media skills

The use of LinkedIn is increasingly becoming a hot topic in resume articles as more people are recognizing the power of social media in the job search process. Because more recruiters are on LinkedIn looking for their next hire and the platform makes it so easy to electronically apply for jobs, it’s a good idea for you to be ready with a full profile and details about your past experience and skills.

Fortunately, LinkedIn has several ways for you to show off your social media skills. The first is optimizing your profile, which is like your LinkedIn resume . It’s best to highlight your social media skills in your Headline, “About” section, and “Experience” section using the same language you used for the bullet points on your resume. Make sure to enhance these sections with relevant keywords that make your profile easy to find.

Additionally, LinkedIn allows you to add a list of skills to your profile and have your connections endorse your possession of those skills. The platform also allows others to write recommendations for you. 

These endorsements and recommendations can make your profile more attractive. For example, if you list social media manager skills, resume recommendations on LinkedIn can show a recruiter that the content and engagement strategies you employ have gotten tangible results for others and can do the same for their business.

Gain recruiters’ attention with standout social media skills

Showcasing social media skills like content creation, analytics, customer service, and paid advertising on your resume helps you stand out as someone who understands modern technology and can use it to grow the business. 

When highlighting social media skills, resumes (including those on LinkedIn) should include quantified results and use keywords similar to those on the job description.

Because the world of social media moves fast, regularly update your application materials with new skills and achievements to stay competitive. Using resume and cover letter examples and templates as a starting point can make this process a breeze. With some simple tweaking, you can show off your skills in a way that grabs attention and helps you move your career forward.

(1) Inc. Magazine: Google Recruiters Say Using the X-Y-Z Formula on Your Resume Will Improve Your Odds of Getting Hired at Google

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How to Write a Winning Resume for Freshers: Top Tips and Free Templates

• August 31, 2024
• No comments
• 4 minute read

Table of Contents

What is a fresher job title, 1. choose the right fresher resume format, 2. structure your resume effectively, 3. focus on relevant skills, 4. resume formatting for freshers, 5. customize for each job application, 6. proofread and edit, sample resumes and templates for freshers, using zolostays for your next step.

Starting your journey into the professional world as a fresher can be both exciting and intimidating. Crafting a standout resume is your first step toward making a memorable impression. Whether you’re stepping out of university or shifting to a new field, your resume is a critical tool in showcasing your potential. This guide will provide you with essential strategies for creating a compelling resume, walk you through different formats, and offer templates to help you get started.

Understanding What a Fresher Is?

Before diving into the nuances of resume writing, it’s essential to clarify what being a “fresher” entails in the job market. A fresher is someone who is entering a particular industry or field for the first time, typically without any substantial professional experience. This group usually includes recent graduates or individuals transitioning into a new career path.

A fresher job title generally pertains to entry-level positions that don’t require prior experience, making them perfect for those who are new to the workforce.

Tips for Writing a Resume for Fresher

• Chronological Format: Best suited for freshers with some internship or part-time work experience. It arranges your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role.
• Functional Format: This format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than work experience, making it ideal for those entering the job market with little to no professional background.
• Combination Format: A hybrid of chronological and functional formats, allowing you to emphasize both your skills and any relevant experience you may have.

Fresher Resume Template Tip: Choose a format that best highlights your strengths and aligns with the job you’re targeting.

• Contact Information: Place your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if relevant) at the top.
• Resume Summary: A concise statement summarizing your career goals and key competencies. For instance, a resume summary for IT freshers could highlight your coding skills and eagerness to learn new technologies.
• Education: List your most recent academic achievements first, including any relevant courses, projects, or certifications.
• Skills: Showcase skills that are pertinent to the job. For example, IT candidates might include programming languages, software expertise, or problem-solving capabilities.
• Internships/Experience: If you’ve completed any internships, list them here, emphasizing the skills you developed and the value you added.
• Projects/Certifications: Mention any academic or personal projects that are relevant to the job, along with any certifications that could give you an edge.
• Hobbies/Interests: While optional, listing hobbies and interests can add a personal touch, especially if they align with the company’s culture.

Skills are the cornerstone of a fresher’s resume. Highlight both technical (hard) skills and interpersonal (soft) skills, tailoring them to match the job description. For instance, proficiency in specific software, language skills, or leadership qualities can be essential additions.

• Keep it Simple: Use a clean, professional font like Arial or Times New Roman. Stick to one or two font sizes (e.g., 12pt for the body, 14pt for headings).
• Use Bullet Points: Break down achievements and responsibilities with bullet points for easy reading.
• Consistency is Key: Ensure uniform formatting, such as aligned dates and consistent spacing.
• Fresher Resume Format Tip: Aim to keep your resume to one page, as recruiters often spend only a few seconds on each resume.

Tailor your resume to each job by emphasizing the skills and experiences that are most relevant to that role. Incorporate keywords from the job description to help pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use to screen resumes.

Even a single typo can leave a bad impression. Carefully proofread your resume multiple times, and consider having a friend or mentor review it as well.

To kickstart your resume creation, here are a few examples and templates designed for freshers in various fields:

• Sample Resume for IT Freshers: Emphasizes technical skills, coding languages, and relevant projects or certifications.
• Fresher Resume Format: A sleek, modern template designed to showcase your strengths as a fresher.
• Entry-Level Resume: Balances education, skills, and internships, perfect for those with little to no work experience.

As you prepare to step into the job market, don’t overlook the importance of a supportive living environment. Zolostays offers a range of coliving spaces that are ideal for freshers and young professionals. With flexible leases and a community-oriented atmosphere, Zolostays provides the comfort and convenience you need to focus on your career goals.

Explore Zolostays’ coliving options and discover how they can support your career journey and professional growth.

Writing a resume as a fresher can be challenging, but with the right approach and careful attention to detail, you can create a resume that highlights your potential and sets you apart in the competitive job market. By following the tips outlined in this guide and choosing the right resume format, you’ll be well-prepared to land your first job and embark on a successful career.

Remember, your resume is a reflection of you—so invest the time to make it polished and professional. Good luck with your job search!

Related Topics

• Career entry
• Entry-level job applications
• Entry-level resume
• Fresher resume format
• how to make resume for freshers
• Job applications
• Professional documents
• Resume formatting
• Resume structure
• Resume writing for beginners

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Want your resume to stand out? Here are eight sureshot tips that will help

I have had the luxury, as an entrepreneur, of not having had to update my resume since 2009. Some would rightly call it shortsighted, as a resume that isn't periodically refreshed is an epitaph. (Keep that in mind.)

While my own resume may be overdue for an update, my resume skills have stayed sharp. Why, I have even enjoyed the challenge of crafting a professional-style resume for a movie star, an occupation far removed from the typical corporate career track.

Now, as someone who founded and runs a bespoke matchmaking service for elite singles, I get to see a lot more matrimonial bio data than CVs. Yet, as someone who remains hands-on with recruiting – inarguably one of the most important responsibilities of a CEO, especially at a small, growing business – I have useful insights to provide from the lens of a job-provider of fifteen years. This is apart from being able to draw on my own experience and lessons learned as a young professional.

So, it was with joy that I recently provided welcome resume writing tips to several college students approaching campus placement season at my alma mater, IIT-Madras. It is a pity that countless young professionals don't get such career guidance, let alone have access to a career services office on campus. (Please demand them, people!) It shows in the poor quality of resumes and job applications that routinely stream into my company's Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

It would also explain my being invited, some years ago, to pen job application tips for a management publication from a storied business school in Boston. The demand is real and recurring, among each new generation of young professionals.

I am pleased to have had the recent #GivingBack opportunity and to be able to counsel many more now through this column.

Here then are assorted resume writing tips to help you put your best foot forward as you apply for a job or to a degree program:

1. “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.”

So, a clean, well-formatted resume is a must. (In marketing lingo, you could call it a hygiene feature!) Why give time-constrained recruiters, faced with screening hundreds of resumes, excuses to weed your (poorly-formatted) resume out?

Use an ATS–scannable resume template, with a simple layout and only text – in a plain, professional, widely-recognized, and compatible font such as Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. Do not include any images—not even your photo—or tables.

2. “Aim and shoot”; don’t “Spray and pray”!

Tailor your resume to each company, organization, or job profile of interest. Include relevant, appropriate keywords in your resume, to catch the recruiter’s attention and suggest a better fit. Your objective is not merely to show that you are a suitable fit for the opportunity, but that you may be the best fit.

3. Articulate your experience and skills

I often see ill-advised job applicants make the mistake, when outlining their work experience, of simply listing the job responsibilities assigned to them. The bullet points may well have been lifted from the description of the job for which they were hired. I can’t but then doubt the applicants’ competence and communication skills, both key requirements for any job. Eminently avoidable unforced errors!

A solution: Use the widely-recommended STAR framework to articulate your experience and skills. Explain the Situation > Task > Action > Result. Crisply.

4. Words matter

Use impactful, functional-role-specific action verbs. Google “action verbs for resumes” and you’ll easily find lists of recommended verbs to articulate your skills and describe your accomplishments. E.g., “Created/Devised/Prepared” instead of “Made”; “Implemented/Deployed/Delivered” instead of “Worked on.”

5. Less is more

Omit needless words. Timeless advice from The Elements of Style , by EB White and William Strunk, Jr.

The classic, an easy yet worthwhile read, is out of copyright and freely available online.

6. Use space—and spaces—well

Your CV/resume should be no more than a page long. Exceptions are when you’re applying for a position in academia (no strict page limit then, unless otherwise specified) or are a seasoned professional.

A rule of thumb: One page for every ten years of work experience. A Summary section at the top of your resume would make sense if you are an industry veteran. The appropriate thing then would also be to detail your Experience before Education, rather than the other way around as a young professional.

Whatever be the page length norm, it doesn’t mean that you stuff as much as possible within a page. Avoid clutter and ensure sufficient white space for readability. You can save some nice-to-include nuggets – as against must-include ones – as pleasant surprises for the interview stages to follow.

7. Avoid typographical errors

Don’t ruin an otherwise good resume with typos such as spelling or grammatical mistakes, poor or missing punctuation, or inconsistent case. Such avoidable errors may signal insufficient interest or a lack of attention to detail. Worse, it may also reflect poorly on the likely quality of your work – ”If this is their output on a document as important as one’s resume, then…”.

Avoid an eleventh-hour rush in updating your resume. Take a break, before submitting your resume, and do a quality assurance check with fresh eyes.

8. Take all available help

Get a trusted, competent friend or acquaintance to review your resume. Ideally, this person would be qualified to critique your resume for the industry, sector, or functional role of interest.

Leverage all the freely accessible resources online, including sample resumes—for inspiration—in hundreds of career tracks, downloadable resume templates, and even online resume builders.

I have dusted off and templatized my resume, which you are welcome to download and adapt, from: https://drops.FreeElective.com/f/D0pQJj (Firstname-Lastname-University-Resume-DDMonYYYY.doc)

The Word document adheres to the layout recommended by the Chicago Booth School of Business' Career Services office. (Don't have Word? You can upload the file to Google Docs and work on it there.)

Good luck with landing that dream opportunity and with all that lies ahead!

– Anil Kumar is the founder and CEO of Jodi365.com , a bespoke matchmaking service for accomplished professionals, business owners, celebrities, and scions of reputed families. A graduate of IIT-Madras, he also holds an MS from The University of Iowa, a PhD from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from Chicago Booth. He lives in Chennai and tweets at @aktxt.

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