Updated: Sep 19, 2024

Want to get hired fast? A great resume can open doors quickly! Keep your resume looking sharp, and highlight your successes with real examples. Get ready to make your resume shine and speed up your job search!

Resumes are your best marketing tool; continually revise your resume and tailor it for each vacancy. A well-written resume that is customized for each company should showcase your achievements; contain proper language and grammar; and concisely summarize your education, experience and skills. When drafting or editing your resume, the guidelines to follow are brevity, accuracy, consistency, tailoring and organization.

Language, Grammar and Accuracy

Only use an objective statement that is original and will strengthen your resume; a general statement, such as one you found on the Internet or in a software template, does not reflect your individual achievements. If your objective is vague, delete or replace it with a value statement. Value statements focus on results instead of responsibilities. Quantify your success and include any awards, honors or memberships in professional or academic organizations. Proving your worth to a prospective employer requires more than experience in certain tasks. Showing specific numbers, such as increased sales or the number of people you supervised, demonstrates your efficacy.

Avoid pronouns and paragraphs; list items as bullets and use phrases beginning with an action verb. Be specific and descriptive. “Executed cashier duties” is vague. “Operated a cash register, enforced monetary security protocol, increased sales by 15% and solved customer complaints” describes your exact tasks and results.

Check consistency in your punctuation and tenses. Choose either past or present tense for uniformity. Have a coworker, professional editor or friend review your resume. Grammar mistakes are the easiest to fix yet are the most common reasons why recruiters ignore otherwise qualified applicants. Read your resume aloud; if anything sounds awkward, rephrase it. Check that all of your information, company and course titles, and dates are accurate. Never lie on a resume; employers often use background or credit checks after the interview process.

Layout, Length and Format

Check that your header includes all of your contact information, including name, phone number, email address and mailing address. If you are posting your resume on an online forum or career board, however, don’t include your address or an email address that contains financial information; identity thieves often pose as recruiters or search the Internet to gather personal information.

The layout of your resume should be logically and consistently organized with the most important and eye-catching information listed first. If you are a recent graduate, education and relevant course information are most important. If you have extensive experience within a field, your work history should be the first section. If you are attempting to shift into a new field, identify your relevant skills and list those first. Margins should never be less than 1 inch, and fonts should be no smaller than 10 point. Use boldface, underlining or italics sparingly, if at all. All-caps headers provide section separation without being overly stylized.

The ideal resume is 1 to 2 pages in length and follows a recognizable structure. The most common types of resumes are chronological, functional/skills, and hybrid/combination. The chronological type lists all of your experience (work, school and volunteer) in reverse chronological order. Functional resumes use skill headers that are supported by specific experiences. For example, a “leadership” section would include positions held in jobs, clubs and community involvement (supervisor, president, secretary, treasurer, board member or chair).

Paper resumes should always be printed using plain black font on high-quality white or neutral-toned paper. Save at least one plain text electronic version (to paste onto websites, job boards and emails) and check that your attached resumes have a standard format (.RTF, .doc, or .PDF).

Companies and Resources for Resume Assistance

Several companies and resources specialize in helping job seekers craft outstanding resumes. For instance, TopResume offers professional resume writing services tailored to your career goals. Their team of expert writers ensures your resume stands out by highlighting your strengths and achievements in a compelling manner.

ResumeGenius provides a comprehensive resume builder tool, complete with templates and step-by-step guidance, making it easier for individuals to create polished and professional resumes. This tool is particularly useful for those who prefer a DIY approach but still want a high-quality outcome.

LinkedIn is not just a social networking site; it also offers a robust resume builder feature. This tool can help you transform your LinkedIn profile into a resume format, ensuring your online and offline professional personas are consistent.

CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, offers valuable resources such as resume templates, tips for writing effective resumes, and even sample resumes across various industries. This site is an excellent starting point for those new to the job market or looking to make a career change.

Additional Tips and Best Practices

When sending your resume to potential employers, consider the following additional tips to maximize your chances of success. First, tailor your resume for each job application. This means highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to the job description. Employers appreciate when applicants take the time to align their qualifications with the job requirements.

Second, leverage keywords from the job listing in your resume. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. By incorporating relevant keywords, you increase the likelihood of your resume passing through these automated systems.

Finally, keep your online presence professional and consistent. Many employers will look up candidates online before making a hiring decision. Ensure that your LinkedIn profile, personal website, and any other professional social media accounts reflect positively on you and align with the information on your resume.

By following these guidelines and utilizing available resources, you can create a powerful resume that effectively markets your skills and experiences, helping you stand out in a competitive job market.