How to Write a Great Resume That Will Get You Hired

A resume serves as a critical component in the job application process, acting as the first point of contact between a candidate and a potential employer. It is a succinct document that outlines an individual’s professional background, including their skills, experiences, and achievements.

The importance of a resume cannot be overstated; it functions as a personal marketing tool that aims to capture the attention of hiring managers and convinces them of the candidate’s suitability for the position. Given the competitive nature of the job market, having a well-crafted resume is essential for making a strong first impression and advancing through the selection process.

The aim of this article is to provide unique and actionable tips for crafting a resume that stands out. Rather than reiterating common advice found elsewhere, we will focus on innovative strategies and insights that can help applicants differentiate themselves from the competition.

These tips will cover various aspects of resume writing, from structuring and formatting to highlighting accomplishments and tailoring content to specific job roles. Our goal is to empower job seekers with the knowledge and tools needed to create a compelling resume that not only showcases their qualifications but also aligns with the values and needs of potential employers, ultimately increasing their chances of securing an interview.

Understanding the Basics

The Evolution of Resumes: A Quick Look at How Resumes Have Changed in the Digital Age

Resumes have undergone significant transformations with the advent of the digital age, evolving from simple paper-based documents to dynamic digital profiles. In the past, resumes were typically one-size-fits-all documents that job seekers printed and mailed to potential employers.

Today, they are often submitted through online platforms, and their format can vary greatly, including PDFs, LinkedIn profiles, and personal website portfolios. This digital shift has introduced new opportunities for candidates to showcase their skills and experiences more creatively and interactively, using multimedia elements such as videos, hyperlinks, and digital portfolios.

Moreover, the digital age has increased the importance of keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) in resumes. Many companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they ever reach a human recruiter. This has necessitated a strategic use of job-related keywords in resumes to ensure they pass through these automated screenings.

The focus has also shifted towards more personalized and tailored resumes that are specifically crafted for each job application, highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills in alignment with the job description.

Choosing the Right Format: Pros and Cons of Chronological, Functional, and Combination Resumes, with Guidance on Who Should Use Which

Chronological Resume

Pros: This format lists your work history in reverse chronological order, focusing on a continuous employment timeline. It’s straightforward and preferred by many employers as it easily outlines your progression in your career field.
Cons: It can highlight employment gaps or a lack of relevant experience for career changers.
Who Should Use It: Best for those with a strong work history directly relevant to the job they’re applying for.

Functional Resume

Pros: Emphasizes skills and abilities over chronological work history, making it suitable for individuals with gaps in employment, those changing careers, or recent graduates with limited work experience.
Cons: Some recruiters might find it less transparent or harder to assess your career trajectory.
Who Should Use It: Ideal for career changers, individuals re-entering the workforce, or those with a diverse skill set that is not directly tied to a specific job path.

Combination Resume

Pros: This format merges the functional and chronological resume styles by highlighting relevant skills and experiences while also providing a detailed work history. It offers flexibility in showcasing both your abilities and your career progression.
Cons: Can be longer than other resumes and may require more effort to balance and structure effectively.
Who Should Use It: Suitable for highly experienced professionals, individuals with a mix of skills and experiences relevant to the job, or those with a few notable achievements in their career.

Design and Layout Tips

Visual Appeal Without Overdoing It: Tips for a Professional, Clean Design that Works with ATS Systems

Creating a resume that is both visually appealing and ATS-friendly is essential in the modern job market. A couple of things to keep in mind when you write your resume:

Simplicity is Key: Use a clean, professional layout with standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman to ensure readability by both ATS systems and human recruiters. Stick to a font size between 10-12 points for body text and 14-16 points for headers.
Avoid Graphics for Key Information: ATS systems cannot read text embedded in images. Ensure all crucial information (contact information, work experience, education) is in plain text.
Consistent Formatting: Use bullet points for lists, consistent date formatting (e.g., MM/YYYY), and clear headings for sections such as Education, Work Experience, and Skills.
Whitespace: Use margins and spacing between sections judiciously to make your resume easy on the eyes. Adequate whitespace helps guide the reader’s attention to the most important information.
File Format: Submit your resume in a .pdf format to maintain the design and layout across different devices, unless the job listing specifies otherwise. Some ATS systems prefer .docx files, so follow application instructions carefully.

Using Infographics and Visuals: When and How to Use Visual Elements to Represent Your Skills and Achievements (for Creative Fields)

For job seekers in creative fields, infographics and visual elements can be powerful tools to showcase skills and achievements. Here are some points to consider:

Know Your Audience: Use visuals if you are applying within creative industries like graphic design, marketing, or advertising. For more traditional fields, it’s best to stick with a text-based resume.
Complement, Don’t Replace: Visuals should complement the text in your resume, not replace it. Ensure that your use of infographics adds value and clarity to your achievements and skills.
Keep it Professional: Any visual elements should maintain a professional appearance. Use a cohesive color scheme and clean lines to ensure that your resume looks organized and visually appealing.
Use Charts and Graphs Wisely: Simple charts or graphs can effectively showcase your proficiency in various skills or the impact of your past work (e.g., sales growth, project timelines). Ensure they are easy to understand at a glance.
Infographic Resume Version: Consider creating two versions of your resume—one traditional text-based version for ATS compatibility and one infographic version for portfolio inclusion or direct submissions to hiring managers.
Tools for Creation: Utilize design tools like Adobe Illustrator or Canva to create your visuals. These tools offer templates and elements that can help you design professional-looking infographics.

Beyond the Basics

Incorporating Testimonials: A Guide on Including Brief Quotes from References or LinkedIn Recommendations

Adding testimonials to your resume can provide a unique edge by offering potential employers a glimpse into your work ethic and accomplishments through the eyes of others. Here’s how to incorporate them effectively:

Select Testimonials Wisely: Choose quotes that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, highlighting your skills, achievements, or work ethic. They should come from credible sources such as former supervisors, colleagues, or clients.
Keep It Brief: Use short, impactful quotes. A sentence or two is enough. This ensures your resume remains concise and the testimonials do not overshadow your own qualifications.
Contextualize: Briefly introduce the person providing the testimonial, including their position and relation to you, to add credibility. For example, “John Doe, former manager at XYZ Corp, says…”
Placement: Consider placing testimonials in a separate section titled “Testimonials” or “What Others Say” if space allows, or integrate them into the relevant experience or skills section.
Permission: Always ask for permission from the individuals whose testimonials you wish to use. This is not only courteous but also ensures they are comfortable vouching for you.

The Importance of Keywords: How to Effectively Use Job Description Keywords to Pass ATS Scans, Including Tools to Help Identify Them

Keywords are critical in tailoring your resume to both the job description and the ATS systems that many employers use to screen applications. Here’s how to effectively incorporate them:

Analyze Job Descriptions: Carefully read job postings you’re interested in and note the skills, qualifications, and experiences that are frequently mentioned. These are likely the keywords that the ATS is programmed to scan for.
Use Job Titles and Skill Sets: Include the exact job title you’re applying for somewhere in your resume. Also, list relevant skills and technologies as they are described in the job description.
Be Specific: Use specific terms rather than general ones. For example, if your previous role involves “content marketing”, then you should use that specific term rather than just “marketing”.
Tools to Identify Keywords: Utilize online tools such as Jobscan, which compares your resume against a job description to identify which keywords you’re missing. Other tools like WordClouds can also help by generating a visual representation of the most frequent words in a job description, highlighting potential keywords.
Integrate Naturally: Ensure that the keywords you incorporate into your resume flow naturally within the text. Stuffing keywords awkwardly can make your resume difficult to read and may be flagged by more sophisticated ATS systems.
Update Regularly: Tailor your resume with keywords for each application based on the specific job description. This increases your chances of passing through ATS filters and catching the eye of hiring managers.

The Final Touches

Proofreading Techniques: Advanced Tips for Proofreading and Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Proofreading your resume is a crucial step to ensure it is free of errors and presents your information in the best possible light. Here are some advanced tips for thorough proofreading:

Read Out Loud: Reading your resume aloud can help catch errors that your eyes might skip over when reading silently. This technique is particularly effective for identifying awkward phrasing or grammatical inconsistencies.
Use Printouts: Sometimes, reading a printed version of your resume can help you spot mistakes you might miss on a screen. The change in format can provide a fresh perspective.
Reverse Reading: Start from the last sentence of your resume and read each sentence in reverse order. This technique breaks the logical flow of the content and focuses your attention on the grammar and sentence structure.
Peer Review: Having a trusted friend or colleague review your resume can provide a new set of eyes to catch mistakes you might have overlooked. Choose someone with strong editing skills or familiarity with your industry.
Take Breaks: Avoid proofreading your entire resume in one go. Take breaks to rest your eyes and mind. Coming back with a fresh perspective can make it easier to spot errors.

Online Tools and Resources: A Curated List of Tools and Websites for Grammar Checking, Resume Design, and Keyword Optimization

Maximizing the effectiveness of your resume involves not just writing and proofreading but also design and optimization. Here’s a list of online tools and resources that can help:

Grammar and Style Checking:

Grammarly: A popular tool that checks for grammar, punctuation, and style errors, offering suggestions for improvement. It’s available as a web tool, a desktop app, and a browser extension.
Hemingway App: Helps simplify and clarify your writing. It highlights complex sentences and suggests alternatives for a clearer and more concise resume.

Resume Design:

Canva: Offers a wide range of resume templates that can be customized to suit your needs, ideal for creating visually appealing resumes especially for those in creative fields.
Adobe Spark: Another tool for creating professionally designed resumes with customizable templates, allowing for the addition of visuals and different layouts.

Keyword Optimization:

Jobscan: Compares your resume against job descriptions, providing feedback on how well it matches and suggesting keywords to add.
WordClouds.com: Generates a word cloud from job descriptions, visually highlighting the most frequently used words so you can ensure these are included in your resume.

Resume Building and Feedback:

Zety: A resume builder that offers tips and templates, making it easier to create a professional-looking resume quickly.
Enhancv: Provides a platform for building a resume with the addition of sections for testimonials and unique strengths, along with feedback on content.

Using these tools and techniques to apply the final touches ensures your resume is not only error-free but also professionally designed and optimized for job applications. Whether you’re targeting a role in a creative industry or a more traditional field, the right resources can make a significant difference in how your resume is perceived by potential employers.

Tailoring Your Resume

Customization Is Key: Step-by-Step Guide on Tailoring Your Resume for Different Job Applications, Highlighting the Importance of Personalization

Customizing your resume for each job application is crucial for standing out in a competitive job market. Here’s how you can personalize your resume effectively:

Analyze the Job Description: Start by carefully reading the job listing. Identify the skills, experiences, and qualifications that are emphasized as most important.
Match Your Skills and Experiences: Align your resume to reflect the job description. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the employer’s requirements. Use the same keywords and phrases used in the job listing to improve your resume’s ATS compatibility.
Prioritize Relevant Information: Reorder your resume sections or bullet points to bring the most relevant information to the top. For example, if a job emphasizes leadership experience, ensure your leadership roles are prominently featured.
Quantify Achievements: Where possible, quantify your achievements with numbers and data to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. This makes your contributions more tangible and compelling.
Update Your Summary or Objective: Tailor your resume summary or objective to echo the tone and requirements of the job you’re applying for. Make it clear why you’re a great fit for this specific role.

The Role of Cover Letters: Briefly Touch on How to Create a Cohesive Application Package with Your Cover Letter

A cover letter complements your resume by providing a narrative of your professional journey and explaining why you’re interested in and qualified for the specific role. Here’s how to ensure your cover letter and resume form a cohesive application package:

Reflect Consistency: Use the same header, font, and design for both your resume and cover letter to present a unified and professional appearance.
Customize Content: Tailor your cover letter to address the specific job and company. Highlight how your experiences and skills make you a perfect fit for the position, referring to key points from the job description.
Showcase Your Personality: While your resume is more formal and fact-based, your cover letter offers a chance to show a bit of your personality and enthusiasm for the role.
Link to Your Resume: Use your cover letter to create interest in your resume. Mention that your resume further details your qualifications and achievements, encouraging the hiring manager to review it.

Conclusion

This article has provided a comprehensive guide to crafting a resume that stands out, from understanding the basics and design principles to the nuances of tailoring your resume and complementing it with a cover letter. Remember:

Resumes are dynamic: They should evolve with your career and be tailored for each job application.
Personalization is key: Customizing your resume and cover letter can significantly increase your chances of securing an interview.
Leverage online tools: Utilize available resources for grammar checking, design, and keyword optimization to enhance your resume.

View resume writing not just as a task but as an opportunity to showcase your professional growth and potential. With the right approach and attention to detail, your resume can open doors to new career opportunities.